Ear Mites Cause Severely Itchy Ears
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
Ear mites are small parasites (called Otodectes cyanotis) that
can infest the ear canals of both dogs and cats, causing severe
itching which leads to self-trauma. In most cases, this is due to
an allergic reaction to the mites. Affected ears usually have
brown or black, crusty debris in the ear canals. Sometimes the
skin around the ears is crusty, red and scaly. The mites are
easily passed on from one pet to another through contact, and
though they most commonly affect puppies and kittens, they can
affect any age group. The mites do not infest humans, but can
bite us.
A diagnosis is usually made by examination of the ear
discharge under a microscope. Sometimes during an ear exam with
an otoscope, the parasite can be seen moving around in the ear
canal.
Treatment of an ear mite infestation involves applying
medication either into the ear canals or administration of
medication by injection. All infested animals and in-contact
animals need to be treated. A thorough cleanup of the pet's
environment is also neede. For example, wash pet beds or blankets
in hot, soapy water. It is important to discuss the most
up-to-date treatment options with your veterinarian rather than
relying on over-the-counter remedies. A follow-up examination
will be booked with your veterinary health care team to make sure
that the treatment has completely cleared the parasites.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca/
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