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"Dog Parasites (flea, Tick, Worms, Etc.)"
Dog Parasites (Flea, Tick, Worms, etc.): Page 11
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Ear Mites: What are ear mites and how do I get rid of them?
Have you noticed that your dog has been scratching his ears a lot
lately? When you took a closer look at his ear to find out what is
causing him to develop this new habit, you noticed that his ear has a
dark discoloration? You probably also noticed a foul smelling
discharge emanating from the stained ear. Your dog just might have
ear mites.
What exactly are ear mites and how do you get rid of them? Will ear
mites affect your dog's hearing ability? If you have other dogs in
the house, should you be worried that they might also catch ear mites?
Today's article will answer these questions for you.
Ear mites are speck like parasites that feed on skin particles inside
your dog's ear. They have tentacles that irritate the ear canal,
making your dog vulnerable to bacterial or fungi infection.
Ear mites are very contagious. They have the tendency to frequently
wander away from the dog's ear and into the dog's coat until
eventually landing into another dog's ears. And because they can
easily shift their way from one dog to another, they are easily
transferred from mother to her puppies. This makes ear mites the most
common offender of ear infection in puppies and young dogs.
Symptoms of ear mites include excessive scratching of the ear, head
shaking, constant rubbing of the ear against the wall or any objects,
and a waxy, dark-colored discharge. The ear may also look dark and
crusty and usually emits a foul smelling odor.
If you think that your dog has a problem with ear mites, take him to
the vet as soon as possible. Early treatment is crucial to prevent a
more serious ear infection. Once your vet determines the presence of
ear mites, treatment includes washing out the debris with an
insecticidal preparation that will kill the mites. Your vet will also
instruct you to continue on with the treatment at home on a daily
basis. This daily treatment of ear mites usually goes on for about
three full weeks.
In addition to prescribing medication for ear mites, your vet may also
direct you to get a flea powder and sprinkle it on the dog's skin.
This process will kill leftover mites that were able to travel away
from your dog's ear. Your vet may also suggest that you treat other
dogs and cats in your home that may have become infected through
direct contact. Make sure to carry on with the entire time of
treatment. Since mites lay their eggs in the ears, a new crop will
again infect your dog if you stop the treatment too soon.
Copyright 2006 by Jay Jennings. All rights reserved.
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