3-Step Simple Cure for Dog Ear Mites: Quick Relief!

Be alert if your furry friend is frequently scratching at its ears or shaking its head — it might be suffering from ear mites!

Ear mites, also known as ear mange, are a common ear canal parasite that often resides in the ears of dogs and cats. They can also be found in other areas such as the head, neck, and tail.

Ear mites feed on skin debris and tissue fluid, which continuously irritates the ear canal mucosa, leading to itching. Dogs will scratch their ears, shake their heads, or engage in other behaviors to alleviate the itching. In severe cases, this can result in hair loss on the outer ear, infections, and even conditions like ear hematomas and otitis media.

— Symptoms of Ear Mite Infection in Dogs

● Itching: Dogs may frequently shake, tilt, or scratch their ears.

● Increased Discharge: There may be a large amount of reddishbrown or black discharge in the ears.

● Unpleasant Odor: The ears may emit a foul, acidic smell.

● Hair Loss: Frequent scratching can cause hair loss around the ears, with redness and pus in the ear canal.

● Tear Stains: Severe ear mites can lead to eye inflammation and infection, resulting in tear stains.

E区分耳螨和马拉色菌感染可能有些困难， both typically present with dark, greasy discharge and an unpleasant odor, and they can sometimes occur together. If there's a distinction, ear mites often manifest as greasy, granular material, while马拉色菌 infections tend to be more sticky and wetlooking, with a potential fungal infection indicated by black spots in the ear canal.

— Treating Ear Mites in Dogs

The treatment for ear mites in dogs is straightforward and can be broken down into three main steps: cleaning, medicating, and deworming. Consistency is key!

Step 1: Cleaning the Ears

● Gently pour Erbanol (Pet Ear Care Solution) into the ear canal. Avoid using boric acid and eugenol, as they can be quite irritating.

● Gently massage the ear canal opening for 30 to 60 seconds.

● Allow the dog to shake out the ear cleaning solution.

● Use a cotton ball and hemostat to wipe the ear and surrounding area clean.

Step 2: Applying Medication

After cleaning the ears, apply Xin'er Ning (Compound Miconazole Soft Gel), which contains neomycin sulfate, triamcinolone acetonide, and permethrin, among other ingredients, offering antibacterial, antipruritic, and acaricidal effects. Use twice daily initially, then once daily after 7 days, and 2 to 3 times weekly as symptoms improve.

Step 3: Deworming

Administer deworming medication containing selamectin, ivermectin (not for use in Collies), and pyriproxyfen moxidectin, among others, once a month.

Since the life cycle of ear mites is between 18 to 28 days, the medication should be continued for at least 21 days to ensure the condition does not recur.

During treatment, keep the following in mind:

1. Maintain a clean environment: Regularly clean the indoor environment, especially areas where cats sleep, use litter boxes, and play with toys.

2. Regular deworming: Deworm cats monthly to prevent them from being infested with mites, fleas, and other external parasites.

3. Use an Elizabethan collar: This can prevent cats from scratching their ears, which can lead to skin damage or the spread of mites to other parts of the body.

In cases of severe infection, consider seeking veterinary care for injection treatment. These mitekilling injections are typically administered once every 1 to 2 weeks for a total of 4 times, which should lead to a full recovery.