Dog ​​Ear Mites: Tips, Treatment, Prevention

First things first: ever wondered what’s stuck in your doggo’s ears? Is it dog ear mites or is it simple ear wax? It is important to differentiate between the two so here are the descriptions of each.

Dog ear mites are tiny, nearly microscopic creatures that live in the ear canal of dogs and other animals. They are oval-shaped and have eight legs. They feed on the wax and oils in the ear canal and can cause irritation, itching, and redness. Ear mites can also cause a crusty discharge to form in the ear. The life cycle of a dog’s ear mite is up to 30 days.

Dog ear wax is produced by the glands in the ear and helps to keep the ear clean and protected. It can become hard and crusty if it is not cleaned out regularly.

Causes of dog ear mites
There are many reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant itching in your dog’s ears.

These include various types of infections, fungal diseases, allergic reactions to a particular food or medicine. And, of course, the most common problem is the invasion of the animal’s body by parasites. Surprise – the most common parasites in dogs are ear mites.

If you notice that your dog is scratching its ears too often, this is a kind of alarm bell.

It should be noted that these parasites have developed certain mechanisms that help them survive in the host’s body. The survival of parasites in the host’s body directly depends on the temperature and humidity of the place where they live. Ear mites in dogs can live for more than 30 days, but if the temperature in the host’s body is low, they cannot survive more than a month.

However, these parasites do not cause any serious harm to the host’s body. This can be explained by the fact that the host’s immune system is able to cope with these parasites quite easily.

How to identify ear mites on your dog?
The most common parasitic infection in humans is the scabies mite. This species of parasite has developed a number of specific features that allow it to infect animals.

The most common sign of an ear mite infestation in cats and dogs is itching. If the animal is infected with ear mites, it will regularly scratch its ears until it bleeds.

You can often see a black crust in the ears of animals. In addition, the animal will shake its head from time to time. The infected area may be bleeding.

The cause of your pet’s problems is the presence of a large number of ear mites. This can be seen if the affected area is examined with a magnifying glass. Ear mites are small white insects that are almost invisible to the naked eye.

It should be noted that this is not always possible to immediately detect an ear mite infestation in animals. This is often the case when the infestation is moderate or mild. If the infestation is severe, then the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced.

The main reason for the spread of ear mites is the close contact of animals. For example, if a cat comes into contact with an infected animal, it will immediately become infected. In addition to the physical contact between animals, the spread of ear mites can also occur through household items such as bedding, clothes, etc. It is worth noting that these insects have the ability to jump.

Therefore, it should be borne in mind that an infestation of animals can also occur through the clothes of their owners. The most common symptom of an ear mite infestation is itching.

It is worth noting that these insects have a very strong need to eat. For this reason, an infected animal will continuously scratch its ears, which will inevitably lead to the appearance of wounds in the affected area.

In most cases, the infection is so severe that the animal will shake its head violently and rub its head on the ground in order to relieve the itching. This can lead to a number of serious health problems, such as hearing loss or balance problems.

Another common symptom of an ear mite infestation is a strong unpleasant odor. This is due to the fact that ear mites often lay their eggs in the ears of animals, which eventually hatch and mature into new insects. The main danger of ear mite infestation is that it can lead to a number of serious health problems. If the infection is severe, the animal may develop an inflammation of the middle ear, which can lead to deafness.

In addition, an ear mite infestation can also lead to a number of other serious health problems, such as a bacterial or fungal infection. If you notice that your animal is scratching its ears too often or that it has a strong unpleasant odor, you should immediately consult a veterinarian. The veterinarian will examine the animal and, if necessary, prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Before taking your doggo for a stressful roadtrip to the vet, it is worth considering an online vet chat service, which is available to you 24/7 wherever you are and whichever questions you might have regarding your pet’s health. Talk to a team of licensed vets and get your answers ASAP.

Treatment & Prevention
Ear mites are very difficult to get rid of. This is due to the fact that these insects have the ability to reproduce very quickly. In addition, the eggs of ear mites are very resistant to the effects of various chemicals.

The most effective way to get rid of ear mites is to use a special ear mite spray. These sprays contain a number of active ingredients that can kill ear mites. It is worth noting that ear mite sprays are not always effective. This is due to the fact that these insects have the ability to develop resistance to the effects of these sprays. If the ear mite spray does not help, you should consult a veterinarian. The veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate medication.

In addition, you should wash all bedding and clothes in hot water. You should also vacuum all carpets and upholstered furniture. It is worth noting that ear mites are very difficult to get rid of. This is due to the fact that these insects have the ability to reproduce very quickly. The eggs of ear mites are very resistant to the effects of various chemicals.

It is worth noting that ear mites are very contagious. This is due to the fact that these insects have the ability to jump. Therefore, it is very important to isolate the infected animal from other animals. In addition, you should wash all bedding and clothes in hot water. You should also vacuum all carpets and upholstered furniture.

Conclusion
Ear mites are a common condition in both dogs and cats. From what you have seen in this article, there are several ways to determine if they are present and then how to treat them. Treating ear mites is not always easy, but with a little persistence, you will be able to get rid of them for good.

Remember to always speak to your veterinarian about any changes you notice in your pet’s ears, or if you are unsure about anything. If you are worried that this might be a critical situation and your dog required immediate attention, consider subscribing to emergency vet funds. This service allows you to keep the peace of mind when it comes to pet’s health and medical emergencies. With this subscription you can get up to $3,000 of pet insurance in critical urgent situations.

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