Affordable Home Remedies for Dog Ear Mites in Under 20

My dog has a peculiar habit of sneaking into the bed to play, and I often take him to the park to frolic with other canines. Little did I know that this was how he contracted ear mites!

The symptoms of ear mites in dogs are quite noticeable. There's a buildup of dry, brownish earwax in the ear canal, accompanied by an unpleasant odor. You might notice your furry friend frequently scratching, shaking his head, or tilting his head to one side. Sometimes, they even rub their ears against furniture like tables or cabinets.

For the past month, I've been diligently treating my dog's ear mites by administering deworming medication twice a month and taking him to the pet store for ear cleaning and ear hair removal. At home, I've been using ear drops daily. However, despite my efforts, the condition persisted for over a month. The earwax would reappear within a day or two after cleaning, and the constant scratching had almost caused his ear fur to thin out!

After consulting with a veterinarian, I discovered that I had been using the wrong deworming medication, and the ear drops were only moderately effective. It was clear that my initial efforts had been in vain.

Finally, I followed the vet's advice and adjusted the treatment plan. It took about two weeks, but my dog's ears were mostly healed!

Treatment Steps for Dog Ear Mites:

1. Deworming: I had been using a combination of nonylphenol and praziquantel ear drops for deworming, but the vet informed me that this ingredient was ineffective against mites. I switched to pyriproxyfen moxidectin, an easytouse topical solution. Initially, I applied it every two weeks, then once a month after improvement.

2. Ear Cleaning: I used a gentle Ear Cleanse (Pet Ear Care Solution) to clean my dog's ears, applying it 12 times daily.

Cleaning Steps:

① Gently pull back your dog's ear and drop 23 drops of the ear wash into the ear canal;

② Gently massage the base of the ear to soften the earwax;

③ Release your dog, allowing him to shake out the debris, and then wipe it clean with a tissue.

3. Applying Ear Ointment: After cleaning, carefully apply a thin layer of HealEar (Miconazole Nitrate Ointment), which is highly effective against ear mites. After about five days, you'll notice that your dog's ears will start to look less red.

4. Wearing a Collar: Dogs with ear mites can be very itchy and will scratch constantly. To prevent them from scratching their ears raw, it's essential to fit them with an Elizabethan collar!

5. Consistent Treatment: The vet explained that the life cycle of ear mites is between 1828 days. Therefore, it's crucial to continue treatment for at least 28 days after the ear canal appears to be improving. After the symptoms subside, you can clean the ears every 23 days and apply some ointment.

Although my initial treatment was ineffective, the vet reassured me that at least I caught the infection early and regular cleaning prevented secondary bacterial infections and otitis media. It was a relief to know that I hadn't caused my dog unnecessary suffering due to my mistakes.