Dog Ear Infections in Florida

Red flags that mean call a vet immediately: Severe pain — your dog cries or snaps when the ear is touched; Sudden head tilt (possible inner ear or vestibular involvement); Loss of balance, falling, or circling. Florida-specific factor: Florida's humidity and heat plus widespread swimming culture make ear infections one of the most common conditions in Florida dogs.

Yes — RexVet is a Florida-licensed veterinary practice. RexVet video visits with a Florida-licensed veterinarian run about 8 AM to 11 PM Eastern, every day — overnight, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital. Your RexVet vet can examine your dog by video and either treat the issue, prescribe medication where state rules allow, or refer to in-person care if needed. Visits are $64.99 flat.

For many cases, yes. RexVet manages straightforward ear infections via video — antibiotic and antifungal ear drops, ear cleaners, and ongoing maintenance plans for dogs with recurrent infections. We can also coach you through proper ear cleaning technique by video and check whether you need an in-person visit for cytology. A $64.99 video visit gets you a licensed Florida vet who can recommend home care, prescribe where medication is appropriate and state rules allow, or tell you when in-person care is required. If the veterinarian prescribes, a pharmacy fills the prescription and a pharmacy transfer fee applies.

First-time or unusual infections benefit from in-person ear cytology to identify the specific bacteria or yeast — this guides drug choice. Inner-ear involvement (head tilt, balance loss) needs urgent in-person evaluation. Aural hematomas (swollen ear flap from headshaking) typically need drainage. If your dog needs in-person care, Florida has multiple emergency clinics — but RexVet can help triage by video first so you don't waste a trip if it's not needed.

Florida's humidity and heat plus widespread swimming culture make ear infections one of the most common conditions in Florida dogs. Pseudomonas (a hard-to-treat bacterium) is over-represented in Florida cases. Any Florida dog who swims should have ear cleaner used after every swim session.

Until you can speak with a vet: Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner weekly (never water — water in ear canals can worsen infections); Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing; Don't use cotton swabs in the ear canal — they push debris in deeper. Never give human medications to your dog without veterinary guidance.

In a $64.99 video visit, a veterinarian licensed in Florida can recommend prescription diets and handle refill requests. If the veterinarian decides medication is appropriate, they can prescribe where state rules allow; some medications need an in-person exam first. In Florida, a veterinarian who has seen your pet only by video may prescribe only FDA-approved animal drugs used as labeled, for up to 14 days (1 month for flea-and-tick-only products), and cannot renew without an in-person exam. If the veterinarian prescribes, a pharmacy fills the prescription and a pharmacy transfer fee applies.

You choose the visit time when you book — video visits run about 8 AM to 11 PM Eastern, every day. There are no membership fees, no monthly subscriptions, and no surge pricing on evenings or weekends — every visit is $64.99 flat.