Common Ear Ailments in Dogs & Cats: Symptoms & Treatmen
One: Ear MitesEar mites, also known as ear mange, are a common external parasitic pest in dogs and cats, usually寄生 in the ear canals of dogs and cats, feeding on the shed epidermal tissue and secreted oils from the ear canals. However, they can also appear on the head, neck, and tail of dogs and cats, and are highly contagious. The growth cycle of ear mites is approximately half a month to a month, with eggs hatching into larvae in about four days. Once the larvae mature into adults, they can immediately mate and lay eggs. Moreover, if the temperature and humidity in the environment reach certain conditions, ear mites can survive away from the host for about half a month.Dogs and cats are common hosts for ear mites, and there is also a possibility of mutual transmission between the two animals. Compared to dogs, cats have a higher chance of being infected with ear mites, but the possibility of humans being infected with ear mites is very low. The transmission of ear mites is mainly through close contact, so if there are multiple pets in the same home, all pets must be treated if one of them is infected with ear mites. Ear mites breed and grow in the ear canals of cats, and in a short period of time, they can produce thousands of adult mites and eggs. When a large number of ear mites invade the ear canals of dogs and cats, it may trigger allergies, or secondary bacterial or fungal infections.Symptoms of Ear Mites in Pets:After being infected with ear mites, dogs and cats will experience ear itching symptoms, which may also spread to the head and neck. In severe cases, it may even cause generalized itching. Dogs and cats will constantly scratch their ears or wildly shake their heads, and sometimes a large amount of dark brown or reddishbrown secretion will be shaken out of the ears. These secretions are mixed with ear canal oils, blood, inflammatory secretions, and ear mites. Ear mite infections can also lead to hair loss on the external ear of dogs and cats, or cause ear hematomas, and even trigger otitis, causing certain damage to the hearing of dogs and cats.Treatment Methods for Ear Mites in Dogs and Cats:The treatment of ear mites can use the solution of lysine iodine acetate, a dog and catspecific ear drop that has the effects of treating ear mites, relieving itching and swelling, and dissolving earwax. After the medicine is dripped into the ear canals of dogs and cats, it can penetrate deep into the inner ear, kill bacteria in the ear canals, and have an antiinflammatory effect. It is also mild and will not irritate the ears, so it can even be used for pregnant pets. Before using the ear drops, pet owners should first clean the external ear canals of dogs and cats with a cotton swab, then drop two to three drops of the medicine, gently massage the ears to promote uniform penetration of the medicine, and then use a cotton swab to clean out the medicine soaked in the ear.