What Kind of Health Problems Can Ear Mites Cause for a Dog?

Dogs can easily become infested with ear mites from being outdoors or around other dogs. They can even contract them from cats that live in the same home. If your dog has been diagnosed with ear mites, eliminate them as soon as possible to prevent health problems. The ear mites themselves do not carry disease, but they are certainly responsible for a host of other problems.

  1. Itching and Discomfort

    • Dogs seem to scratch endlessly when ear mites are present.

      The mites that have invaded your dog's ears are parasites that have taken up house and will live, feed, eliminate and multiply there. It is no surprise that the first noticeable health problems you may see in a dog with ear mites is that they constantly scratch their ears or shake their heads. After scratching becomes constant, ears become tender and your dog may whine while scratching.

    Infection and Hearing Problems

    • Dogs can get ear mites from other dogs and cats.

      All the scratching your dog has done may cause bleeding inside or around the base of the ears. These wounds, compounded with the sores from ear mite bites, can leave your pet very susceptible to painful ear infections. Unpleasant smells, inflamed ears that are hot to the touch and any type of discharge from the ears are definite signs of an ear infection. With so many foreign objects in your pet's ears, hearing loss is a possible concern. Drainage, swelling, and the mites may cause temporary hearing problems, says the Dog Health Handbook. At this stage of ear mite infestation, you can still eradicate the mites, but your dog will need help from a veterinarian to heal the ear infections.

    Alopecia

    • Ear mites can spread to other parts of your dog's body. First, it can be noticed at the base of the ears, then the mites will spread to the neck and eventually the rest of your dog's body. This type of severe infestation may cause your pet's fur to fall out (called alopecia).

    Other Health Concerns

    • The damage a long-term ear mite infestation can be dangerous. With so many feeding mites, your dog's immune system may be compromised, leaving it susceptible to illness and disease. Other health concerns can be a loss of balance, allergic reactions to the bites of the mite, or bacterial skin infections. Ear mites are easily exterminated and should be treated to avoid any of these medical problems. Many of the treatments are sold over the counter and others can be made from natural ingredients. Your veterinarian will have the fastest treatment to rid your dog of ear mites.