All symptoms
Ear scratching, head shaking or head tilt
Ear infections are painful and almost always secondary to something else. A persistent head tilt is a separate problem and needs a same-day look.
This page points to vet-written guides. If a sign is sudden, severe or worsening, contact your vet rather than reading first.
Guides that cover this
Ear irritation, recurring infections, and the difference between an ear problem and a balance problem.
- Ear infections in dogsSymptom guide · SymptomsA vet explains why some dogs get ear infections again and again, what ear cytology tells us, and why treating the underlying cause matters more than just clearing the infection.
- Canine vestibular diseaseCondition guide · NeurologicalA sudden head tilt, loss of balance and flickering eyes can be frightening. Here's what vestibular disease means and how it is managed.
- Is my dog sick? When to call the vet or seek emergency careSymptom guide · SymptomsA vet-written guide to deciding whether your dog needs emergency care, a same-day call to your vet clinic, or close monitoring at home.