Ear mites in dogs: symptoms & prevention

Ear mites in dogs: symptoms & prevention

Ear mites are a common parasite found in dogs and cats. Ear mites are usually invisible to the naked eye. However, these are the infectious organism that makes your dog’s life miserable. This is why it is highly recommended to seek the help of a veterinarian once your pooch starts showing the symptoms of ear mite infection.

Ear mites are highly contagious and usually found in stray cats. Your dog is vulnerable to ear mite infection whenever he is interacting with other dogs at indoor or outdoor. Listed below are a few insights into the symptoms and treatment for ear mite infection in dogs.

Common symptoms of dog ear mites

Ear mite infections are characterized by constant ear scratching. Therefore, when your pooch indulges in relentless ear scratching, look for further signs that can give away any underlying serious concern. For instance, surplus brown discharge from your dog’s ears, in addition to constant ear scratching, signifies infection.

Some of the other common ear mite symptoms include:

  • Inner ear inflammation
  • Unpleasant odor
  • Head shaking
  • Bumpy skin in the ear canal
  • Bleeding ears

Keep an eye out for any kind of secretions from your dog’s ears especially in the form of coffee brown color which can even block the ear canal.

Dog ear mite treatment options

A veterinarian, after a detailed examination, can provide you with the right treatment options to get rid of ear mites.

Your veterinarian can prescribe ointments that can be directly applied to your pooch’s ears. On some occasions, the flea control can also help to alleviate the concerns of ear mites. This is why some veterinarians recommend parasite medication which can be applied to your dog’s skin.

On some occasions, veterinarians also prescribe anti-inflammatory or antibiotic to treat ear mites in dogs.

You should note that the treatment options can vary with respect to different factors like your dog’s breed, age and more. It is also highly recommended that you finish the course of medicine even if your dog starts showing signs of recovery after the treatment begins.

Ear mite prevention

Preventing ear mites in dogs is something that requires dedication and time. As a pet parent, you should indulge in some routine tasks to ensure that your canine is safe and sound when the concern under consideration is ear mites.

Follow the below-given strategy to prevent ear mite infections in dogs:

  • Clean your dog’s ears at least once a month.
  • Ensure that you clean your dog’s ears soon after he has interacted with other dogs or cats.
  • If your pet is undergoing ear mite treatment, ensure that he completes the course and all the other pets in the house are treated to eradicate the issue completely.
  • Once your pooch has recovered from ear mite infection, see that you change his bedding, his stuffed toy or any other things that he uses which can be a potential hiding place for ear mites.

Ear mite infection in dogs can be a big headache for the respective pet parents. Unfortunately, no dogs are immune to ear mites and as a pet parent, it is your duty to ensure that your pet is safe from ear mites so that you can save both money and time.