Dog Ear Mites
Introduction
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Definition of Ear Mites in Dogs
Ear mites are tiny parasitic insects that spend most of their lives in and around the external ear canals of the animals they infest. Occasionally, they are found on other areas of their host’s skin, such as paws, head, neck, rump and tail. The ear mite of concern in domestic dogs (and cats) is Otodectes cynotis. Otodectes mites feed off of their hosts’ blood, skin and tissues. They cause a severe allergic reaction that is accompanied by itchiness, scratching, head-shaking, rubbing, waxy build-up, hair loss, open sores and a great deal of anxiety for the dog and for its owner. Otodectes mites are extremely contagious between domestic animals and are one of the most common causes of ear-related problems in puppies and young adult dogs.
Ear mite infestation is almost always caused by contact with an infested animal or its bedding. These tiny mites are extremely contagious between dogs. They can also infest cats, rabbits and ferrets. The average life cycle of ear mites is about 3 weeks. Otodectes mites cannot survive free in the environment, as they have no means of providing themselves with shelter or food. Ear mites spend virtually all of their short lives on a host
It only takes a very few ear mites to cause an intense allergic reaction in dogs. Affected dogs will have extremely itchy, irritated, sensitive ears and will be very uncomfortable. They will try to relieve their discomfort by scratching at their ears, head and neck vigorously and relentlessly. They will rub their ears on the ground or on furniture and will shake their heads violently. Unfortunately, these efforts will only cause them to suffer further
Infection by ear mites – typically, by Otodectes cynotis – causes an intense allergic reaction that is accompanied by itchiness, scratching, head-shaking, rubbing, waxy build-up, hair loss and sores. It is not difficult to diagnose ear mites in omestic dogs.Ear mites are easily diagnosed by sampling the waxy discharge from inside the affected ears and examining it in mineral oil under a microscope or magnifying glass. The sample is best obtained using a soft cotton
Prompt treatment is essemtial to prevent serious complications from ear mite infestation. The goals of treating ear mites in dogs are to relieve inflammation of the outer ear canal, resolve secondary bacterial infections and eliminate as many predisposing factors as possible. The overall goal is to return the dog to a healthy condition that is free from pain, itchiness and other types of discomfort. Treatment for ear mites is almost always done on an outpatient