Dog ear mites are known as otocdectes cynotis, or odectic mites. Ear mites are not like fleas, because they do not feed off of their host’s blood. Instead, ear mites will feed off of ear wax, ear tissues and other oils inside the ear canal. Although dog ear mites are usually specific to the ears, they can in fact, spread to other parts of the body. Not only that, but ear mites are very contagious and will easily transfer from dog to dog, and sometimes even humans.
While ear mites are not generally a serious condition, they may lead to one if they are left untreated. Dog ear mites symptoms are very similar to an ear infection. It is important to keep an eye out for dog ear mites symptoms in order to seek proper diagnosis and treatment from your veterinarian.
Symptoms of ear mites
- Unpleasant odor
- Excess ear wax buildup
- Red, inflamed ears
- Head shaking
- Excessive itching
- Loss of coordination
- Head tilting
Often times, ear mites are confused for an ear infection. The main difference between ear infections and ear mites in dogs is that with ear mites, there will be mite debris. This resembles dark, coffee ground-looking discharge inside the ear canal. Sometimes ear mites may actually cause an ear infection if they are not treated, and vice-versa. This can be very serious and painful, and may lead to a ruptured eardrum which can cause hearing loss. Not only that, but bacteria from an from an ear infection may enter the bloodstream causing illness.
Treatment for ear mites
If you suspect your dog may have an ear mite infestation, take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will perform a few different tests to properly diagnose your dog’s condition, and advise the best dog ear mites treatment.
Antibiotics -Antibiotics are a common ear mites treatment option, and may be prescribed based on how severe your dog’s ear infestation is. These will help to prevent any secondary bacterial infections that may affect your dog’s bloodstream and lead to the organs. Antibiotics will also help reduce any swelling or inflammation in the ear canal, which can make it easier to apply any creams or ointments.
Ear drops -Ear drops are anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and help to fight off bacteria caused by ear mites. Ear drops usually contain pytherin and piperonyl butoxide, both of which are powerful parasiticides. Ear drops for ear mites should only be used after the ear canal is free of wax buildup.
Topical treatments – These are commonly known as miticides, and can be applied to the outer ear of your dog. These topical treatments are also used to treat dog ear mites that have spread to other areas of your dog’s body. Topical dog ear mite treatments can be a little more difficult to apply to the inside of the ear, so they are best used to treat inflammation and infection on the outer ear flap. Using a cleansing solution before applying topical treatments will give you best results.
For more information about dog ear mites, mites on humans and home remedies, visit www.earmitesindogshelp.com
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Liz Bradley is a dog lover who lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband,
2 Users Responded in " Ear Mites in Dogs "
Thank you for the above. Allow me to add to that, as a lay person. Ear mites tend to happen more in dogs with ‘floppy ears’ as the ears don’t ‘drain’ properly and the gunk gets left inside the ear, where bacteria is left to grow. I had a Golden with chronic ear infections, where when she was very young, I suspect had ear mites that weren’t treated, ears not cleaned and where infection set in. As this was a chronic condition, even with twice-daily cleaning of the ears, the infection would return. Her ears were red and inflamed, and she spent most of her first five years on meds and daily ear cleaning. The infection never went away, and in fact, went past the outer ear, to the middle ear and was headed to the inner ear, which, aside from being painful, results in loss of balance as well as paralysis. She ended up having to get ear ablasions (both ears), where, in layman’s terms they put her under anesthetic, clean out what they can and then sew up the ear canals so that nothing gets into the ears, and the dog is left with the floppy ears, but hears basically through vibration as hearing is severely reduced and muffled at best. EAR MITES ARE A CONSTANT FOR SOME DOGS AND NEED TO BE TREATED ON AN ON-GOING BASIS. Don’t let your dog go through the pain, discomfort and traumatic experience that mine did.
Thank you, Ciara, for the above. Allow me to add to that, as a lay person. Ear mites tend to happen more in dogs with ‘floppy ears’ as the ears don’t ‘drain’ properly and the gunk gets left inside the ear, where bacteria is left to grow. I had a Golden with chronic ear infections, where when she was very young, I suspect had ear mites that weren’t treated, ears not cleaned and where infection set in. As this was a chronic condition, even with twice-daily cleaning of the ears, the infection would return. Her ears were red and inflamed, and she spent most of her first five years on meds and daily ear cleaning. The infection never went away, and in fact, went past the outer ear, to the middle ear and was headed to the inner ear, which, aside from being painful, results in loss of balance as well as paralysis. She ended up having to get ear ablasions (both ears), where, in layman’s terms they put her under anesthetic, clean out what they can and then sew up the ear canals so that nothing gets into the ears, and the dog is left with the floppy ears, but hears basically through vibration as hearing is severely reduced and muffled at best. EAR MITES ARE A CONSTANT FOR SOME DOGS AND NEED TO BE TREATED ON AN ON-GOING BASIS. Don’t let your dog go through the pain, discomfort and traumatic experience that mine did.
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