Claro is a prescription ear medication for dogs that treats otitis externa, the most common type of ear infection in canines. What makes it unusual is that it’s a single-dose treatment: your veterinarian applies it once at the clinic, and it works in the ear canal for about 30 days without any follow-up drops at home.
How Claro Works
Claro is a three-in-one solution that tackles the bacterial, fungal, and inflammatory components of an ear infection simultaneously. Each milliliter contains an antibiotic (florfenicol at 16.6 mg), an antifungal (terbinafine at 14.8 mg), and a steroid (mometasone furoate at 2.2 mg). These three ingredients address the reality that most dog ear infections aren’t caused by just one problem. Bacteria, yeast, and painful swelling tend to show up together.
The antibiotic component stops bacteria from building the proteins they need to survive. It’s a broad-spectrum drug, meaning it works against a range of bacterial species commonly found in infected dog ears. The antifungal kills yeast by disrupting the membranes that hold fungal cells together, essentially punching holes in them. The steroid component plays a supporting role that’s easy to overlook but critical: it reduces the swelling and fluid buildup inside the ear canal. A swollen, gunky ear canal traps infection. By opening things up and reducing inflammation, the steroid helps the antibiotic and antifungal reach the organisms they need to kill.
What Treatment Looks Like
Claro is not something you pick up at a pharmacy and apply at home. It’s administered by a veterinarian during an office visit. Your vet will typically examine and clean your dog’s ear canal first, then apply the solution directly into the affected ear. The medication forms a gel-like layer that coats the ear canal and releases its active ingredients over the following weeks.
This is the biggest practical advantage of Claro over traditional ear drops. Standard ear infection treatments usually require owners to apply drops once or twice daily for 7 to 14 days. If you’ve ever tried to pin down a squirming, head-shaking dog twice a day to squeeze drops into a painful ear, you understand why a single in-office dose is appealing. Compliance with at-home ear drops is notoriously poor, not because owners don’t care, but because many dogs simply won’t tolerate it.
After the Appointment
Once Claro has been applied, you should not clean your dog’s ears or apply any other ear products for at least 30 days. The medication is designed to stay in the ear canal and release slowly. Flushing or wiping the ears can remove the drug before it finishes working. Resist the urge to clean, even if you see some discharge in the first few days. Your vet will schedule a follow-up to check whether the infection has resolved.
You’ll also want to keep your dog’s ears dry during this period. Avoid swimming and be careful during baths. Water in the ear canal can interfere with the medication’s contact with the tissue it’s treating.
Potential Side Effects
Claro is generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported reactions are localized: temporary redness, increased discharge, or mild irritation at the application site. Some dogs shake their head more than usual for the first day or two after treatment, which typically settles on its own.
Because the medication contains a steroid, there’s a small chance of localized immune suppression in the ear canal with repeated use. Dogs that receive multiple rounds of Claro over time should be monitored for any signs that infections are becoming harder to clear.
Important Safety Considerations
Claro should not be used in dogs with a ruptured eardrum (tympanic membrane). The antibiotic component can cause hearing damage if it reaches the middle or inner ear through a perforation. Your vet will examine the eardrum before applying the medication. If the ear is too swollen or full of debris to see the eardrum clearly, they may need to clean the canal first or postpone treatment until they can confirm it’s intact.
The product is approved only for dogs. It has not been evaluated for use in cats or other animals. It’s also not intended for dogs under the age of four months or for pregnant or nursing dogs, as safety data in those populations is limited.
When Claro Is the Right Choice
Claro works best for acute, uncomplicated ear infections caused by the typical mix of bacteria and yeast. It’s an especially good fit when home treatment is impractical: for anxious or aggressive dogs, for owners with limited mobility, or simply for dogs that have learned to run and hide when they see the ear drop bottle. It’s also useful when compliance is a concern, since one veterinary visit replaces two weeks of daily treatments.
It’s less appropriate for chronic or recurrent ear infections that may signal an underlying problem like allergies, hormonal imbalances, or anatomical issues (think breeds with narrow, hairy ear canals like Cocker Spaniels or Shar-Peis). In those cases, Claro may clear the current infection, but without addressing the root cause, the ears will likely flare up again. Your vet may recommend allergy testing, dietary changes, or ongoing maintenance cleaning alongside or instead of repeated Claro treatments.