Introduction
Ear mites are external parasites that live within the ear canal of the animal they infest; these mites can also be found on other areas of the animal’s skin. The Otodectes cynotis ear mites in dogs are extremely contagious to other animals, and a dog’s ears can become permanently damaged if the mites are not treated in a timely manner.
Symptoms of Ear Mite Infestation
Once a dog has become infested with ear mites, the presence of the ear mites causes an allergic reaction in the dog’s ears. As a result, the dog’s ears begin to excrete more wax and the dog experiences intense itching in the ears. The ears soon become red and inflamed, and the outside of the ears may lose hair as a result of the dog continuously itching and rubbing the skin.
The main symptoms of ear mites in dogs include:
- Large amounts of thick dark wax in the ear
- Excess scratching of the ears or rubbing the ears on the floor or with the paws
- Repeatedly shaking the head
- Hair loss around the ears
- Inflamed, red ears
If left untreated, the constant scratching can produce sores on the ears which can develop into secondary bacterial infections. Constant head shaking may cause ear hematomas, and continuously swollen infected ears can lead to hearing loss.
If you notice your dog displaying any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Over the counter ear mite remedies are available; however, ear mite symptoms mimic symptoms of other ear problems as well. It is important for a positive diagnosis of ear mites to be made before ear mite treatment is begun.