Ear infections frequently bug our canine companions. But if they seem to dog your furry friend more than usual, your veterinarian will take a closer look.

Under a pooch’s ear flap is the outer ear canal, which leads to the eardrum. On the other side of that membrane is the middle ear. Outer ear infections—that is, those involving only the canal—are generally the easiest to treat. But middle ear disease can be tough to wipe out.

Keeping your dog’s ears dry and treating any allergies might help prevent ear infections due to bacterial or yeast overgrowth. But ear mites—which are most common in the South—are contagious and can spread, usually from cats to dogs. So they need a different type of therapy.

No matter what the cause, your pooch needs treatment tailored to the problem in order to effectively battle ear infections.