How Do You Know if You Pet Has Ear Mites

half dozen Signs of Ear Mites in Dogs

Let's face it—we'd all like to call up that our four-legged furry best friends are impervious to the ills of the globe. Why wouldn't we? All we want is for them to be condom and happy.

Sadly, this isn't always the case. As they frolic around, our furry friends can pick up issues that crusade them quite a scrap of discomfort. And if your dog appears preoccupied with itchy ears, the culprit might be tiny creatures living in them—ear mites.

Of grade, there are myriad issues that can cause itching and scratching. So how do y'all know if ear mites are the culprit of your pup's ear trouble?

Keep reading as nosotros go over six potential signs of ear mites in dogs and what to exercise about them.

Ear Mite 101

Ear mites—or Otodectes cynotis —are tiny parasites that live in the ears of cats and dogs.¹ While almost invisible to the eye, they can sometimes exist seen as white specs. And as unsavory as it may sound, they survive off the blood in your pet's ears.

Here's the thing about ear mites that alive in your dog's ear—they're highly contagious. Luckily, there are several signs that your dog might take ear mites so you lot can mitigate their ear problem right away.

Without further ado, allow'south dive into the signs of ear mites.

#one Strong Odor

As much as we love them, dogs aren't typically the sweetest smelling creatures on the planet. And unless you bathe your pup daily, you've probable gotten used to that distinct dog scent (keen, just doggy ). If you detect that your domestic dog's ears smell bad, it's a adept thought to investigate farther.

That being said, several things can cause your canis familiaris's ears to aroma:

Ear mites
Ear infection
The demand for a bath

Go along in mind that merely one sign doesn't necessarily betoken to a definitive conclusion. Continue reading to run into if there are additional signs of ear mites.

#2 Excessive Scratching

If at that place's i matter dog owners know, it'south that our furry friends certain like to scratch. And who wouldn't? Everyone has an itch they merely accept to scratch now and and then—why wouldn't it be the same for our dogs?

That being said, it's a skilful idea to pay close attending to your canine companion'south beliefs, especially if they have itchy ears.

If you lot find them scratching at their ears constantly, take note. Excessive ear scratching is another of the signs of domestic dog ear mites. And too much scratching can cause cuts and abrasions around their ears, leading to further discomfort and raising the take a chance of infection.

#3 Constant Caput Shaking

Shaking is another mutual domestic dog action. Whether information technology be getting water off themselves (and all over you), responding to a chill in the air, spotting a Chihuahua, or letting y'all know that no, they don't want that fishy-looking piece of cheese with a pill in it, dogs milkshake all the time.

Once once more, context and frequency are key here.

If your dog is shaking their head constantly (and not when you're trying to feed them pill-infused cheese), y'all might demand to cheque for ear mites. However, it's also important to annotation that caput shaking is also a common symptom of a dog ear infection as well. And depending on the severity of the shaking, it could lead to farther complications. Await for ear debris in the outer ear or any signs of mite eggs.

Ear Hematoma

It's important to note that if you notice your dog shaking their head also much, you should try to figure out what's wrong apace. Likewise much head shaking tin can pb to hematoma—a buildup of blood in the ear flap.² If your pooch does have ear mites, you don't want the discomfort to build. Contact your veterinary if you're concerned to learn about mite treatment options.

#4 Inflammation or Scratches

This might be an obvious sign that something's wrong, but information technology's important to annotation nonetheless. If yous think your domestic dog might have ear mites, pay close attention to their ears. If you notice any of the following, a trip to the vet is likely in society:

Red and inflamed ears
Scratches
Scabs
Crust around the ear
Pilus loss

Ear mites are pesky, and they can cause a lot of discomfort for your pooch. Make sure yous go on an middle out for visible issues during your daily cuddles and pets.

#5 Ear Debris

Coffee grounds might be essential if you want to make yourself a good loving cup of joe, but they definitely don't belong in your dog's ear. Black specs that wait like coffee grounds can be some other indicator that ear mites have latched onto your poor pooch. So if you happen to check your domestic dog's ear and encounter minor lumps that look like java grounds, have note.

#half-dozen Fluid From the Ear

Imagine the tar monster from Scooby-Doo. Alright, perhaps nothing that dramatic. But if you run across dark, glutinous liquid oozing from your puppy's ear, information technology'due south a sign something is definitely incorrect.

Make certain to go on track of whatsoever signs that you notice. That way you lot can give your veterinarian a comprehensive understanding of the situation should you need to accept further action.

What Causes Ear Mites in Dogs?

But wait ! You lot might think. How could my precious pooch have ear mites?

As nosotros noted, an ear mite infestation is very contagious. And to make it worse, they tin can be contracted from ii very common sources:

Infected Animals – Dogs beloved socializing with each other. Just unfortunately, this is the most probable fashion your pooch will pick up ear mites. Because of how contagious ear mites are, information technology's incredibly easy for them to hop from one dog to the adjacent. While your canis familiaris's new buddy might but desire to say hi, they might be unknowingly carrying quite the nuisance with them. If you notice symptoms get-go to show upwardly in your pet's ears, you might accept a mite infection on your hands.
Outdoor Areas – Taking your dog out for a walk or letting them run effectually a park is a wonderful affair. Only sadly, this is as well where ear mites can lurk. Tall grasses, forests, bushes—all of these can transfer ear mites to your poor pup.

Every bit you can run into, ear mites are past no means rare. The good news is that ear mites are perfectly treatable.

Treating Ear Mites

Your first order of concern if yous detect any combination of potential ear mite symptoms should exist to set upward an appointment with your veterinarian and larn about ear mite treatment options. When you do and so, make sure to give them a full list of the symptoms yous've noticed.

Your veterinarian will be able to do a comprehensive test to decide if it's an ear mite infestation. They'll probable utilize an otoscope to run into if mites are actually at that place.³ If they determine that ear mites are to blame, then they'll provide a medicated handling for yous to administer at home. This can exist anything from ear drops to ointments or creams—or a combination.⁴ It will probably accept several weeks for the treatment to be completed as the medication addresses the total life-cycle of mites.

On that note, if in that location were any other wounds or complications, boosted treatment might be required if at that place are significant scratches on the ear or your canis familiaris has developed an ear hematoma due to head shaking.

Pay attention to what your vet has to say, and follow their directions to the letter.

Cleaning Your Domicile

During the time of handling, y'all should also make sure to clean your firm thoroughly.¹ This includes:

Furniture
Bedding
Blankets
Floors
Toys

Make certain to pay special attention to soft surfaces and places your dog frequents. This will help make sure there are no actress mites crawling effectually in your firm, getting ready to re-infect your puppy correct after their treatment ends.

Tin Ear Mites Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, unless you lot intend to keep your furry friend in a bubble, at that place's no existent way to foreclose them from getting ear mites. That existence said, all promise is non lost.

While you might non be able to fully prevent them from getting ear mites, there are a few things yous can do to help reduce the likelihood of futurity infections.

Pay closer attention to where your four-legged friend runs off to. While it's not feasible to conceptualize every potential place ear mites tin can be, you can try to proceed them out of locations that have a college likelihood of ear mite transmission.
Another expert practice is to check your canis familiaris's ears when they go home from a canis familiaris park or other places where ear mites are unremarkably found.
1 of the all-time ways to help mitigate ear mites is to regularly clean your dog'southward ears . Not only volition cleaning your dog's ears regularly assistance promote good hygiene overall, but information technology will also help you lot spot ear mites sooner. And, ultimately, that will lead to a happier, healthier dog.

The Sound of Salubrious Ears—Vetericyn

Scratching, shaking, and bad scent all signal to one mutual enemy—the ear mite. Luckily, becoming enlightened of the signs and risks of ear mite infection is the start step to ensuring your pup's long-term health.

And as easy as information technology is to contract ear mites, it's too straightforward to make ear care a regular part of your dog's preparation routine.

If you're looking for a safe, effective mode to keep your domestic dog'southward ears make clean, look no further than Vetericyn Plus ® Antimicrobial Ear Rinse . Vetericyn offers condom options to continue your pet in proficient wellness, no thing their need.

Great for both routine ear care and helping alleviate irritation, Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Ear Rinse can help keep your iv-legged best friend healthy during all stages of ear care.

Sources:

PetMD. How to Go Rid of Ear Mites in Dogs . https://www.petmd.com/dog/weather condition/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_ear_mites .
PetMD. Ear Hematoma in Dogs . https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/ears/c_dg_dog_ear_hematoma .
Purina. Ear Mites in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment . https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/wellness/parasites/ear-mites-in-dogs .
Brekke Veterinary Clinic. What Causes Ear Mites in Dogs and Cats? https://www.brekkevet.com/blog/what-causes-ear-mites-in-dogs-and-cats .

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