Symptom Guide • Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
Ear infections in German Shepherds
Ear infections (medical name: otitis externa or media) are very common, especially in dogs with floppy or hairy ears. They're often painful, smelly, and recurring — but most respond well to prompt treatment with the right medication.
About German Shepherds
Intelligent, loyal, athletic working dogs. Large breed with a sensitive GI tract and a predisposition to certain orthopedic issues.
Health predispositions in German Shepherds
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Gastrointestinal sensitivity and food intolerance
- Environmental allergies
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Predispositions don't mean your individual German Shepherd will develop any of these conditions. They just mean these are seen more often in the breed than in the general dog population.
Common causes of ear infections
These are common causes across all breeds, including German Shepherds:
- Yeast overgrowth (especially in humid climates)
- Bacterial infection
- Ear mites (more common in cats and young animals)
- Foreign body (e.g. grass seed)
- Allergies (food or environmental — often the underlying cause of recurrence)
- Excess moisture (after swimming or bathing)
- Skin folds in floppy-eared breeds
- Endocrine disease (hypothyroidism, Cushing's)
Red flags — call a vet immediately
- ⚠ Sudden severe head shaking or pawing at the ear
- ⚠ Head tilt, loss of balance, or unequal pupils (possible inner ear involvement)
- ⚠ Bleeding from the ear
- ⚠ Refusing to be touched on the head
- ⚠ Mass or growth in the ear canal
Any of these in your German Shepherd means stop reading the internet and call a vet or go to an emergency clinic. RexVet can help triage by video if you're not sure — but emergencies need in-person care.
When telehealth works — and when it doesn't
A RexVet video visit is excellent for ear infections — your vet can often see the outer ear clearly, identify the type of infection, and prescribe the right medication. Most uncomplicated ear infections resolve with 7-14 days of treatment.
Start a $64.99 video visit →In-person care is needed for: severe head tilt or balance issues (possible deep ear involvement), bleeding from the ear, suspected foreign body in the canal, recurrent infections that need culture/sensitivity testing, or chronic infections that may need video otoscopy and deep cleaning.
What you can do at home for your German Shepherd
- 1 Do not insert cotton swabs into the ear canal
- 2 Keep ears dry, especially after bathing or swimming
- 3 Photograph the ear (outside and inside flap) to show your vet
- 4 Note the smell, discharge color, and how long it's been going on
- 5 Continue any current ear cleaner only if your vet has previously approved it
Not sure if it's serious?
Talk to a licensed RexVet veterinarian by secure video. For $64.99, you'll get a real opinion on your German Shepherd's ear infections — and same-day prescriptions through RexVetRx if needed.
Book a vet visit — $64.99Ear infections in German Shepherds
Frequently asked questions
Is ear infections normal in German Shepherds?
Isolated, mild ear infections can happen in any dog including German Shepherds. What matters is the pattern and severity. German Shepherds have some breed-specific predispositions — hip and elbow dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy are common — so it's worth running anything persistent past a licensed vet.
When should I worry about my German Shepherd's ear infections?
Red flags to call a vet immediately: Sudden severe head shaking or pawing at the ear; Head tilt, loss of balance, or unequal pupils (possible inner ear involvement); Bleeding from the ear. If your German Shepherd shows any of these, treat it as urgent — don't wait.
Can a RexVet online vet help with ear infections in my German Shepherd?
Yes for many cases. A RexVet video visit is excellent for ear infections — your vet can often see the outer ear clearly, identify the type of infection, and prescribe the right medication. Most uncomplicated ear infections resolve with 7-14 days of treatment. A RexVet video visit costs $64.99 and a licensed vet can prescribe medications, suggest in-home care, or tell you when in-person care is required.
What can I do at home for my German Shepherd's ear infections?
Until you can speak with a vet: Do not insert cotton swabs into the ear canal; Keep ears dry, especially after bathing or swimming; Photograph the ear (outside and inside flap) to show your vet. Never give human medications to your pet without veterinary guidance.
Are German Shepherds more likely to get ear infections?
German Shepherds have some breed-specific health predispositions — including Hip and elbow dysplasia, Degenerative myelopathy, Gastrointestinal sensitivity and food intolerance — that may make certain symptoms more common. A licensed vet can tell you whether what you're seeing is breed-related or something else.
When does my German Shepherd need to be seen in person instead of online?
In-person care is needed for: severe head tilt or balance issues (possible deep ear involvement), bleeding from the ear, suspected foreign body in the canal, recurrent infections that need culture/sensitivity testing, or chronic infections that may need video otoscopy and deep cleaning.
Ear infections in other breeds
Other symptoms in German Shepherds
Medical review by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
Chief Executive Officer & Lead Veterinarian, RexVet. Licensed in Florida, New York, and Virginia.
This page is an educational reference and does not replace veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your individual pet's symptoms.