Does your dog scratch at his ears frequently? If
so, your pet could be suffering from ear mites. Ear mites are a
common canine affliction that can be seen at any age but are most
frequently seen in younger dogs and puppies that lack the immunity
to fight off the parasite that causes this disease. If your dog is
found to have this condition, prompt treatment for ear mites is
important since this is a contagious disease which can pass to other
animals in the household. Plus, the symptoms of dog ear mites can be
quite uncomfortable due to the inflammatory condition these tiny
mites set up in your dog’s ear canal.
How do you know if your dog has ear mites? Some of the signs a dog
may exhibit are scratching at his ears, shaking his head repeatedly, an
unpleasant odor emanating from the ear, and the appearance of a black,
crusty discharge along the ear canal. A veterinarian can make the
diagnosis by peering into the affected ear canals using an otoscope
where he can generally visualize the tiny mites causing your dog to be
so uncomfortable. He may also elect to take a sample of the discharge
and look at it under the microscope to document the presence of mites.
If your dog requires treatment for dog mites, what are the options
available? The first step to curing ear mites in dogs is scrupulous
cleaning of the affected ear passages. The crusty discharge must be
removed in order to allow the medication to have maximum effect in
fighting the parasites. This should be done gently with a soft cotton
gauze and ear wash. Remember your dogs ears are sensitive as a result of
the inflammation set up by the mites. Some veterinarians recommend use
of an ear bulb to flush the discharge out of the ear canal. In severe
cases, in office cleaning may be necessary.
Your veterinarian will likely prescribe ear drops to help kill the
parasites and the eggs, thus breaking the parasite life cycle and
allowing your dog’s ears to heal. There are now prescription medications
on the market including Selamectin which can kill ear mites with a
single application. There is also an injectable parasite medication
called Ivermectin which is effective but certain dog breeds are unable
to use this product due to sensitivity to its components.
Although there are treatments for ear mites available without a
prescription, these remedies must be used for several weeks since they
don’t kill the eggs of the mite. This doesn’t allow complete clearing of
the infection unless used longer term.
Once your dog has recovered from his ear mite infection, it’s
important to prevent future bouts with these irritating parasites. Clean
your dog’s ears regularly and make sure you dry them thoroughly after
bathing. Excess moisture can be a breeding ground for mites. Be sure to
inspect your dog’s ears regularly for signs of infection. By doing this,
you can keep your dog happily free of pesky ear mites.
