Have you ever wondered what are ear mites in dogs? If your dog is shaking his/her head or scratching his/her ears, it’s possible that ear mites are the cause. In contrast to other parasites, ear mites do not bite or burrow. The bad news is that they are extremely contagious and can lead to more serious complications if left untreated.
As a result, if your dog has ear mites, it is critical that you act soon. You must prevent the spread of the disease while also preventing your dog from harming themselves. So, here’s some information about ear mites, including how to detect these pests… and how to get rid of them.
What Are Ear Mites
Ear mites are small spider-like critters that dwell in your pet’s ear canal and feed on its blood and ear canal tissue to stay alive. Adult mites can breed, resulting in an ever-increasing number of mites. It’s rare for an animal to have ear mites in only one ear, but when it does, it’s usually in both ears at the same time.
Ear mites come from the environment where your pet lives or goes to visit. Your cat or dog could become infected with ear mites from contact with an infected animal on the street, at your local pet groomer or even at your local veterinarian, because they are easily transmitted between animals.
A common concern is whether or not ear mites are capable of infecting humans. This isn’t the case, however. Only cats, dogs, and ferrets can transmit ear mites.
Spreading Ability
Ear mites spread quickly once your dog has them. In the course of a few weeks, female mites can produce up to 15 eggs. The eggs will hatch in 4 days… After that, the offsprings hatch and continue the cycle.
This cycle takes between 18 and 28 days. Not only can they infect your dog, but they can also infect your other pets, due to how quickly they spread. Make sure your cat or ferret is free of ear mites if your dog is infected.
It’s nearly impossible to see ear mites with the unaided eye. The symptoms and signs of an ear infection are quite similar to those of other ear problems.
How Ear Mites Affect Dogs
Affected dogs have itchy and irritated ears and constantly scratch their ears or shake their heads, which is a sign of ear mites. Rashes or other skin conditions may appear on the skin surrounding the ears, causing them to turn red.
Signs Of Ear Mites In Dogs
Itching and swelling are common side effects of ear mite bites on dogs. Dogs may scratch and shake their heads if they are uncomfortable. Other symptoms may emerge as a result of your dog becoming infected with mites.
Your dog’s ears and the area around them are likely to be red. Over-scratching the ears of a dog can also lead to raw skin on the dog. Some dogs’ ear infections are caused by mite infestations. Your dog’s ears may have what seems to be black coffee grounds if you look closely enough.
A pungent, rotten smell comes from this crumby buildup. Even if your dog only has mites in one ear, it is more likely that both ears will be infected. Ear mites can create more serious issues if left untreated. A dog’s scratching could lead to… if you don’t get rid of the ear mites.
- Loss of hearing
- a state of disarray
- Injuries to the outer or inner ear
- An ear hematoma.
- Tolerance of the ears
How Are Ear Mite Infestations Diagnosed
An ear mite infestation is more likely if the patient has been exposed to other cats or dogs. Ear mites are a common cause of ear diseases, but other illnesses can cause similar symptoms and must be considered before treatment can begin. Diagnoses are based on observation of the mite.
This is usually straightforward and can be accomplished either by using an otoscope to examine the pet’s ears or by microscopically examining discharge from the ear. It’s possible that the pet’s ears are so irritated that sedated care is required.
How Do You Keep Ear Mites From Spreading
To stop the spread of mites, make sure none of your pets get into contact with them. It’s possible that your veterinarian would advise treating all of your pets for ear mites if your dog already has them to prevent the it from spreading. Owners of dogs are urged to exercise caution while allowing their pets to contact other animals.
Keeping your cats indoors and away from stray cats can help prevent them from bringing home ear mites, which could subsequently spread to your dogs. Regularly cleaning your dog’s ears is a good way to catch ear mites before they spread.
Treatment For Ear Mites In Dogs
Dogs with ear mites need both cleaning and treatment to get rid of them. Cleaning your dog’s ear canal removes waste and other accumulated stuff, allowing medication to be properly absorbed and returning the tissue in your dog’s ears to normal. You can learn how to properly clean your dog’s ear from your vet if that’s something you’d like to do yourself.
Medications can include:
- Product for use in the ear canal
- Use a topical solution on your dog’s skin to deliver a systemic effect.
- A pill
- A succession of injections.
When it comes to your dog’s ear canal, some topical treatments can be used once, while others need to be used daily for 7 to 30 days. Based on your pet’s unique circumstances, your veterinarian will recommend a course of action.
The treatment also necessitates that all pets in the family receive medication so that they don’t spread the disease. Ask your veterinarian about the best treatment options for your individual animals.
Giggle Pets does not provide medical advice for animals – all content is general information and you should always seek professional advice from your veterinarian first.
