Effective Dog Ear Mite Treatment Method: Give It a Try!

When you notice a buildup of dark brown earwax in your dog's ears, which eventually hardens into a large mass and emits an unpleasant odor, it's a sign that your furry friend might be suffering from ear mites. Unlike other common ailments, ear mites are not typically lifethreatening, but they are quite challenging to treat. Today, Dr. OxygenPet is here to enlighten you about the causes, symptoms, and definitive treatment methods for dog ear mites!

Understanding Dog Ear Mites

Ear mites, also known as ear mange, are tiny parasites that reside in a dog's ear canal, feasting on skin flakes and tissue fluid. These pests reproduce rapidly, and if left untreated, they can lead to inflammation, increased itching, and even secondary infections.

● Common Causes: Longterm lack of deworming, poor living conditions, or contact with other dogs or cats infected with ear mites.

● Prone Breeds: All dog breeds can contract ear mites, but those with long ears and dense ear hair, such as Poodles, Golden Retrievers, and Beagles, are more susceptible to developing otitis externa after infection.

Symptoms of Ear Mite Infection in Dogs

• Your dog may frequently shake its head, scratch at its ears, tilt its head, or rub its body against objects to relieve itching.

• You might notice black or brown waxy discharge in the ears, possibly accompanied by a foul smell.

• The ears may appear red and inflamed.

• There could be hair loss and skin damage around the ears.

Severe ear mite infections can lead to otitis media, and the constant shaking and scratching can cause ear hematomas and skin diseases around the ears.

Diagnosis Methods

● Earwax Examination: Ear mite infections often produce dry, black or brown waxy earwax that differs from normal earwax.

● Laboratory Testing: This is the most direct and effective way to confirm ear mite infection. A veterinarian will use a cotton swab or ear scoop to collect earwax samples from deep within your dog's ear canal. The samples are then placed on a slide, a few drops of mineral oil or saline are added, and the vet examines them under a microscope for live mite bodies, eggs, or mite excrement.

Treatment Steps for Dog Ear Mites

1. Clean the Ears: Prepare medical cotton swabs or balls and clamps, along with pet ear cleaning solution, to clean your dog's ear canal of secretions. Do this once a day, and after a week, if the secretions decrease, reduce to every three days until you've completed the 21day cleaning process.

▲ Note: Ensure the ear cleaning solution is gentle, ideally a plantbased, mild pet ear care solution. Ear mites can puncture a dog's ear canal skin, so a harsh cleaning solution can be as painful as punishment!

2. Apply Ear Mite Medication: After cleaning, apply a layer of Xin'er Ning (a compound nystatin ointment) to your dog's ear canal. This compound nystatin ointment contains nystatin, neomycin sulfate, triamcinolone acetonide, and permethrin, which effectively inhibit fungi, Grampositive bacteria, staphylococci, and ear mites. It also has excellent antiinflammatory and preventive effects against ear canal infections.

3. Wear an Elizabethan Collar: This prevents your dog from scratching and damaging the ear skin, hair loss, and also avoids spreading ear mites to other parts of the body through its paws.

4. Deworming: Use an external deworming medication containing pyriproxyfen moxidectin to deworm your dog once a month. Also, clean your dog's living environment, wash its bedding, toys, and frequently used areas, and sundry the doghouse.

▲ Note: Cocker Spaniels should not use deworming medications containing avermectin or ivermectin; nonpyrethroids are less effective against ear mites and are not recommended for treatment.

(Before and after treatment of past cases)

Preventive Measures

• Regular ear cleaning: Regularly pluck your dog's ear hair and use ear cleaning solution once a week to clean earwax secretions and prevent ear infections.

• Regular deworming: Adult dogs should be dewormed once a month, and internal deworming can be done every 23 months.

• Maintain a clean environment: Regularly clean your dog's living environment, especially the doghouse and areas where your dog frequently plays.

• Keep the ear canal dry: Check for water in the ear canal after your dog bathes, swims, or gets rained on, and dry it immediately.

Conclusion:

While dog ear mites are not difficult to treat, it requires the consistency of the owner and the correct use of medication. The survival cycle of ear mites is 21 days, and many people stop medication after a few days of treatment, which is why they often relapse. Additionally, maintaining a clean environment is crucial during the treatment process!