What is the reason behind ear mites in dogs?
Dogs get ear mites because of various reasons like playing in dog shelters, roaming on roads, dust particles, dirty bedding, etc. Every dog breed can be affected by microscopic bacteria and ear mites. If your dog develops a severe ear infection because of ear mites, it’s advisable to consult your veterinarian for treatment.
Did your dog ever have continuous ear scrapes? If yes, it is a warning sign that your pup may have ear mites. While they are not severe, ear mites can induce irritation and even lead to itching.
Most pet parents are worried about their dogs’ ear irritation caused by mites, bacteria, parasites, or infection. Ear mites can be an irritating problem; however, they are not as harmful as ticks or heartworms. Ear mites can also inflict severe ear discomfort and itching to your loved canine companions.
And, did you know these invisible micro parasites feed on wax and greases in the ear ducts of your dogs?
As a pet parent, you want your doggie pal to be active. So, read on to understand more about ear mites in dogs, and the ways to combat them.
- What Are Ear Mites In Dogs?
- Ear Mites And Ear Infection In Dogs
- Pictures Of Ear Mites In Dogs
- Common Signs and Symptoms Of Ear Mites In Dogs
- Causes Of Ear Mites Infection In Dogs
- Diagnosis Of Ear Mites Infection In Dogs
- Treatment Of Ear Mites Infection In Dogs
- Home Remedies For Ear Mites In Dogs
- Prevention Of Ear Mites In Dogs
- Recovery and Management of Dog Ear Mites
- Health Risks Associated With Ear Infection
- Common FAQs
- Final Thoughts
What Are Ear Mites In Dogs?
If you often see your dog shaking and licking their ears continuously, there are chances they are struggling with the presence of mites in their ears.
Ear mites are common parasites found in pets, especially pups and cats. These mites are microscopic and are contagious organisms. They look like white dots but can hardly be seen with the naked eye. However, ear mites can easily be detected by using a microscope.
In addition, ear mites live on the surface of the ear duct and feed off ear wax and skin greases in the pets. Adult ear mites generally live for nearly two months but can reproduce rapidly, with their eggs taking just four days to incubate and a further three weeks to evolve into an adult mite ready to spawn.
Also, ear mites are a common cause of ear infections and illness in dogs and are the second most prevalent external parasites seen on pets. Hence, it’s pretty essential to keep these parasites off your dog’s body.
Ear Mites And Ear Infection In Dogs
Ear infections are common in canines and are not always caused by parasites or mites. There are several reasons, such as yeast infection, bacterial infection, or allergic skin infection, leading to ear infections in dogs.
So, if you’re seeing your dog struggling with any ear illness or itchiness, It is best to discuss with your vet. Your vet will evaluate your canine and rule out the probable reasons by examining the ear wax through the microscope.
Pictures Of Ear Mites In Dogs
While it’s almost impossible to see live roaming mites on your dog’s ear, mites can be seen with the help of microscope. They’ve a spider-liked structure with a brown and white body color. With such a micro shape and size, it’s even hard to detect them, hence it’s a good idea to visit your vet to examine ear infection in your dogs.
Here are some pictures of ear mites infection in dogs:
Common Signs and Symptoms Of Ear Mites In Dogs
An ear mite sickness will result in itching, making your dog nod their head at a rapid pace and scraping their ears with their feet. Ear mites can also generate wax and discomfort, and as a result, your dog’s ears may appear red and swollen. Generally, ear mites stimulate a dry black ear flow with an odd smell.
Ear infestations are a common danger in canines and kittens, although pets of any age and breed can entail this symptom. Clinical signs of infestation can differ in stringency from one dog to another.
Every pet is different, but some generalized signs could imply that your puppy pal is undergoing a severe ear mite infestation. These include:
- The harsh odor from the ear canals of the dogs
- Thick black or brown waxy discharge from the ears
- Inflammation & Redness of the ear
- Extremely itchy and irritating
- Scraping or stroking of the ears
- Hair loss around the ears
- Continual shaking head
- A murky waxy, crusty release from the ear
- Rashes around the neck or in the ear
If you’re observing any of the above mentioned signs in your dog’s health and behavior, there is a possibility of ear mites infection in their ears.
Causes Of Ear Mites Infection In Dogs
Pet parents often struggle to deal with ear mites in their dogs. Since it is one of the most common parasites found in pets, we need to identify the actual causes in our four-legged friends. So, let us check out the most common causes of ear mites infections in dogs.
Canines get infected by ear mites when spending time in close physical touch with other pets who have ear mites. Generally, a dog who spends a lot of time outdoors can get mites. They can get mites while playing in dog parks, dog training centers, or any other public areas.
When your furry friends share bedding or rest in close physical contact, the ear mites effortlessly can transmit from one dog to another. Ear mites in canines also are common in areas where doggies are held closed in boarding facilities, refuges, or breeders.
Diagnosis Of Ear Mites Infection In Dogs
Ear mites in dogs can be diagnosed by microscopic examination. Well, if you’re noticing the severe signs and symptoms of ear mites infection in your little four-legged companion, consider taking them to an expert veterinary inspection. Since these parasites are smaller and invisible to naked eyes, a technical assessment is the only way to discover this.
The first step to dealing with ear mites in canines is careful ear cleaning. During the veterinary inspection, the vet will examine their inner ears to evaluate their health. The vet will collect some ear residue from the infected ear and analyze it under a microscope.
Remember, mites are not solely responsible for ear illness in dogs.
Related: 5 Home Remedies To Clean Dog’s Ears
Treatment Of Ear Mites Infection In Dogs
Now that you’ve learned a lot about the symptoms and causes of ear mites in dogs, let’s read about getting rid of these irritable parasites from your dog’s body.
Treatment for ear mites infection in canines includes many methods such as cleaning, medication, flea remedies, etc. We’ve explained some of the most effective solutions on dealing with ear parasites in your dogs.
1. Spot-on Flea Remedies
Several spot-on flea remedies helps in preventing and treating ear mites in dogs. It is one of the simplest ways to safeguard your dogs from parasites. One or two doses are usually sufficient, and they are a lot less harmful to your dogs.
2. Ear Drops
While spot-on treatments are the most popular treatment method for ear infection; ear drops are also convenient. Some of these need at least three weeks of dosing as the drug cannot slay the eggs of the parasites, which take 21 days to expand into adult mites. If you’re using ear drops for your dog, it is recommended to follow the approved specified dosages without overusing them on your dogs.
3. Medications
Topical medications are also helpful for treating ear mites infection in dogs. They’re much more intenser to destroy the mites and their eggs, and keep your canine safe from any further bacterial attack.
There are different types of medications available for the treatment of ear mites in dogs. Some of them are:
- Topical products for applying inside the ear canals
- Oral drugs
- Injections
While various topical medications in the ear duct can be single-use, others must be applied every day for 7 to 30 days. Your vet will make a treatment verdict based on their health condition.
Related: How Often To Take Your Dog To The Vet?
4. Cleaning Of Ears
Regular cleaning of dog’s ear not only safeguard them from a bacterial mites attack but also keep them free from ear wax. Thorough cleaning of the ear passage removes residue and enables the medication to be better consumed. It’s essential to visit your vet for their ear cleaning process. You can also learn how to clean your dog’s ear at home by taking proper advice from your vet.
Home Remedies For Ear Mites In Dogs
While some of you may visit a veterinarian for your dog’s ear infection treatment, most of you always rely on home remedies for a quick solution. And guess what, we’re here for your rescue with some of the best practical ways for getting rid of mites from your dog’s ear.
There are many simple, traditional herbal home remedies to treat ear mites in dogs. It includes:
- Antiseptic Tea Rinse
- Oil Treatments
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Calendula
- Mullein
- Oregano Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Baking Soda
- Oregon Grape
You can simply apply the above oils to your dog’s ear twice or thrice in a day as it will help slow down the itchiness and inflammation. Some of these treatments take more work than others, but they should all effectively deal with a mite infestation.
It is critical to deal with ear mites rapidly to prevent the situation from spreading. Using an all-natural herbal remedies lets you take care of ear mites without inducing your canine to harsh chemical insecticides in their ears.
Prevention Of Ear Mites In Dogs
Continuous ear care of dogs will allow you to discover the problem faster. So, if your canine gets ear mites, you can deal with them rapidly and hopefully lessen any irritation. You can curb ear mites in them with the same monthly preventive treatments you already use to avoid fleas and intestinal parasites.
It’s best to visit your vet when the infection spreads in your dog’s ear. The vet will prescribe flea and tick medications to prevent them. Other preventive measures to keep your dog away from mites can be:
- Keep a close eye on your dogs. Be alert for any clues indicating the presence of ear mites in their ear canals so you can seek professional assistance instantly.
- Keep infected dogs isolated from other pets.
- Prevent sharing a bed or furniture with your dog.
- Sanitize and wash any toys that your dog uses regularly.
- Regular clean their eggs with lukewarm water and a towel.
By following the above measures regularly, your furry companion may feel good in just a tandem of few days.
Recovery and Management of Dog Ear Mites
Most canines make quick healing from ear mites, although they might have endless fighting with the pesky ear mites. Sometimes there are residuals left in their ear ducts that require cleaning. Your vet will help you by prescribing proper treatment and therapy to deal with various kinds of ear infections in your dog.
In addition to destroying adult mites, you need to remove the eggs that will hatch and later grow into adult mites. To prevent this, wash your dog’s items such as dog bedding, toys, food bowl in hot water and then dry them. Vacuum all areas where your dogs spend a lot of time.
After medication, resume checking their ears regularly for indications of ear bacteria or other issues. Watch for black wax discharge or redness within the ear duct and keep a close look on their ear scraping movement.
Health Risks Associated With Ear Infection
Exaggerated and continual ear scraping often leads to skin lesions, scars, scraping, ear hematomas, or ear infections.
Other, more severe issues from untreated ear mite illnesses in canines include a severe ear illness named Otitis Externa. This ailment is an infection of the outer ear that, if untreated, can evolve to the inner ear. This can harm their eardrum and perpetually destroy their earshot and sense of equilibrium.
An untreated ear mite infection can result in a skin infection in regions other than the ear as well. As the infestation accumulates, ear mites may begin to overrun other parts of the canine’s body. Sometimes a canine’s high-intensity action to alleviate the irritation can wound the ear flap (pinna), resulting in the blood vessels in the ear bursting, which directs to hematomas on the ear flap. The breakout occurring from ear scraping may also result in long-term harm to the ear canal.
Common FAQs
There are many questions and queries of dog owners regarding ear mites in their dogs. We have tried our best to cover the most common queries to help answer your doubts.
1. How To Check For Ear Mites In Dogs?
If your dog is struggling with the presence of mites in their ears, they will indicate signs such as ear scraping, ear-biting, shaking off their head rapidly. Also, if you’re seeing black wax discharge in their ears, it’s a possibility that they’ve ear mites on their ears.
2. How Do Dogs Get Ear Mites?
Usually, dogs can get exposed to ear mites when they spend a lot of their time outside. This can be breeder areas, dog parks, training centers, etc. If they’ve come in contact with a dog having ear mites, chances are there that your dog will also get infected by mites.
3. What Do Ear Mites Look Like In Dogs?
It’s hard to see ear mites properly as they are not much visible with naked eyes due to their micro shape and size. They can be visible with the help of a microscope. When seen under a microscope, they look like a white dotted organism with a spider-like structure.
4. How To Get Rid Of Ear Mites In Dogs?
To deal with parasites and mites on your dog’s body, you can try medications like ear drops, OTC ointments, anti-itching injections, etc., after consulting with your veterinarian. Home remedies such as coconut oil and olive oil also help in reducing the inflammation and swelling of the infected area.
5. My Dog Shakes Head But Has No Ear Infection, Why?
Head shaking in dogs doesn’t always means they’re struggling with ear infection or mites attack. They might be facing any other allergies or itchiness which is again hard to determine by barely looking at them. It’s best to visit your vet to identify any underlying allergies that are causing discomfort to your dog’s health.
Final Thoughts
It is not uncommon to watch canine scraping ears and shaking heads. Still, if you see your furry friend is doing this more often, it could be a warning reminder that, they’re suffering from the discomfort caused by parasites and mites.
Mites develop an itchy, uneasy infection in your canine’s ears, and, if they have mites, it is critical to plan a vet appointment. Your vet can confirm the diagnosis and suggest the best medication for your canine. Most of the time, it involves applying the drug directly to your canine’s ears or skin. The early identification of an ear mite illness aid to save your pup.
Let us know in the comments, how you’re fighting ear mites in your dogs and the preventive measures you’re taking care of.
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Disclaimer: This post is completely informational and educational in nature. Its purpose is to enrich one’s knowledge related to dog health issues and diseases. However, in case of any serious emergency or complications, immediately contact a professional, veterinarian, or expert.
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