Your veterinarian will give you instructions, if cleaning is needed before ear medications are given. The tip of the ointment tube or dropper should be placed a few millimeters into the ear canal to assure that the medication goes into the ear canal. If the ear is stretched away from the head, the bend in the ear canal will straighten so that the medication can be deposited in the entire ear canal. DO NOT place the long neck of the ointment tube as far as it will go down the ear canal as you could puncture the ear drum with it. If the infection is severe or involves the middle and inner ear, oral medications may also be prescribed.
Surgery is sometimes necessary if the infection is in the middle ear.
Washington State University assumes no liability for injury to you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions or procedures.