Antibiotics for Canine Ear Infections

Ear infections can be a common problem for dogs, especially those with floppy ears or with a lot of fur in their ears. If your dog has an ear infection, you will need to get antibiotics from your veterinarian.

  1. Oral Antibiotics

    • Clavamox and Baytril are two kinds of antibiotics that can be used to treat a dog's ear infection. Baytril is more powerful and usually is only used for serious infections that other antibiotics have failed to wipe out.

    Dosage

    • The dosage depends on the size of the dog. The Clavamox oral dosage usually is 6.25 mg per pound. Baytril usually is 5.7 mg per pound twice a day.

    Duration

    • The antibiotics usually are given to the dog from seven to 12 days. Give the antibiotics for the entire time recommended by the vet, even if symptoms have cleared up.

    Drops

    • Ear drops should be given along with oral antibiotics. This will help clean out the ear and help remove the initial cause of the infection.

    Creams And Ointments

    • The vet may also prescribe a cream or ointment. There are several kinds, and they usually can treat bacterial, yeast and fungal infections.

    Topical Treatments

    • Any topical treatment should be squirted into the ear, and then you can fold the ear over and massage the solution gently into the ear. The dog will shake out the excess, but this is expected.