Otodectes cynotis, or ear mites, are arachnids, which mean they belong to the class of eight-legged invertebrates that includes spiders and ticks. Ear mites are parasites that feed on wax and dead skin cells inside a dog's ears, causing discomfort and setting the stage for bacterial infections and other more serious conditions including deafness.
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Symptoms and Complications
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A dog infested with ear mites will frequently scratch himself around the ears and shake his head. A dark brown debris resembling coffee grounds and that is made up of dried blood, puss and dirt can usually be seen inside the ear.
Frequent scratching can break the skin, opening up the possibility of bacterial infections, bleeding and swelling. Severe infestations can cause inner ear damage, resulting in a dog moving off-balance or walking with his head tilted off to the side. In extreme cases, deafness may result. Constant head shaking can also cause a hematoma to develop inside the ear when a blood vessel bursts and blood collects behind the ear drum.
Diagnosis
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Diagnosing ear mites usually involves an examination of the inside of the ear where ear mites can sometimes be seen as small white objects moving through the wax. A swab may be taken to be examined under a microscope to rule out other causes for the dog's discomfort.
Medications
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Treatment involves administering an oil-based remedy that will suffocate the mites by coating their breathing pores. Your veterinarian can prescribe a commercial insecticide and recommend a flea treatment to control any lingering mites outside the ears. Since secondary yeast infections can occur with ear mites or after treatment, your vet may also prescribe of an anti-yeast medication.
Treatment
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Begin by using an eye dropper or ear syringe to administer the mineral oil solution into the ear. Gently massage the ear from the outside to loosen the wax and debris and smother the mites. Once you're done, allow the dog to shake his head to dispel the oil and debris naturally. Any remaining debris can be wiped out with cotton balls soaked in mineral oil but care should be taken not to probe too deeply.
Treat for a period of seven to 10 days and repeat the treatment two weeks later.
Prevention and Control
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Ear mites are very contagious and are passed from animal to animal through contact and bedding. If one animal is found to be infested, all animals in the household should be checked and treated at the same time. Since it is not known how long mites can live off their host, it's also a good idea to shampoo the carpets and wash all bedding.
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