How can I treat my dogs ear mites at home?

Ear mites are a relatively common issue for dog owners to contend with, and it’s important to know how to safely and effectively treat the issue at home. Unfortunately, ear mites are incredibly contagious, and can quickly spread between animals, so it’s important to get the problem under control and fast. There are several steps you can take to treat ear mites in your dog at home, but it’s important to understand the best treatments available, as well as the safety risks involved. This blog post will cover the basics of treating ear mites in dogs at home, the best home treatments to use, and the potential risks associated with those treatments. After reading this post, you’ll have a better understanding of the best ways to treat your dog’s ear mites at home, and the steps you can take to ensure the safety of your pet.

What Are Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis)?

Occasionally, people will refer to mange (sarcoptic or demodectic) as “ear mites.”

But there’s a specific kind of ear mite we’ll cover in this post. It’s called Otodectes cynotis and it’s one of the most common types of ear mites (1). It’s also a type of mange, also called Otodectic mange.

These pesky little critters are actually arachnids, members of the same family as ticks, spiders, and scorpions. But unlike their cousins, they don’t bite.

A dog’s ear canal is where ear mites typically live, but they can also appear elsewhere on the body. They feed off wax and oils in your dog’s ears. And that makes your dog itchy.

Ear mites are parasites. They are eager to move in and establish a home because they don’t survive long without a host. Furthermore, the ear canal is a comfortable place to live and eat.

Cats are more likely to contract these mites, but your dog can also do so. They’re also quite contagious to other dogs, cats and ferrets. Therefore, if you have other pets, you should address the issue right away. (Don’t worry, ear mites don’t usually affect humans. Rarely, people might get a skin rash from them. ).

Younger dogs may be more susceptible to ear mites. But any age dog can get them.

Your dog can pick up ear mites from the outdoors. But they typically originate from another animal, such as a dog, cat, or ferret. Outdoor cats are a common source of infection. (Foxes can also get ear mites, but it’s unlikely that your dog is hanging out with them.)

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, cats may have 1000 mites in each ear. Dogs usually have far fewer. (The site also has some good enlarged photos of ear mites … in case you want to see what they look like!)

Once your dog gets ear mites, they spread fast. In the course of their brief existence, female mites can produce 15-20 eggs. The eggs hatch in 4 days, and the young then produce more eggs on their own. The egg-to-egg cycle takes about 18-28 days.

As previously mentioned, they spread quickly to your other pets as well as your dog. Check your cat or ferret if your dog has ear mites as well. You may need to treat them as well.

Ear mites are almost invisible to the naked eye. And the symptoms are similar to other ear problems.

How to Treat Ear Mites

You must treat both ears twice a week for at least three weeks using a commercial product from your veterinarian or pet store. However, you must use natural remedies daily for a month. This is due to the fact that eggs will continue to hatch for at least that long and could easily reinfest the ears. To treat secondary bacterial infections, the veterinarian may advise applying antibiotic ointment or taking steroid medications to reduce inflammation. Regardless of whether you use a store-bought or homemade solution, the process is the same.

Wear old clothes. You’re liable to get the tea, oil, or commercial product all over you when the puppy shakes his head.

Gather your supplies. You’ll need the medicine, an applicator, a clean cloth, and treats. Commercial products come in squirt bottles. For homemade products, you can use an eye dropper or squirt bottle—or try a travel-size toiletry bottle for convenience. A clean, dry washcloth helps clean off excess medicine after the treatment.

Set small pups on a table or counter next to the supplies; kneel beside larger pups. An extra set of hands can be helpful to keep a junior pup from wiggling away.

Pet your puppy, rub his itchy ears, and speak in a matter-of-fact voice. Baby talk or “poor thing” types of language can cue that the experience will be unpleasant, and you want him to take the treatment in stride. Firmly grasp the pinna (ear flap) with your left hand to expose the opening and keep the pup from shaking his head too soon.

It works best to clean out all the goop before applying the ear medicine, otherwise, the waxy material might protect the ear mites. Use the tea solution first, and then follow up with the oily medication.

Drip several drops of the liquid into the pup’s ear. The dog’s ear canal is shaped like an “L” and travels down and then inward toward the center of his head. Don’t poke anything into the ears; just drip and let gravity move the liquid where it needs to go; otherwise, you risk hurting the eardrum and damaging the pup’s hearing.

Massage the base of the medicated ear. It should sound a bit squishy as the liquid moves inside and loosens the debris. When the ears aren’t too sore, puppies like the ear-rubbing massage and will lean into your hand with moans of enjoyment because it helps soothe that deep-seated itch.

Let go of the pup’s ear and duck as he shakes his head and the debris flies out. Wipe the parts of the ear you can see with the cloth. You may need to do a second application to get all the goop.

Feed a treat to your puppy for putting up with the treatment. Repeat on the other ear.

Your puppy will look a bit oily for the duration. To cure that “wet head” look, a puppy bath may be called for at the end of the month-long treatment.

If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pets health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.

What Are the Symptoms of Ear Mites in Dogs?

Ear mites in dogs cause an intense itch. The most typical signs of an ear mite infection are head shaking, ear scratching, and a foul odor or dark discharge coming from the ears.

Small bumps and scratches, as well as secondary skin infections, can appear around the ear, neck, rump, and tail as a result of scratching and shaking. Other ear infections, such as bacterial and yeast infections, can resemble ear mite infections.

FAQ

How do you get rid of mites in dogs ears?

When treating canine and puppy ear mites, NexGard® or NexGard SPECTRA® is very effective. Dogs with ear mites may experience secondary ear infections that need further care. If ear irritation persists, always consult with your vet.

What is the fastest way to get rid of ear mites?

“There are many topical, oral, and systemic agents,” Dr. Miller notes, “and most—such as ivermectin—are highly effective. Even one old-time remedy—baby oil—can do the job. The mites can usually be eradicated by applying a few drops into an affected ear several times per day for about a month. ”.

How do you get rid of ear mites in dogs without going to the vet?

1. Clean the ear with olive oil.
2. Remove as much debris as possible.
3. The oil helps asphyxiate the mites.
4. Repeat this every 3 days for 2 weeks.

What is a natural remedy for ear mites?

Your dog or cat may have ear mites if they are constantly scratching their ears. Try this home remedy after consulting your veterinarian: mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with 1 cup warm water, then apply the solution to your pet’s ears with a cotton ball. Repeat this treatment every day until your pet stops scratching.