Fly bites on a dog's ears, known as fly strike, are caused by the damage inflicted by biting flies. Bites can be painful and become easily infected. Fly strike usually affects the tips of the ears, where infection can form if left untreated. It is common for flies to bite and then deposit eggs on the dog's ear. Maggots will be present on the ear if the eggs are left to hatch.
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Preventive Treatment
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Spray and topical fly repellents are necessary for prevention. The most effective way to care for a dog that spends time outside is to prevent fly strike before it starts. Fly sprays and topical monthly preparations will help repel most varieties of biting flies. Effective preventatives contain pyrethrin or permethrin. Discuss your dog's health history with your veterinarian to determine which preventative will be most effective.
Control the flies in the dogs environment as well. Fly strips and non-chemical fly traps are helpful, in addition to the use of a repellent. Dogs that are highly susceptible to fly bites should be kept indoors when flies are most active.
Cleaning
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Use gentle soap and water to cleanse the affected area. If you notice bites or inflammation on your dog's ears, especially along the ear tips, treat them immediately. Clean the area with a mild soap, and be careful not to further abrade any sensitive areas of the ear. Once the dog's ears are cleaned and dried, examine the damaged area. Medications may be necessary to treat any infection caused by the fly bites. If maggots are present, a veterinarian should be consulted for immediate care.
Medications
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Use a gel-based antibiotic ointment to treat infected ears. The most important part of caring for a dog with fly strike is to prevent further damage to the ears. Once preventatives are in place and the dog's ears are cleaned, treat affected areas by applying topical antibiotic preparations. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments can be found in drug, pet and farm supply stores. The most effective ointments are those that have a gel-type consistency, which may shield the ear tips from further bites. Cleanse the ears once daily, and reapply the ointment as directed. Veterinary care will be needed if the dog's ears do not heal in a matter of days, or worsen with home treatment.
Special Collar
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If the dog continually scratches at its ears and makes them worse, a protective, cone-like Elizabethan collar may be used to keep the dog's paws away from its ears until they are healed.
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