Ask the Experts: Stinky Ears Might Signal Infection

Your Pet Question:

My three-year-old Lab/shepherd mix has smelly, itchy ears with excessive brown stinky wax, but no mites. What causes this? And what can I do to prevent this other than daily cleaning? The itching drives her nuts and the smell is atrocious!

Kit Reiss, Toronto

The Expert Says:

Sounds like an ear infection!! Visit your vet right away as this can become a serious chronic condition if not treated properly. Labs are prone to ear infections as they have floppy ears that once wet, don't dry out thoroughly or allow good air flow through them which can breed infection. With proper treatment you can cure this problem, and once the infection is gone, the smell will also disappear.

Dr. Gus Stringel is a veterinarian with Smiths Falls and Merrickville Veterinary Services, Ontario and also works with Big Sky Ranch Animal Sanctuary.