Ear mites are parasites that look like little ticks, but they are too tiny to see without a microscope. A dog can easily become infected with ear mites if it comes into close contact with another animal who has them. While ear mites are most common in puppies, they can infect any dog, making it feel miserable. If your dog has an ear mite infection, there are signs that can alert you to the problem.
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Scratching and Head Shaking
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Ear mites are itchy, and they love warm, moist environments like the ear canal. Ear mite activity will cause most dogs to scratch at their ears in an attempt to relieve the itching. Infected dogs will also exhibit head shaking, as they try to eject the mites from their ears (unsuccessfully). These are the symptoms most commonly seen first, and are an indication that you need to take your canine friend to a veterinarian for examination and treatment.
Swollen Ear Canal and Pain
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Having ear mites, especially for an extended time, can cause the ear to get infected. An infection that isn't treated can cause hearing loss, so if your dog's ears look irritated, be sure to take him to the veterinarian right away. A swollen ear canal will look red and inflamed, and if it's an infection, there may be a pus-like discharge. A dog with a painful ear will yelp or resist if you try to touch it, and may shake his head frequently.
Lack of Appetite
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Sometimes the intense pain and itching from ear mites can cause your dog to refuse his food. Lack of appetite alone isn't enough to point to ear mites as the cause, but combined with any of the other listed symptoms, it might lead you to suspect ear mites.
Brown or Black Ear Discharge
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This strange stuff that looks like wet coffee grounds is dried blood, the result of the mites biting the ears. Your veterinarian will take a sample of this material to check under the microscope, to diagnose whether it is ear mites. Part of the treatment for ear mites involves carefully cleaning this material out of the ear with a cotton ball before applying medicine. Your veterinarian will show you how to do this safely.
Loss of Balance or Vomiting
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When the ear canal is being blocked by mites or by the black material, it can cause a dog to experience dizziness and a loss of balance. The imbalance can also lead to vomiting. These two symptoms can also be a result of other problems, so if your dog is experiencing them, a trip to the veterinarian is worthwhile.
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