Ear inflammation can cause head shaking, itching, redness, odour, discharge and pain when the ear is touched. Bacteria and yeast can contribute to the inflammation, but they are often only part of the problem. Allergy, skin disease, foreign objects and the shape of the ear can be underlying factors.
That is why it is not always right to treat every ear problem the same way. The vet looks down the ear canal and often examines a sample from the ear under the microscope. If the problem keeps coming back, you also need to consider why this particular dog gets recurring inflammation. Too much cleaning or the wrong products can also irritate an already inflamed ear.
Book an appointment if your dog is in pain, has a lot of discharge, a clear odour or recurring problems. If your dog tilts its head, becomes unsteady or is in a lot of pain, it should be seen sooner.