Effective Treatment for Dog Ear Mites: Quick Guide
Ear mites are parasites that reside within a dog's external ear canal. They primarily feed by piercing the skin to suck lymph fluid and consume the outer layer of skin cells. This process can cause severe irritation to the local area, leading to thickening of the skin and the formation of reddishbrown scabs. This condition can result in otitis externa, or external ear inflammation, in dogs. The ear canal in dogs is shaped like the letter 'L', which makes it particularly prone to accumulating oils, dust, and moisture. On one hand, the long fur around the ears can easily obscure the ear canal, preventing proper airflow. On the other hand, the ear canal is lined with many ear hairs, which can trap dirt and moisture, leading to infections and inflammation.
Symptoms include the growth of ear hair within the canal, along with dark brown secretions adhering to it. Due to the thickening of the skin, the ear canal becomes narrower, and pressing on the dog's ear elicits a noticeable pain. Visible symptoms on the ear flap may include dark brown crusts and an unpleasant odor, which can be indicative of this condition.
Treatment involves cleaning the ear canal and removing ear hair. First, use a sterile cotton ball soaked in ear cleaning solution to clean around the ear. Then, sprinkle a small amount of ear powder into the ear canal and massage it to ensure even distribution. Use your thumb and forefinger to gently pull out the visible ear hair, and for areas that are difficult to reach, use a hemostat. After removing the hair, wrap the hemostat with sterile cotton, apply ear cleaning solution, and thoroughly clean the ear canal. Continue cleaning until the cotton changes from dark brown to light yellow. Finally, use the cotton to wipe the entire ear clean, and the ear will be pink when the cleaning is complete.
Following the cleaning, drop 1 to 2 drops of ear mite solution into the dog's ear canal and gently massage to ensure even distribution of the medication. Additionally, administer a single subcutaneous injection of 1% ivermectin. The dog should be cured within two weeks. Continue to apply the ear mite solution daily until the dog recovers. It is crucial not to discontinue treatment prematurely, as this may delay recovery.
