Ear mites are microscopic insects that infest a dog's ear canals They survive on ear wax and skin oils, irritating the ear canal lining until it discharges blood serum. The serum mixes with ear wax and dead mites, forming a black crusty substance, the classic symptom of ear mite infestation. The discharge may block air from entering the ear canal, allowing bacteria and fungi to flourish. Ear mites move easily among pets, all of which need treatment to prevent recurring infestations. Remedies are either topical or injectable.
-
Injections for Ear Mites
-
Dr. Wendy C. Brooks, DBM, DiplAVBV, recommends using the injectable anthelmintic ivermectin to treat your dog if he doesn't want his ears handled. Although it isn't FDA-approved, ivermectin treatment requires only a weekly or biweekly shot.
Washington State University has compiled a list of breeds carrying a mutation that won't let them process ivermectin properly. Ask your vet to run a sensitivity test to see if your dog has the mutation.
Advantage Multi
-
Your vet may prescribe the one-dose prescription topical Revolution to rid your dog of her ear mites in a single application, but you'll still need to remove all the wax and discharge from her ears. Revolution contains the ivermectin derivative selamectin. Apply it between her shoulder blades at the base of her neck where she can't lick it off.
The strength of the Revolution ointment your vet prescribes will depend on your pet's weight, so make sure you get the correct one. Use the entire contents of the tube. Immediately wash off any ointment on your skin.
Other Topicals
-
Ear mites often cause secondary bacterial and fungal infections and inflammation. Prescription Tresaderm, applied for 10 days, has the antibiotic neomycin, the anti-inflammatory dexamethasone and thiabendazole to treat both the mites and yeast.
After cleaning your dog's ears thoroughly, apply between five and 15 drops of Tresaderm to them twice a day for one week. This will destroy both the mites and their eggs. Over-the-counter ear mite medications contain insecticides, but won't eradicate mite eggs. You'll have to use them for a full three weeks to kill the mites as they grow. The availability and low cost of these treatments are their major advantages.
Your dog, however, may not like the idea of having his sore ears handled daily for three weeks. If you're treating more than one pet as you need to with ear mite infestations, three weeks of multiple treatments can be a chore.
-