Whenever you see your dog scratching on its head, they are not acting like they are curious. Rather, the tweaking of the head and the subsequent scratching of the ear is an indication that there is something lingering around the ear. One such irritating is actually the ear mites.
What are ear mites
Essentially, ear mites are a common parasite that lives most of its life in the dog’s ear itself. They do not pose a threat to the dog’s life, but it can be irritating and frustrating for the dog since the presence of the ear mites causes the dog some irritation.
Since the ear mite lives its entire life mostly in the ear, you can expect tons of eggs in the ear canal when there is an ear mite infestation. This is entirely possible since ear mites survive on the debris from the skin.
Ear mites can be transmitted from an infected animal to another, so this is something that you will need to be mindful of.
How do you determine if the dog has ear mites?
There are a few ways at which you can determine if the dog has ear mites. One way is actually to note the dog’s behavior. If the dog is constantly tweaking its head out of the blue and scratching the ear, then it is a sign that the ear mite has caused irritation and the dog is trying to remove it by scratching on that part of the ear.
You can further investigate the presence of ear mites by looking at the ear canal itself. If you notice the presence of dark red patchy spots on the ear or even discharge with a sand-like feel, then chances are there are ear mites present in the ear!
If the above is detected, always bring your dog to the vet to seek professional consultation.
How to treat ear mites
As mentioned, once you detect the presence of ear mites, it is important for you to bring your dog to the vet immediately. This is because the vet will be able to determine the type of treatment that you can bring to your dog. Of course, there is always medication that you can buy over the counter to help treat the ear mite infestation problem, but it will be less effective than the process done by the vet.
For the first step, the vet will clean the dog’s ear to ensure that most of the ear mites are being removed, at least for the least stubborn ear mites. Once this is done, an antiparasitic medication will be added into the ear itself. This will help to kill most of the remaining ear mites. If the infestation is bad and it has eaten onto your dog’s skin, then the vet will most likely prescribe antibiotics to your dog. In severe cases, an injection can be given to the dog in the form of injectable ivermectin.
Once this is done, the vet will prescribe some treatment solutions for you so that you can monitor the situation at home. Note that you should follow strictly to the schedule as per described by the vet, else all the efforts will be wasted!
Preventing Ear Mites In Dogs
Preventing ear mites in dogs is much easier than treating them. The best way to prevent ear mites in dogs is to keep their ears clean and dry. Regular ear cleaning is important to remove any wax or debris from the ear canal, which can create a breeding ground for ear mites. You should also keep your dog’s living environment clean and free of any fleas or other parasites. Regular grooming can also help to prevent ear mites in dogs, as it can help to detect and remove any early signs of infestation.
Conclusion
Ear mites can be a frustrating and uncomfortable problem for your furry friend, but with the right treatment and prevention, you can keep them at bay. If you suspect that your dog has ear mites, it is important to take them to a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. Remember to keep your dog’s ears clean and dry and to keep their living environment free of any parasites to prevent future infestations.
