Dog Ear Mite Infection

Identification

• Ear mites are small parasitic mites that may be found in the dog's ears, head and body. Ear mites live on the surface of the ear canal and feed on tissue debris and fluids. Although a dog of any age can develop an ear mite infection, it is more common in puppies because they haven't built up an immunity to the mites.

Symptoms

• The symptoms most commonly associated with an ear mite infection in dogs may include shaking the head, scratching the ears excessively, black crusty discharge in the dog's ear, an odor from the ear and and an increase in earwax. Ear mites may also cause inflammation in the dog's ears.

Diagnosis

• The diagnosis of an ear mite infection must be made by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will look in the dog's ears with an instrument called an otoscope. If your dog has an ear mite infection, the mites will be visible, as the light draws the mites out of the earwax and causes them to move. The proper diagnosis of an ear mite infection is important because there are many conditions--such as a yeast infection--that may mimic the symptoms of ear mites. Certain mite medications may aggravate this type of condition, so proper diagnosis is very important to your dog's health.

Treatment

• The treatment for an ear mite infection includes a thorough cleaning of your dog's ears. The veterinarian may prescribe an anti-mite medication and teach you how to clean your dog's ears at home. This must be done regularly to prevent re-infestation. If your dog has mites on his skin as well as his ears, the veterinarian may prescribe a topical medication to apply to the affected areas. You will probably need to return to the veterinarian in several weeks for a follow-up.

Prevention/Solution

• You can prevent an ear mite infection in your dog by checking his ears on a regular basis and drying his ears after giving him a bath. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has symptoms of an ear mite infection.