Ear Mites in Dogs

Ear mites are small eight-legged, spider-like creatures that have the potential to cause harm

to your dog’s ear canals, as well possible loss of hearing. Even in mild cases, they can cause

irritation and discomfort.

While ear mites can live on other parts of a dog’s body, a dog’s ear are the most common

location where they cause problems. Ear mites are the most common cause of ear infections

in dog, under the age of six- months old, but can also cause problems with adult dogs.

Dogs with built-up ear wax and epidermal debris present a breeding ground for ear mites to

feast. The accumulated deposits in the ear cause inflammation, which in turn triggers the

body to produce even more wax.

Symptoms of Ear Mites in Dogs

Ear irritation of any kind is extremely uncomfortable. For a dog, ear mites mean having

hundreds of tiny bugs running around one of the most sensitive areas of his body. One of the

first noticeable symptoms is scratching. A dog will normally scratch its ears when fleas, ticks

or other insects are causing some type of discomfort, and mites can be suspected when

fleas and ticks are not apparent because ear mites are too small to be visible to the human

eye.

Another noticeable symptom is head shaking. Normally when a dog scratches, it also shakes

its head at the same time. This is due to the extreme irritation the ear mites are creating. A

further indication of your dog potentially being bother by ears mites is if your dog rubs its face

along the grass or in the dirt, in an attempt to get some relief from the itching. A foul odor

coming from his ears is also a clear indication that an infection is present.

If your dog scratches excessively, and with much intensity, there is the possibility of bleeding.

Vigorous head shaking can lead to broken or damage blood vessels in the ear, causing

secondary infections to set in, and swollen, inflated ear pads may develop.

Diagnosing Ear Mites

When you look inside the ear of a dog with an infection you will notice black or dark brown

debris which may be lodged deep in your dog’s ears. If you look closely, you can see that the

texture and color resembles coffee grinds.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from an ear infection, consult your vet has soon as

possible. A vet will use an otoscope to examine your dog’s ears and possibly inspect the

debris with a microscope to give a more accurate diagnosis. The health of your pet is

dependent upon your quick response to prevent a more serious problem. Visit http://www.vet-

organics.com/