What Are Ear Mites And How Do I Get Them Off My Dog?
By Kelly Marshall

Has your dog been scratching and picking at his ears more than usual? When you take a closer look at his ear to find out why he's doing this, did you notice that his ear has a dark discoloration? You might have also noticed a bad smelling discharge coming from the stained ear. It's possible that your dog now has ear mites.

So what the heck are ear mites and how do you get rid of them? Will ear mites affect your dog’s hearing? If you have other pets in your house, should you be worried that the ear mites are contagious? This article will answer these questions for you.

Ear mites are tiny little parasites that feed on skin particles inside your dog’s ear. They have tentacles that attach to and irritate the ear canal, making your dog vulnerable to fungal or bacterial infection.

Ear mites are usually very contagious. They are known to wander out of the dog’s ear and into the dog’s fur until they eventually plant themselves into another dog's ears. And because they can easily hop from one dog to another, they are easily transferred from a mother to her puppies. This makes ear mites the most common source of ear infection in young dogs and puppies.

The most common symptoms of ear mites include excessive scratching of the ear, head shaking, constant rubbing of the ear against the wall or any objects, and a waxy, dark-colored discharge. The ear may also look darker than normal, crusty and usually smells bad.

If you think that your dog could have ear mites, get him to the vet as soon as possible. Early treatment is critical to prevent a more serious ear infection. Once your vet confirms the diagnosis of ear mites, treatment entails cleaning out the debris with an insecticidal preparation that will kill the mites. Your vet will also instruct you to continue on with the treatment at home on a daily basis. This daily treatment of ear mites usually goes on for about three weeks.

In addition to prescribing medication, your vet might also tell you to get flea powder and sprinkle it on the dog’s skin. This process will destroy leftover mites that were able to migrate from your dog’s ear. Your vet may also suggest that you treat other dogs and cats in your home that might have become infected through direct contact. Make sure to complete the entire peroid of treatment. Since mites lay their eggs inside the ears, a new crop will again infect your dog if you stop the treatment too early.

About the Author:
Kelly Marshall writes for Oh My Dog Supplies - see the current special on car seat covers for dogs.

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