Otitis Externa: Canine Swimmer's Ear
- Everwell Pets
- Jul 15
- 7 min read
Natural & Holistic Solutions For Treatment
We love a good summer splash—and our dogs often do too. There’s something magical about a pup bounding into a lake, river, or even a backyard kiddie pool with total abandon. But sometimes, that fun comes with a not-so-fun consequence: otitis externa, aka inflammation of the outer ear canal.
What is Otitis Externa?
Also known as Swimmer’s ear, Otitis externa is inflammation (and often infection) of the external ear canal. It’s one of the most common ear issues in dogs and can range from mildly irritating to downright miserable.
Though this is a common summer condition in dogs, it doesn’t mean it should be considered normal or expected. This irritation or infection of the outer ear canal often pops up after a splashy good time—thanks to trapped moisture, bacterial or fungal overgrowth, or prolonged heat exposure. But even when water is the trigger, the story rarely ends there. Often, it’s a surface symptom of a deeper internal imbalance.
Water-loving dogs are particularly prone. Why? Because trapped moisture in the ear canal creates a warm, damp environment that’s basically a VIP lounge for bacteria and yeast.
Dogs with floppy ears, like Labradors and Golden Retrievers, are especially susceptible due to reduced airflow and poor drainage in the ear canal. But structural anatomy isn’t the only factor—dogs with a history of allergies, imbalanced gut health, or systemic immune challenges are also more vulnerable. Add in the stress of summer heat and environmental toxins, and you have a perfect storm for inflammation and microbial overgrowth in the ears.
Common Signs of Swimmer’s Ear in Dogs
If your dog’s recently been swimming and is showing signs below, it's time to pay attention:
Head shaking or tilting
Scratching at one ear
Redness, swelling, or a foul odor
Discharge (brown, yellow, or black gunk)
While conventional vets might jump to topical antibiotics, steroids, or antifungals (more about ears here), let’s talk dig into natural alternatives.
Natural Solutions For Swimmer's Ear
From a holistic and energetic viewpoint, swimming-related otitis often reflects Damp Heat accumulation in the ears. When the body’s terrain becomes compromised—whether from excessive heat, chronic dampness, pH imbalance, poor nutrition, or overall systemic stress—opportunistic microbes find the opening they need. That’s why terrain-based medicine doesn’t just focus on the external “water in the ear,” but on the deeper dynamics of immune responsiveness and local tissue resilience. [6][11]
With any ear issue, the goal is not to suppress symptoms, but to support resolution.
That means bolstering the immune system, reducing environmental triggers like humidity or dietary stressors, and opening detox pathways through the gut and lymphatics. Rather than jumping to antibiotics or steroid drops (which may offer quick relief but often disrupt the body’s long-term balance), we turn to homeopathy and gentle herbal care—methods that encourage healing without throwing the gut microbiome into chaos.
Top Homeopathic Remedies for Swimmer’s Ear
Rather than suppressing symptoms, homeopathy offers targeted energetic signaling that encourages the body to rebalance the tissue terrain—gently and precisely.
This is key, especially in recurrent cases where the deeper issue isn’t the pathogen itself but the conditions that allowed it to take hold in the first place.
Homeopathy works by matching a remedy to the total symptom picture—physical, emotional, and environmental triggers. It helps restore integrity to the ear canal without disrupting the gut microbiome, the immune system’s command center.
In acute swimmer’s ear cases—especially those linked to recent exposure to water or environmental stress—homeopathic remedies can work quickly and powerfully.
1. Hepar sulphuris calcareum 30C
For painful, pus-filled ear infections. The dog is extremely sensitive to touch and cold.
Especially useful in recurrent cases with swelling and tenderness.
This is a great choice for hot, painful canal infections post-swimming [1][6].
2. Mercurius solubilis 30C
For red, inflamed ears with foul-smelling or thick discharge. Dogs may seem restless or alternate between hot and cold spots.
A favorite for moist, offensive ear discharges [1][6].
3. Silicea 30C
For recurring ear infections or retained fluid after swimming.
Helps the body “push out” lingering moisture or debris.
Recommended Silicea for sluggish drainage or foreign bodies (including foxtails) [1][6].
4. Chamomilla 30C
For painful ears in cranky, irritable dogs.
Especially helpful in teething puppies or sensitive breeds.
Use this for painful, hot ears in sensitive temperaments [1][6]. This is my go-to if my Doberman has a painful flare-up; it works wonders for him.
5. Pulsatilla 30C
For clingy dogs with thick, yellow discharge (often right-sided).
Better in fresh air, worse in heat or warm rooms.
First choice for ear infections in affectionate, thirstless dogs [1][6].
The Basics of Making a Homeopathic Wet Dose
Once you’ve selected one or two remedies from the list above, it’s time to prepare your wet dose. Start by choosing your bottles—brown or blue glass works best, and I personally prefer 2-ounce sizes for easy dosing and freshness. For dogs, a dropper top is typically the easiest, but some folks swear by spray tops (3–5 spritzes in the mouth instead of a dropper). I use both, depending on which dog I’m treating and what remedy I’m using. For this example, let’s go with the 2-ounce bottle with a dropper.
One dropper full is usually one dose, which is typically about half a dropper for most dogs.
To make the remedy, simply drop three pellets (of each remedy) into the 2-ounce bottle filled with clean water and wait for them to dissolve. It usually takes about 1–10 minutes, depending on the remedy.
The purer the water, the better. At the very least, use filtered water, even if it’s from a Brita. Personally, I like to use reverse osmosis or distilled water for wet dosing. If my dog is particularly under the weather, I’ll go for high-altitude spring water because it has lower deuterium content.
Giving a dose is super simple—just a dropper squirted into the mouth. Lift a lip and aim for the mucous membranes—that’s all you need to do! No need to pry open the mouth and drop it into the back of the throat. The dropper will probably only be half full, but that’s totally fine. Easy and effective!
I keep my homeopathy wet doses on the counter, but I make sure to avoid direct sunlight or excessive heat. Since most of the remedies contain sugar in the pills, they can sometimes go bad or get funky, especially in certain climates. If that’s a concern, the easiest fix is to keep them refrigerated (just make sure to store them in a container that’s easy to access and maneuver). [10]
Homeopathic Dosing Tips:
For acute cases, give one dose every 30 minutes, up to five doses or until significant improvement is seen.
Stop dosing—or space out doses—once improvement begins. Homeopathy works by giving the remedy just enough stimulation to let the body take over the healing process.
When dealing with ear issues, watch for early signs of improvement like:
Less irritability or restlessness
Decreased itching or pacing
Reduced head rubbing on the couch, carpet, or floor
These outward behaviors often resolve before the internal ear irritation fully clears—if they stop, that’s your sign the remedy is working.
If those symptoms return, it may be time for another dose.
No change after five doses? It might be time to try a different remedy.
Consider having several of the listed remedies on hand—you may not know which one will be the match until symptoms appear. Sometimes, one remedy gets things started, but another is needed to complete the healing process.
DIY Herbal Ear Support Drops :
Alongside a well-chosen remedy or two, topical support can make a big difference in keeping swimmer’s ear at bay. Here’s one of my favorite gentle recipes for after-swim care:
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp organic witch hazel (alcohol-free)
1 Tbsp mullein garlic oil
Optional: 1 drop lavender essential oil (ONLY if your dog tolerates oils and you’ve used them before—do NOT use on cats)
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a 1 oz amber glass dropper bottle.
Shake gently before use.
Apply 1–2 drops into each ear after swimming (ONLY if the eardrum is intact).
Gently massage the base of the ear.
Let your dog shake it out—nature does the rest.
What Each Ingredient Does
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
A natural astringent that helps dry out residual water in the ear canal while tightening inflamed tissues. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe swelling and irritation, making it especially useful after swimming or bathing. When using witch hazel for dogs, it’s important to choose an alcohol-free version to avoid further irritation of sensitive ear tissue [7].
Mullein garlic oil
Combines the soothing properties of mullein (Verbascum thapsus) with the antimicrobial strength of garlic (Allium sativum). Mullein calms inflamed mucous membranes and supports lymphatic drainage, which is essential for resolving stagnation in the ear. Garlic acts as a natural antimicrobial and antifungal agent, helping to prevent bacterial and yeast overgrowth. Together, these ingredients work synergistically to support local immune function and promote a balanced, healthy ear environment [8][9].
Caution:
Never use drops if there’s a suspected eardrum rupture (signs include head tilt, severe pain, or balance issues).
Avoid use if the ear has active bleeding, black discharge, or a foreign object.
Always test new topical products on a small area first.
In Summary
Swimmer’s ear doesn’t have to turn summer fun into a season of discomfort. With the right care—rooted in homeopathy, gentle herbal support, and a terrain-based approach—you can help your dog stay comfortable and balanced, even after a big splash. That said, there are times when help from your animal's health and wellness team is necessary.
If your dog is in significant pain, has black, bloody, or unusually thick discharge, or shows signs of a ruptured eardrum, it’s important to seek professional care.
Homeopathy and holistic remedies work best when paired with careful observation, appropriate diagnostics, and thoughtful timing.
Book a Pet Wellness Coaching Session With Dr. Andi Today!
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Sources:
[1] Boericke, W. Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica [2] Clarke, J.H. A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica [3] Murphy, R. Homeopathic Clinical Repertory, 4th Edition [4] Hering, C. The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica [5] Vithoulkas, G. The Science of Homeopathy [6] Macleod, G. Dogs: Homeopathic Remedies, Narayana Verlag [7] Hoffmann, D. Medical Herbalism [8] Bone, K. & Mills, S. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy [9] Gladstar, R. Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health
[11]Tice, Adam. Top Homeopathic Remedy for Swimmer's Ear. Substack Jul 08, 2025