Dog Shaking Head Due to Itchy Ears: Effective Medicatio

It's quite normal for dogs to scratch themselves occasionally, but if you notice your furry friend constantly shaking their head and scratching their ears, it's time to take notice. Your dog might be suffering from ear mites or otitis externa! Don't worry too much, though; ear mites and mild otitis externa can often be treated at home, and the process isn't as daunting as it might seem. Today, I'll walk you through the specific treatment methods.

Part 1: Distinguishing Between Ear Mites and Otitis Externa

Ear mites are typically caused by the ear itching mite, which can cause severe itching in the ear canal, leading to the production of brown or dark brown secretions.

Otitis externa can result from various factors such as water in the ear canal, foreign objects, overcleaning, or lack of cleaning for an extended period, as well as secondary bacterial infections due to ear mites. This can lead to redness, hair loss, and the appearance of watery or puslike secretions.

For more complex ear canal situations that are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, it's advisable to visit a veterinary clinic for an ear canal examination to help determine the type of infection.

Part 2: Treating Ear Mites in Dogs

1. Ear Canal Cleaning Solution: Use Erfei Fen (Pet Ear Cleaning Solution) or other petspecific ear cleaning solutions to clean your dog's ear canal secretions. Initially, do this daily, and then reduce to 23 times a week as symptoms improve.

How to Use: After applying the ear cleaning solution, gently massage the base of your dog's ear canal to distribute the liquid and soften the earwax. Wait for about 30 seconds, then release your dog's head. Your dog will shake its head to expel the ear drops and any debris. At this point, you can use a cotton swab or tissue to wipe away the remaining residue.

2. Xin'er Ning (Compound Nystatin Ointment): This ointment contains effective ingredients such as neomycin sulfate, nystatin, triamcinolone acetonide, and permethrin, which can help with antibacterial and antifungal properties, ear mite removal, and relief from ear itching.

3. Deworming Medication: The key to treating ear mites is deworming. During treatment, deworm your dog every 1015 days, and once for prevention and consolidation every 30 days. For mite infections, it is generally recommended to use deworming medications containing ivermectin (not for Collies) or selamectin, such as the Dropai (Pyriproxyfen and Moxidectin Drop) from Puant, which has a broader spectrum of deworming effects.

Part 3: Treating Otitis Externa in Dogs

1. Clean the Ear Canal: Use petspecific ear cleaning solutions to clean the ear canal environment daily.

2. Antiinflammatory and Pain Relief: After cleaning, apply Erdi Ke (Fluoroxyfonate and Metronidazole Ear Drops), which contain fluoroxyfonate and metronidazole for dual antibacterial effects. Combine this with oral Ai Su Da (Cefahexim Hydrochloride Tablets) for bacterial infections causing otitis externa and mild otitis media, which usually shows improvement within a few days.

Important Notes:

① Whether it's otitis externa or ear mites, during treatment, it's important to keep your dog fitted with an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from scratching their ears excessively, which could lead to the spread of bacteria or skin damage.

② If there's no sign of improvement in your dog's ear canal after 57 days of selfadministering medication, it's advisable to seek veterinary care promptly to determine if there is a mixed fungal infection or if there are foreign objects in the ear canal.