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Ear Mites in
Dogs
(Otodectes
cynotis)
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What are Ear Mites?
As the name suggests, ear mites are a tiny
spider like parasitic mite that infect the ears of dogs and
cats. They usually live in the ear canals but can live
on other parts of the dog or cat's body. Ear mites are the
most common cause of ear infections seen by vets. They are
more commonly found in cats than dogs but are a considerable
cause of ear infection in dogs too.
Some breeds of dogs are more prone to ear mite
infections that others, especially dogs with long floppy ears.
The ear mites thrive in the warm moist area where the air flow
is restricted.
Ear mites feed on epidermal
debris & ear wax. They burrow into the ear, causing
inflammation which the body responds to by producing more wax.
What are the Symptoms of Ear
Mites in dogs?
Ear mites are terribly uncomfortable for your
dog. Imagine how it would feel having thousands of little bugs
running around in one of your most sensitive areas. Usually
the first symptom you notice will be your dog scratching his
ears or shaking his head due to the extreme itchiness that the
mites cause. His ears may be painful to touch and he may cry
in pain when you touch them or while he is scratching them. He
may rub his face along the ground trying to relieve the
itching. You may also notice a foul odor coming from the ears.
Dogs may cause damage by scratching causing the
ears to bleed. They may also shake their ears with such
intensity that small blood vessels are broken and hematomas
form.
Diagnosis of Ear Mites
If you have a look inside the ear of an
infected dog you will see dark reddish brown or black debris
throughout the ear canal which has been described as looking
like coffee grounds. Ear mites are visible to the naked eye
and can be seen as white dots among the dark debris. You may
even see them moving around.
Your vet will look in your dogs ear with a
magnifying instrument called an otoscope and may inspect the
debris from the ear under a microscope for a more definite
diagnosis. Ear mite infections can be serious if left
untreated resulting in damage to the ear canals and eardrums
and leaving deformity of the ears and possible deafness.
Secondary bacterial or yeast infections are
also common so it is important to consult your veterinarian.
Treatment of Ear
Mites. How Do I Get Rid Of
Ear Mites?
 You
can purchase ear mite treatments from your usual pet supply
store or your vet will prescribe an oily
insecticide to clean the ear canals.
All ear exudate has to be cleaned from the ear canal
daily. The medication should massaged deeply into the dog's ear
taking care to get into all the nooks and crannies of the ear
canal. It is important to follow your vet's or the product's instructions for
the application of the treatment as you need to control the ear
mite's life cycle.
Revolution is another option. It is a
Parasiticide that is applied to the skin of dogs six weeks
of age and older. Revolution is used to prevent
heartworm disease, kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs
from hatching and treats and prevents ear mite infestation.
Your dog might
also require antibiotics for secondary infections.
Are Ear Mites Contagious?
Ear mites are very contagious
and can be passed on from dog to dog or
dog to cat so it is important to treat all of your pets at the
same time.
Can Humans Catch Ear Mites?
No, humans are not affected by ear mites.
Please
note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian
& should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian
visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes
only. Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets. While great care
has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any
doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice
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