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HEAR Now: FAQs about Ear Infections in Dogs - Part 1

Your Vet Wants You to Know

Release Date: 10/08/2025

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In this episode, Dr. Mandy Sorensen reviews major One Health updates, including a sharp rise in avian influenza cases, ongoing concerns about New World Screwworm, and important winter safety risks for pets. The conversation highlights the scale of recent poultry losses and spillover risks to mammals, including pets. New conditional treatment options for screwworm in dogs are approved, but early recognition and reporting are crucial. The episode closes with reflections on global disease surveillance through the WHO, collaboration, and encouraging developments in public health leadership from...

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More Episodes

Ear infections are one of the most common and frustrating reasons pet owners bring their dogs to the veterinarian. They’re painful, smelly, and confusing. When the ear infection keeps coming back, it can feel like you’ll never get ahead of them.

This episode is part of the HEAR NOW series (Help, Educate, Assess, Regulate), created in partnership with Merck Animal Health. In this two-part series, expert guest Dr. Christine McKinney, Merck Animal Health Small Animal Dermatology Specialist, joins to answer the most frequently asked questions about dog ear infections to give pet owners the clear, evidence-based information they need.

  • Ear infections are almost always secondary to primary disease, most often allergies.

  • Floppy ears and swimming don’t cause infections alone, but they can make them worse.

  • Food allergies are less common than many people think, but worth investigating properly.

  • Cleaning helps, but it’s not enough on its own—over-cleaning can even harm.

  • Partnership with your vet is the most important tool in breaking the cycle.

Resources & Links:

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.  

By doing so, we strive for:
1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,  
2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,  
3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and  
4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.  

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Mometamax Single™ (gentamicin, posaconazole, and mometasone furoate otic suspension)  - IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Mometamax SingleTM is for otic use in dogs only. Do not use in cats. Mometamax Single should be administered by veterinary personnel. Do not use in dogs with known tympanic membrane perforation. The integrity of the tympanic membrane should be confirmed before administering the product. Reevaluate the dog if hearing loss or signs of vestibular dysfunction are observed during treatment. Do not use in dogs with known or suspected hypersensitivity to gentamicin, posaconazole, or mometasone furoate. Avoid contact with eyes. For complete instructions and safety information, refer to the product label.

Always talk with your veterinarian about whether this option is right for your pet.