Written by Dr. Sherry Weaver

My almost five month-old Goldendoodle has smelly ears. I took her to the vet and was told that there weren't any infection/mites. The vet did not smell the odor and recommended a weekly ear wash. I still notice the odor. Do you suggest anything additional that I can use that is not harmful and can be used as needed?

Thank you in advance for your time.
Debbie

Dear Debbie,

Unpleasant smells are usually signs of abnormalities. If your nose is as sensitive as mine, sometimes the problem can be subtle. If the smell is definitely coming from the ear, then I would still be suspicious that there is a problem with the ear.

It is common for labradoodles to stay wet around the mouth, which can cause a very sour smell on the face. First be sure that you do not smell a sour face, instead of smelly ears. If your dog's face is dry most of the time or she doesn't have long fur on her face, then I would be sure that your vet was able to visualize the entire ear canal with an otoscope. Sometimes puppies can be a little rambunctious and hard to fully examine!

If there is truly nothing wrong in the entire canal, and her face is not the culprit, my best recommendation is to buy an ear cleaner with a pleasant smell and use it every one to two weeks. If you ever get dark material that does not look like normal human earwax, then you should revisit the idea of infection with your veterinarian.

Dr. Weaver

About Dr. Sherry Weaver
Dr. Weaver graduated with honors from the University of Georgia's School of Veterinary Medicine.  She founded a state-of-the-art animal hospital, teaches pet care to children, and donates time and resources to rescue organizations. For her full biography, click here.

Note: The opinions and views expressed in the Ask the Vet articles are the result of Dr. Sherry Weaver's formal education and over 14 years in clinical experiences. Your veterinarian is the best source of information for your pet’s specific needs.