If your dog is frequently shaking her head or persistently scratching her ears, it’s possible that ear mites are the culprit. While these tiny parasites don’t burrow or bite like some other pests, they are highly contagious and can lead to more severe complications if left untreated. Swift action is crucial to prevent their spread and protect your dog from self-inflicted injury. This guide will provide comprehensive information on identifying and effectively treating ear mites in dogs.
What Are Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis)?
The term “ear mites” is sometimes used to refer to mange mites, such as sarcoptic or demodectic mange. However, this article focuses on a specific type: Otodectes cynotis, one of the most prevalent ear mite species. These mites are a type of mange, also known as Otodectic mange.
Otodectes cynotis are arachnids, belonging to the same family as spiders and scorpions. Unlike some of their relatives, they do not bite. These mites typically reside in a dog’s ear canal, feeding on earwax and oils, which triggers itching and discomfort. As parasites, ear mites are dependent on a host for survival and quickly establish themselves in a suitable environment like a dog’s ear canal. While more common in cats, dogs can easily contract them, and the mites are contagious to other dogs, cats, and ferrets. Prompt treatment is therefore essential if you have multiple pets. Fortunately, ear mites rarely affect humans, though some individuals may experience a temporary skin rash. Younger dogs might be more susceptible, but any dog can be affected.
How Dogs Contract Ear Mites
Dogs can acquire ear mites from various sources, including the environment. However, the most common transmission route is through contact with an infected animal, such as another dog, cat, or ferret. Outdoor cats are a frequent source of infection. While foxes also carry ear mites, direct transmission to dogs from foxes is uncommon.
The Companion Animal Parasite Council notes that cats can harbor up to 1,000 mites in each ear, whereas dogs typically have significantly fewer [cite:CAPC]. Once a dog is infected, ear mites can multiply rapidly. Female mites can lay 15-20 eggs during their short lifespan, and these eggs hatch within four days. The offspring mature and lay more eggs, with the entire life cycle completing in approximately 18 to 28 days. Given their contagious nature, if your dog is diagnosed with ear mites, it is imperative to check your other pets, including cats and ferrets, as they may also require treatment.
Ear mites are microscopic and difficult to see with the naked eye. Furthermore, their symptoms can often be mistaken for other common ear conditions.
Recognizing the Signs of Ear Mites in Dogs
Several key indicators can suggest your dog may have an ear mite infestation:
- Excessive ear scratching: This is often the most prominent sign.
- Head shaking: Frequent and vigorous head shaking.
- Droopy ears: If your dog normally has erect ears, they may appear to droop due to discomfort or inflammation.
- Dark, granular discharge: The ear discharge often resembles coffee grounds and is reddish-brown in color.
- Unpleasant ear odor: A foul smell emanating from the ears.
- Skin lesions around the ears: These are typically caused by persistent scratching and can become secondarily infected.
- Visible movement: In some cases, tiny, white specks, about the size of a pinhead, may be observed moving within the ear canal.
If left untreated, ear mites and the resulting scratching can lead to more serious health issues, including hearing loss, loss of balance, damage to the ear canal or inner ear, ear hematomas, increased ear sensitivity, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections. It is therefore crucial to address the infestation promptly to prevent these complications.
Diagnosing Ear Mites in Dogs
You can often diagnose ear mites yourself without a veterinary visit. Collect a small sample of debris from your dog’s outer ear canal using a cotton swab or ball. Place the sample on a dark surface and examine it with a magnifying glass. Look for small, white, moving specks. If you observe these, it’s highly likely your dog has ear mites. If the initial sample is inconclusive, try collecting debris from a different spot or the other ear. If you still cannot find any mites, consult your veterinarian.
Alternatively, you can skip the vet visit and try one of the natural remedies described below, which are effective for ear mites and general ear health.
A veterinarian can typically diagnose ear mites easily using an otoscope during a visual examination. They may also examine the ear discharge under a microscope for confirmation. If your dog is particularly restless during the examination, some vets might suggest sedation. To avoid unnecessary medication, consider giving your dog a calming supplement like Rescue Remedy or CBD oil before the appointment. If ear mites are ruled out, your vet can investigate other potential ear infections.
If your veterinarian confirms an ear mite diagnosis, be cautious if they recommend conventional pesticide treatments. Natural alternatives offer a safer approach for your dog.
Treating Ear Mites in Dogs
Veterinary treatments for ear mites often involve medicated ear cleaners and prescription parasiticides or pesticides, such as topical applications (e.g., Revolution, Advantage) or injectables/orals (e.g., ivermectin, Bravecto). Some of these are the same drugs used for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
Risks of Conventional Ear Mite Medications:
These treatments, while effective, carry potential risks and side effects due to their neurotoxic nature. Common adverse reactions include tremors, seizures, incoordination (ataxia), vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, skin irritation, and lethargy. Since these drugs typically only kill adult mites, treatment may be prolonged to address the mite lifecycle, potentially exposing your dog to these risks for several weeks.
For these reasons, natural and safer alternatives are highly recommended.
3 Home Remedies for Ear Mites in Dogs
Important Note: If you have multiple pets, check all of them for ear mites. If found, treat all affected animals simultaneously using the same remedies.
These gentle, natural options can effectively clean your dog’s ears and eliminate ear mites:
1. Olive Oil
As recommended in the Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine by Drs. Susan G. Wynne and Steve Marsden, olive oil can be used to treat ear mites. Clean the ear canal with olive oil to remove as much debris as possible. The oil helps to suffocate the mites. Repeat this process every three days for two weeks to effectively eradicate the mites, accounting for their hatching cycle.
Optional Enhancement: For accelerated healing, you can add 1-3 drops of one of the following essential oils per ounce of olive oil:
- Peppermint: Provides a soothing, anesthetic effect.
- Catnip: Aids in mite control.
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum): Helps alleviate pain.
- Calendula: Promotes healing of the ear skin.
2. Garlic Oil
Herbalists Mary Wulff and Greg Tilford, authors of Herbs For Pets, suggest garlic oil for ear mite treatment. Garlic’s sulfur content makes it a potent natural anti-parasitic, and mites are repelled by it. Garlic also possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help manage any secondary infections resulting from ear mite infestations. You can purchase garlic oil at health food stores or make your own by crushing a few garlic cloves in a cup of olive oil, letting it steep overnight, then straining and storing the oil in a glass jar. Apply the oil to the affected ear twice daily. Be aware that your dog might carry a faint garlic scent.
3. Green Tea
Green tea acts as a natural antiseptic, effective against mites, and helps to clear the characteristic “coffee ground” debris associated with ear mite infestations. Prepare a strong brew using a tea bag or a tablespoon of loose green tea steeped in hot water for a few minutes. Strain the tea and allow it to cool to room temperature. Using a dropper, administer 3-4 drops of the cooled tea into each ear, followed by a gentle massage. Then, use a cotton ball dipped in the green tea to wipe the inside of the ears. Continue this treatment daily for four weeks to eliminate ear mites.
How to Prevent Dog Ear Mites
The most effective strategy for preventing parasite infestations is to ensure your dog maintains a robust immune system, making her a less attractive host. Consider these preventative measures:
- Diet: Feed your dog a high-quality, whole-food, preferably raw diet.
- Vaccinations: Avoid over-vaccinating; administer only necessary vaccines.
- Medications: Minimize the use of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical drugs and pesticides, opting for natural alternatives when possible.
- Environmental Chemicals: Reduce exposure to chemicals in your dog’s environment, including household cleaning products and yard treatments like lawn chemicals and fertilizers.
- Grooming: Use natural grooming products, such as an all-natural organic shampoo.
Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears Regularly?
While some advocate for daily ear cleaning to prevent ear problems, excessive cleaning can disrupt the natural balance of beneficial bacteria in your dog’s ears. Minor ear debris often resolves on its own. It’s generally best to leave your dog’s ears undisturbed unless she exhibits signs of discomfort. Regularly monitor your dog’s ears for any early signs of infestation. If you notice any, use one of the aforementioned natural remedies promptly. These remedies can also be beneficial for other types of ear infections. Finally, try to keep your pets away from stray or feral cats that may carry ear mites.
By understanding the signs and employing safe, natural treatments, you can effectively manage ear mite infestations and keep your canine companion healthy and comfortable.
FAQ
How do you get rid of ear mites in dogs?
To eliminate ear mite infestations in dogs, gently clean the affected ears to remove debris. Then, apply a natural anti-parasitic topical treatment formulated for ear mites. In severe instances, a veterinarian might prescribe medications like ivermectin or selamectin.
How can you tell if a dog has ear mites?
Key symptoms include excessive ear scratching, head shaking, a strong odor, and a dark, coffee ground-like discharge in the ear canal. Redness and inflammation of the ears are also common signs of irritation.
What kills ear mites naturally?
Natural remedies such as applying green tea or olive oil to the ears can help soothe irritation and suffocate mites. These methods aid in loosening ear canal debris and eliminating the parasites.
Can humans get ear mites from dogs?
While extremely rare, humans can contract ear mites from dogs. However, human infections are typically transient and resolve on their own, as these mites are not well-suited to living on human skin compared to their preferred hosts.
References
- J Lohse et al. Validity of species status of the parasitic mite Otodectes cynotis. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. Vol. 15 Issue 2, June 2002.
