My dog has a smelly ear — is it an ear infection?
Smelly discharge plus head shaking is almost always an ear infection. Waiting can push it from outer ear to middle ear.
Tell crittr what's happening
What to watch for
- Head tilt, balance trouble, or eye flicking (middle-ear spread)
- Dark debris that looks like coffee grounds (possible mites)
- Swollen, hot flap — can be an aural hematoma
Common questions
Can this wait until the morning?
In most cases, yes — a same-day or next-morning vet visit is the right call, not an ER run. Watch the signs listed above. If any of them escalate overnight, escalate too. When in doubt, start the chat.
What symptoms should I watch for?
Three signs worth watching in the next 24–48 hours: Head tilt, balance trouble, or eye flicking (middle-ear spread); Dark debris that looks like coffee grounds (possible mites); Swollen, hot flap — can be an aural hematoma. If any of them show up or get worse, move up one tier (home → vet, vet → ER).
Do I need to pay for a vet visit just to ask?
No. Our triage chat is free — it'll tell you whether a vet visit is actually warranted before you spend anything. If you do need a licensed vet, we connect you to one via Vetster or AirVet in minutes, from your phone.
Can crittr fill a prescription for this?
If a licensed vet prescribes meds during or after triage, yes — Rx orders are routed through our licensed pharmacy partner (Chewy Pharmacy). You can also browse our OTC picks directly; we only stock items our vet advisors actually recommend.