Ear mites may be tiny, but they can cause your dog a lot of discomfort. These parasites feed off of earwax and other debris on your dog's skin. If left untreated, an earmite infection can cause your dog a lot more damage than just itchy ears---it can lead to damaged ear canals and even hearing loss.
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Symptoms
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A dog that has ear mites will often scratch its ears and the area surrounding them and shake its head in response to this discomfort. Check inside his ears; if it contains a dark substance, with characteristics similar to coffee grounds, there is a good chance that the buildup is dried blood due to ear mites. It may have a foul odor, too. Other things, such as a yeast or bacterial infection, can cause a similar buildup in the ears, and your vet can help you with the proper diagnosis (and can help determine the extent of the damage). The mites may be visible, however, so if you see small white specks, then you know your dog has ear mites.
Eradication
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Before any treatment, your dog's ears will need to be cleaned thoroughly to get to the source of the problem. You may want to enlist your veterinarian's help to make sure you do not damage your dog's ears and to make sure it is treated properly.
There are over-the-counter treatments available from your local pet store, or your vet can prescribe an insecticide that will kill the mites. Many flea and tick products, such as Frontline or flea shampoo, will help for ear mites, as they contain many of the same ingredients that are used in ear mite treatments. Follow product directions carefully. It is a good idea to treat your dog's entire body, as the mites can travel away from the ears and settle in other spots (even the dog's tail). If you have more than one dog in the same household, it is necessary to treat all of the animals. Ear mites are very contagious, though they will not affect humans.
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