Dogs with ear mites often shake their heads a lot, wiggle their ears, and scratch themselves. Your dog exhibits these actions in an effort to scratch the itching caused by the body hairs of mites, which irritate your dog’s ears as they move around. A dark, waxy discharge from the ear canal is another sign, according to Danielle Bernal, DVM with Wellness Natural Pet Food. Inflammation and a bad smell are further signs. The constant scratching of your dog may result in wounds and scabs in and around the ears, as well as, in severe cases, hair loss in your pet. This is how your dog expresses his distress.
What signs do my dog have of having ear mites?
Ear mites are small spider-like insects that reside in the ear of your pet and feed on its blood and ear canal tissue to survive. Once they reach adulthood, they can reproduce, which produces an increasing number of mites. While it is conceivable for an animal to only have one infected ear, ear mites are typically found in both ears at once.
Your pet can get ear mites from the surroundings in which it lives or travels. They frequently stick to your pet when she walks through densely vegetated or grassy regions and attach to her when she brushes by. However, because they are so easily transmitted from animal to animal, if your cat or dog comes into touch with an infected animal while out and about, at the groomer or kennel, or even at your neighborhood veterinarian clinic in Castle Rock, Colorado, she may also contract ear mites.
Many individuals question whether ear mites may spread to people. This is not the case, though. Only cats, dogs, and ferrets are capable of sharing ear mites. In addition, they do not endure long without a host.
Symptoms of ear mites in dogs and cats?
Because they are so tiny, ear mites can be challenging to find. However, if you use a soft cloth to carefully clean your pet’s ears and then examine the visible residue, you might be able to find them. They resemble little white dots, about the size of a sentence’s period.
Despite the fact that every animal is unique, there are a few universal signs that your dog or cat may have an ear mite infestation. These consist of:
- The ears are emitting a pungent smell.
- ear waxy secretions that are dark brown or black
- Ear inflammation that manifests as redness and a warm to the touch ear
- ear canal debris that resembles coffee grounds
- excessive ear rubbing, scratching, or itching
- loss of hair near the ears
- She’s shaking her head constantly. This is due to the mites’ severe irritant effects.
- Dermatitis and scabs around the ears are examples of skin conditions
Treating ear mites in dogs and cats
Fortunately, ear mites can be successfully treated, and the procedure is frequently rather simple. Your Castle Rock veterinarian will likely recommend topical treatments that should eliminate all of the ear mites after the diagnosis has been made. Different topical treatment kinds, such as eardrops, ointments, and creams, must be applied exactly as prescribed. The entire course of treatment can be finished at home.
Additional care may be required if your cat or dog’s excessive ear-scratching has resulted in damage to the skin surrounding those ears. This might include oral and/or topical antibiotics, which again should be used as directed and the course should be completed. In some circumstances, it could be necessary to fit your pet with a cone collar to stop her from causing more harm to her ears.
Is it possible to prevent ear mites from affecting my pet?
Some topical medications are available only on a prescription, and some of them also shield your pet from fleas. The best approach to keep these bothersome little parasites away, according to veterinarians, is to routinely clean your pet’s ears with a soft, damp cloth. This can help you identify any mites promptly, before they spread and cause your pet serious problems.
Why does my dog’s head shake and continuously scratching his ear?
If it only occurs sometimes, head shaking might be totally typical behavior for dogs. Dogs shake their heads vigorously to push irritants from their ears.
When should I be concerned about my dog’s head shaking?
There’s probably nothing to worry about if your dog jerks their head once or twice and then stops. But if your dog’s head shakes ferociously and persistently, it’s necessary to visit the vet.
Common Reasons Dogs Shake Their Heads
Once your veterinarian has determined the cause of your head shaking, many of the most frequent causes are simple to treat; but, untreated ear disorders can quickly deteriorate into more dangerous ones. Typical explanations include
- Skin allergens that cause itching
- irritants like grass seeds, water, or insects that become lodged in their ears.
- Yeast or bacterial infection
- Otosclerosis of the ear canal
- parasitic ear mites or other ear infections
- Aural hemorrhage (blood blister inside an earflap)
- Acne polyps (growths inside of the ear canal)
- An ear infection that is secondary
What to Do if Your Dog is Head Shaking
It’s important to take your dog to the vet if she is constantly tossing her head, picking at her ears, or if her ears appear red and irritated. Aural hematomas caused by head shaking frequently need surgery to be repaired.
Early diagnosis of the problem will enable your veterinarian to treat your dog’s head shaking before it worsens.
Please take note that the information in this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice for animals. Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a precise diagnosis of your pet’s illness.
How widespread are dog ear mites?
Dogs frequently experience ear mite issues, especially young puppies. Consult your veterinarian for a conclusive diagnosis and treatment options if your dog’s ears appear red, inflamed, or irritated, or if you notice waxy material inside their ears.
Social contact with other sick dogs, such as while they are sleeping or playing, is how ear mites are spread. All dogs should undergo routine inspections for any indication of ear mites.
Several medicines can be used to effectively treat ear mites. All family pets, including dogs and cats, should have ear mite treatment due to the contagious nature of the disease. Your veterinarian can offer advice on the best course of action for your cats and other animals.
What naturally eliminates ear mites?
Although holistic physicians concur that commercial medicines are effective, puppies with ear mite infections may also have other common health issues that require care. To get rid of the pests using more natural remedies and let the veterinarian handle other problems could be less distressing. The first step is to clean the ears using calming treatments.
- Tea Rinse with Antiseptic. A natural antibacterial, green tea. It can be used to clear the puppy’s ear canal of all the crumbly brown or black ear mite detritus. A spoonful of green tea leaves should be steeped for three to four minutes in a cup of boiling water before being strained. Before applying it once per day for a month, allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Oil Therapy. Oil can float particles out and relieve irritated ears. The mites may potentially be suffocated by oil. It actually doesn’t matter what sort of oil you use, but some holistic veterinarians advise using almond or olive oil. Crush a few garlic cloves in a cup of oil and let it sit overnight for the finest results. Bacteria that could emerge as a result of the mite infection are naturally killed by garlic. Before treating your puppy’s ears with the oil, don’t forget to remove the garlic. For at least a month, you must daily apply the oil/garlic solution to the ears.
What should you do if your dog has an irritated ear?
20% of dogs get otitis externa, also referred to as ear canal irritation. Otitis in dogs can cause them to scratch their ears, shake their heads erratically and repeatedly, hold their ears in an odd position, and/or produce foul-smelling ear discharge. Touching the ears typically hurts as well.
Due in part to the way they are shaped, dogs are more likely than members of many other species to develop ear infections. Dogs’ ear canals virtually resemble the letter “L” because they have a sharp vertical component and then a horizontal portion. Due to the form of the ear canal, it is more difficult for wax, oil, and other debris to exit the canal, and their presence fosters the growth of the little quantity of yeast and bacteria that naturally inhabit the ear canal. These bacteria and yeast overgrow, resulting in an ear infection. There are more elements than conformation that can contribute to an overproduction of ear wax in dogs. Infection-causing factors include ear mites, allergies (to things like food, fleas, pollen, etc.), ear tumors, endocrine conditions (such hypothyroidism), and foreign objects in the canals. These factors can all result in ear canal enlargement and increased waxy discharge.
Ear cleanser and the proper topical medication are frequently effective treatments for a straightforward external ear infection (ear drops). Typically, the veterinarian will select the drug after closely examining a sample of the ear discharge. A microscopic examination will enable the veterinarian to establish whether the illness is brought on by yeast or bacteria, and it may also provide information on the type of bacteria present, the severity of the ailment, and how long the condition has persisted. The dog most likely has chronic otitis if the ear infection doesn’t go away after treatment or reappears soon after the course of medicine is finished. The veterinarian may culture the ear debris in cases of persistent infections to identify the bacterial species that are present. The veterinarian can select an appropriate antibiotic to treat with the aid of this information. The veterinarian could also advise flushing the ear canal to remove dirt and make the ear drum visible, which could rupture due to infection. It’s critical to try to determine the underlying cause of recurrent otitis in addition to treating the current infection. The vet may suggest skin testing to see whether the dog is allergic to anything in the environment, prescribe a specific prescription diet to rule out food allergies, or run blood tests to look for endocrine problems.
Chronic inflammation will cause the tissue in the ear canal to overgrow if left untreated. Excess tissue protrusions give yeast and bacteria extra areas to flourish, which can make the illness incredibly challenging to treat. The deeper ear structures, especially the nerves, can be harmed, which can cause a head tilt, facial paralysis, and extreme vertigo. The ear canal can thicken and stiffen, and occasionally surgery to remove the ear canal is the only effective course of action.
Common ear infections can be challenging to cure if they become chronic. If your dog exhibits symptoms of an ear infection, make sure to have them examined, and make sure to adhere to your veterinarian’s treatment recommendations for length of time and follow-up appointments. The greatest prognosis for your dog will be achieved by early diagnosis of the disease and effective treatment.
How can I put a halt to my dog’s ear shaking?
Any of the following remedies may be prescribed by your veterinarian:
- Tablets that are anti-inflammatory or antibiotic
- ear drops or medicine for the ears
- Clear your ears
- Treatment of ear mites
- diet modifications
- Anesthesia to properly clean out the ear canal (doing so while awake can be excruciatingly painful) and
- On sometimes, surgery will be necessary.
It’s crucial to adhere to their treatment recommendations and return for a checkup when indicated.
How can I treat the scratchy ears on my dog?
You went to the vet. You received the prognosis. You took the prescription home. It’s showtime now.
Your dog might disagree, though. It takes a lot of patience to train your pet to put up with annoying rituals (and treats). However, we’ve got your back and their ear health covered with these suggestions.
Apply With Care
Here, the adage “A spoonful of sugar” is used. As much reassurance and praise as you can should be used to temper your dog’s ear medicine. It’s not exactly the most comfortable situation for them, after all.
It is simple to conceal medications in a liverwurst treat, including antibiotics. But here are some important advice for using liquid medication:
- Veterinarian Aid Before taking off on your own, see if your veterinarian can show you how to properly apply medication. In this manner, weeks of futile treatment can be avoided.
- Pick up a Partner
- With larger dogs in particular, a helping hand can make all the difference. To keep your dog motionless while you deliver the therapy, ask a buddy.
- Remain Clean
- The majority of ear medications include a squeeze tip for simple application. To avoid spreading germs, avoid really contacting your dog’s earth with that tip.
- Toss it in
- After using, give your pet’s ear a brief massage. This will guarantee that the medication adequately covers the entire ear area.
Home Medicines
Most dog ear medications eventually eliminate the root of bothersome scratching. But while your body is mending, think about using a natural or safe over-the-counter itch reliever.
What symptoms do mites exhibit?
Important information on flea, mite, or chigger bites Small, raised skin lumps, discomfort, or itching are possible symptoms. Additionally, there could be edema or scorching. If you get severe allergic reaction symptoms, dial 911. These include having problems breathing, feeling faint or disoriented, or having tightness in the chest or throat.
Exactly how can dogs get ear mites?
- Tiny skin parasites called ear mites make ears extremely scratchy and frequently result in ear infections.
- While ear mites can infect any dog, pups are the most frequently affected.
- The most typical route for a dog to contract ear mites is from another dog, but it is also possible for them to spread through the air in the house, yard, and outdoors.
- Fortunately, ear mite treatment is not too difficult.
- If you suspect your dog may have ear mites, consult your veterinarian.
