That head shake means something: ear infections 101
Written by Dr. Cassie Knapp, DVM
Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, UrgentPaws
Published August 11, 2026
The short version
- Ear infections are genuinely painful. Head shaking and scratching are not habits — they are your pet telling you something hurts.
- A veterinarian needs to look inside the ear before treating. Some medications are harmful if the eardrum is ruptured.
- Do not use leftover drops from a previous infection or a home remedy. The wrong treatment makes the next examination harder to interpret.
- A head tilt, loss of balance, or an eye flicking side to side suggests deeper involvement and should be seen promptly.
What you are seeing
- Head shaking, or tilting the head to one side
- Scratching at the ear, or rubbing it along furniture and carpet
- A noticeable odor
- Discharge — brown, yellow, or black — or visible redness inside the flap
- Flinching, pulling away, or crying when you touch the ear or the area beneath it
- A swollen, spongy ear flap, which can follow vigorous head shaking
Why they happen so often here
An ear infection is usually a symptom rather than the whole story. The overgrowth of yeast or bacteria that produces the discharge and the smell tends to be secondary to something else: allergies, moisture, ear anatomy, or occasionally a foreign body.
Allergies are the most common underlying driver we see, and Southern California’s long allergy season means we see a lot of them. Add swimming, beach trips, and dogs with heavy drop ears that hold moisture and warmth, and the conditions are close to ideal. Foxtails deserve a special mention — a grass awn in the ear canal causes sudden, intense, one-sided distress and needs removing.
What treatment looks like
Most ear infections are handled in a single visit: examination, a sample, a thorough cleaning, and medication chosen for what we actually find. Pain relief matters here more than people expect — inflamed ears hurt, and a comfortable pet is far easier to medicate at home.
Finish the full course even after the signs disappear. Stopping early is the most common reason an infection returns within weeks, and repeated cycles can cause the canal to thicken permanently, making every future infection harder to resolve.
When to be seen promptly
- A head tilt, stumbling, circling, or eyes flicking side to side — this suggests the middle or inner ear
- Sudden, severe, one-sided pain, particularly after a walk in dry grass
- An ear flap that has swollen up firm and fluid-filled
- Any discharge containing blood
- A pet in enough discomfort that they cannot settle or sleep
Preventing the next one
- Dry the ears gently after swimming or bathing
- Use a veterinary ear cleaner at the interval your vet recommends — not more, since over-cleaning irritates
- Never insert a cotton bud into the canal; it pushes debris deeper
- Treat the underlying allergy if there is one, as that is what stops the cycle
- Check ears after walks in dry grass during foxtail season
Dr. Cassie Knapp, DVM
Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Cassie Knapp is a veterinarian with 17 years of clinical experience and extensive emergency room and urgent care experience. See full bio
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Andrea B.
I can’t say enough positive things about this animal urgent care! I called ahead because my cat was in respiratory distress, and they were ready and waiting for him the moment we arrived. They immediately took him back and made sure he received the care he needed during a very scary situation. What impressed me even more was the level of care after we left. They checked in on him the next day to see how he was doing. When we found out he had a bacterial infection and my other cat began showing symptoms, they were able to help with her as well. They even helped us figure out that our new rescue kitten was most likely the carrier of the infection. On top of all of that, the staff took the time to show me the best way to administer medication to my very sassy and uncooperative cats—which was incredibly helpful! From the moment I called, I felt like they genuinely cared about my cats and wanted to help our entire furry family. Their compassion, responsiveness, follow-up, and willingness to go above and beyond meant so much to us. I am incredibly grateful for the care they provided and would absolutely recommend them to anyone needing urgent care for their pet.
Holly H.
Truly the best vet experience I’ve had (and my dog has been to the vet A LOT). Chloe , the VTA, helped me from the time I called through the end of my visit. She was incredibly kind, attentive, empathetic, and understanding and made sure both my dog and me were comfortable. The doctor and vet tech, Sydney and Dr. Colon were both knowledgeable, thorough, answered all of my questions and took great care of my dog and were able to successfully treat him . They were also both incredibly kind. Communication was clear and they were upfront about the cost, which was an absolutely reasonable price . If your pet needs urgent care, come here! Thank you team!
Lauren R.
The best urgent veterinary experience I have had in a very long time. My dog had a suspected infection, but my vet couldn’t get her in and they recommended urgent paws. Since it wasn’t life-threatening, I felt like I could wait until 3 PM to get in. I was able to reserve my appointment time at 3 PM. Walked right in as soon as they opened and they took me immediately to a room no waiting whatsoever. The facility was very clean and modern and I liked that I could see them pulling my dogs blood work since the patient room doors have a window to see the technician area. The staff was all really friendly. You could tell they really love the dogs they were working on. I was kept informed of the progress and it all went very quickly, believe it or not I was in and out in under two hours. That never happens at an Emergency vet! Prices were about what you can expect to see an Emergency Vet. I don’t hope to be back, but I take great comfort in knowing this practice is available in the community and will be there when I need it. Thank you to the staff for taking great care of my Birdie girl!
Charlene C.
The last time we had to take one of our dogs in for urgent care, we waited literally 4 hours. My husband found UrgentPaws and we said we would come here instead for the next time something happened. Well that day came this past Sunday. We took our 15 year old Shih Tzu in at 10AM as soon as they opened. We got a room right away and were in and out within an hour . The following day, we even received a follow up in to ask how she was doing. That was the most amazing experience we’ve ever had. So glad they opened so close to us.
Erin V.
I took my 17-year-old cat to UrgentPaws for constipation, and the staff was so friendly and kind to all of us. Dr. Lauren Banales was really sweet and understanding about his situation. She put together a treatment plan just for him, and thankfully he’s doing better since we went. The office is super clean and well-equipped. We got his blood work and ultrasound results the same day. Thanks to everyone at UrgentPaws for making a stressful situation a bit easier.
Jimmy B.
The Staff here is very Professional, They give Great Advice and treat your pet with the upmost care. I will highly recommend this place to anyone who needs urgent care for their pet.
Ava T.
I took my cat to Urgent Paws to be seen for an eye and ear concern. I was immediately greeted by Christine (VT) and taken to an exam room. Christine was friendly and welcoming while explaining the services offered, including fees. Dr. Colon examined my sweet boy and was just as friendly and welcoming as Christine. My cat has been known to be slightly skittish during vet visits, but he was calm as could be during the whole process. I appreciated Christine and Dr. Colon explaining each step and answering all of my questions. Amazing service by staff who made it apparent they love their jobs.
Cori S.
Dr Grenus and the team at this urgent care were amazing with my dog Renee. They made me and my dog comfortable and explained everything so clearly and we're very helpful. I 100% would recommend anyone to take there pet to this urgent care.
Crystal Z.
BEST VET CARE EVER!!! I'm extremely ashamed that it's taken me so long to write this, but I have been thinking about UrgentPaws for months. They set the standard for exemplary care! Pros: *Quick service: I came during the holiday season and waited barely 5 minutes to get into a room *Caring staff: My cat didn't want to leave! Everyone was cuddling him and giving him treats. *Transparent care: all the work is done in a room surrounded by windows, owners can see exactly what's happening and more importantly how their pets are being treated! *Rational doctors: yes that's right! The vet doesn't push unnecessary products or services. They talk through your concerns and recommend what's right for you and your situation. It's not a big sales pitch; it's genuine concern! Cons: I wish they were my primary care vets instead of only an urgent care. I would exclusively go to them. This is the best experience I've had in over 20 years of bringing my dogs or cats for vet care. My little ones are all healthy right now (fingers crossed), but it's a huge relief for me to know that if something happens, I can get care at UrgentPaws. It's one less thing to stress about during the anxiety of sickness or injury.
Marisa M.
We took our pup to Urgent Paws for a paw injury, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. The entire staff was wonderful. From the vet techs to Dr. Sweitzer, everyone was patient, gentle, and genuinely attuned to our pup's needs. They followed our lead on what would keep her calm while they wrapped her injury, which made all the difference for our anxious pup. Dr. Sweitzer was especially fantastic. She encouraged all our questions and took the time to answer each one thoroughly and clearly. Her explanations were so educational, and you could tell she genuinely cared about our pup's wellbeing. It's so rare to find a vet's office that combines this level of compassion with thoroughness. If we lived nearby, Dr. Sweitzer would absolutely be our go-to vet. Highly recommend!
Jennifer J.
I took my 17 year old dog named Goofy to be put to sleep. They met us in the parking lot. I had him in a wagon and they pulled him inside to a very comfortable room. I felt at peace the moment we got there. The staff was so compassionate and empathetic. We spent time with him and they gave us a remote that rang the vet to come in to start medication. He had already been prepped with the catheter at the beginning of our visit. The Vet was so empathetic and sweet with Goofy. He treated him as if it were his own. I recommend this urgent care if you care about what type of care your animal receives! I would use them again!!
Lucy S.
I found this clinic on Google because my dog was having a sudden allergic reaction starting last Thursday and I needed help urgently. I'm very satisfied with my experience. My primary pet clinic had prescribed a liquid steroid, but after taking it, my dog threw up three times on Saturday. Since last Thursday, he had been extremely itchy, crying through the night, scratching nonstop, trembling, and barely sleeping. By Sunday morning, he was trembling so much from the itchiness that I decided to look for another clinic and brought him here. They saw us right away. We met with the technician first, then spoke with the doctor. After discussing and explaning his symptoms everything, the doctor prescribed a steroid tablet and gave us a clear, detailed treatment plan. The doctor answered all of my questions thoroughly and confidently, which really helped me feel more at ease. I started following the plan yesterday afternoon, and my dog finally slept through the night for the first time in four days😭😭😭. Today, he was feeling so much better that he just even brought me a toy and wanted to play!!!! He had lost one pound in just four days, so I was really worried, but seeing him regain his energy made me so happy. I’m very grateful for the care we received here and would definitely recommend this clinic!!!!!!
Ana C.
This is the third time we needed to come here and are pleased with the service every time. The staff and doctors are so caring, respectful and friendly. They go over the plan with you before they proceed and go over the low and high cost of the bill before treating our boy. Will come back for sure.
Summer R.
I was able to get in same day at Urgent Paws in Rancho Cucamonga when my 7 year old Lab (Cleo) seriously injured her back leg. The customer service and care we received were truly above and beyond anything I could have asked for. The entire staff treated us with such kindness, compassion, and genuine care. They were able to treat Cleo, help us understand the situation, and refer us to an Orthopedic Specialist for the next steps in her treatment. The following day, I received a follow-up call to check on how Cleo was doing, which meant a lot to us. I also received a quick response when I needed her medical records sent over to the Orthopedic Specialist. I would highly recommend Urgent Paws in RC to anyone. thank you so much to the entire staff! We truly appreciate everything you did for our sweet girl! 🩷
Elizabeth M.
I took my 17 year old dog for ear infections and used the save my place on the website it was great. Everyone was very nice to us they are not pushy with testing and things you don’t need. We saw Dr. Wong super nice. Pricing is reasonable. Most likely I will take my girlie back for her recheck. I would definitely recommend and I have been a frequent flyer to emergency vets!
Jacky O.
The care I received here was incredible… we have fed this cat for 6months now… and noticed 2 days straight she wouldn’t eat … also when I drove up to the drive way she didn’t move. After capturing , we came here! The vet pretty much told me from the start she would need to be hospitalized. She still ran test, and it was a lot more affordable then the hospital. Money aside, they even shaved her down and gave her a good cleaning. She had maggots growing at her eyes … just really rough shape. Where they treat the animals is in the center of the clinic, everything is windows. I really appreciate being able to see what they are doing. Not saying they are malicious, but something about being able to see your pet during their treatment , just gives more peace of mind. The office is very clean everything is well kept up. Honestly I was suppose to go to another hospital, but now they close at 7, but found this place instead. Honestly, everything worked out for the better. The vet even called a hospital and gave the vet on call a whole walk through of the case. You don’t understand how wonderful that was. To be referred for further treatment and not have to sit their and try to explain so much information. It’s a complicated case, she was on the phone for at least 15 mins… she didn’t have to do that. I am just so grateful, moving forward this is my new emergency go to. I can’t say enough good things about this place , hence the long review. Anyways, thank you guys !!!! Fluffers is now part of the family, long journey ahead, but will be given a fighting chance
Matt S.
We took our very sick cat here and were instantly put in our own private room. There is no waiting room they take you back immediately. All the staff was attentive and caring. The doctors are awesome and the staff is awesome we were worried sick and everyone there helped us know our baby was getting taken care of would definetly recommend to family and friends. Thank you Jimmie, Dr. Cabrera, Val , Dr. Patel and Sam!
Andrea C.
I couldn’t get an appointment with my regular vet, so I found UrgentPaws online and was able to get in right away when it was time to say goodbye to my sweet 16½-year-old dog, Stella. From the moment we arrived, the entire staff was kind, compassionate, and respectful. They brought us into a quiet, comfortable room with a couch, soft blankets, and calming music playing in the background. They even offered Stella whipped cream and a Hershey’s Kiss as a special treat. She was too sick to enjoy them, but the gesture was incredibly thoughtful and showed how much they cared. They carefully explained the process, went over the options for her ashes, and even collected payment beforehand so I wouldn’t have to think about that afterward. Although it was one of the hardest days of my life, I’m so grateful for the kindness and compassion they showed Stella and our family. They made sure she was comfortable and at peace, and I’ll always be thankful for the care they gave her in her final moments.
Carrie V.
My son and I came in yesterday to have our dog of 14 years euthanized. I was so impressed with the staff and doctor working when we came in. It is such a horrible time for any family to go through but they were so sensitive to our situation. They made it as bearable as it could possibly be.
Madeleine K.
Really impressed by this place and the excellent and caring staff. We needed help fast on a Saturday when our regular vet was closed. Kira welcomed us into an examination room right away and took a very thorough history, and then Dr Martinez did a very thorough exam, explaining everything and asking lots of thoughtful questions. Everyone was kind and supportive, yet swift and efficient. The atmosphere of the place is very calm and everyone was caring and supportive. The cost of the medicine was no more than through our regular vet. I would definitely come here again. Highly recommended.