If your dog is exhibiting persistent head shaking or scratching at her ears, the culprit might be ear mites. While these parasites don’t burrow or bite like some other common pests, they are highly contagious and can lead to more serious complications if left untreated. Prompt action is crucial to prevent their spread and to stop your dog from self-inflicting harm due to excessive itching. This article will provide essential information on identifying and effectively eliminating ear mites in dogs.
What Are Canine Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis)?
The term “ear mites” is sometimes used to refer to mange mites, such as sarcoptic or demodectic mange. However, this post focuses on a specific type known as Otodectes cynotis, a prevalent type of ear mite and a form of mange also called Otodectic mange. These microscopic pests are arachnids, belonging to the same family as spiders and ticks, but they do not bite. Typically residing within a dog’s ear canal, ear mites feed on ear wax and oils, causing significant itchiness.
As parasites, ear mites have a short lifespan without a host, making them eager to establish themselves once they find a suitable environment like a dog’s ear canal. While more common in cats, dogs can easily contract them, and these mites are highly contagious to other dogs, cats, and ferrets. Therefore, swift treatment is necessary, especially in multi-pet households. Fortunately, ear mites rarely affect humans, though a temporary skin rash can occur in rare instances. Younger dogs may be more vulnerable, but any dog can become infected.
How Dogs Contract Ear Mites
Dogs can acquire ear mites from the environment, but more frequently, they contract them from an infected animal, such as another dog, cat, or ferret. Outdoor cats are a common source of transmission. Foxes also carry ear mites, though direct transmission to dogs from foxes is uncommon.
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, cats can harbor up to 1,000 mites per ear, whereas dogs generally have far fewer. Once a dog is infected, ear mites multiply rapidly. Female mites lay 15-20 eggs during their short lifespan, with eggs hatching in approximately four days. The offspring mature and lay more eggs, completing the cycle from egg to egg in about 18 to 28 days. Given their ease of spread, if your dog is diagnosed with ear mites, it’s vital to check your other pets, like cats or ferrets, as they may also require treatment. Ear mites are barely visible to the naked eye, and their symptoms can easily be mistaken for other ear conditions.
Recognizing the Signs of Ear Mites in Dogs
Several indicators can suggest your dog may have an ear mite infestation:
- Excessive ear scratching: This is often the most noticeable sign.
- Head shaking: Frequent shaking of the head can indicate discomfort.
- Droopy ears: If your dog naturally has upright ears, a sudden droopiness can be a symptom.
- Dark, reddish-brown discharge: This discharge often resembles coffee grounds.
- Unpleasant ear odor: A foul smell emanating from the ears can be present.
- Skin lesions: Scratching can lead to skin damage around the ear, potentially becoming infected.
- Visible movement: Tiny, pinprick-sized white specks might be seen moving within the ear canal.
If left untreated, ear mites and the resulting scratching can lead to more severe issues, including hearing loss, loss of balance, damage to the ear canal or inner ear, ear hematomas, increased ear sensitivity, and secondary infections. It’s important to address the problem before it escalates. To confirm if ear mites are the cause, and not another type of ear infection, veterinary assistance might be necessary, although home remedies can sometimes be effective.
Diagnosing Ear Mites in Dogs
You may be able to identify ear mites yourself without a veterinary visit. Collect a small amount of debris from your dog’s outer ear canal using a cotton swab or ball. Place the debris on a dark surface and examine it with a magnifying glass. Look for tiny, white, moving specks roughly the size of a pinhead. If you observe these, they are likely ear mites. If not, try collecting a sample from a different spot or the other ear. If you remain unsuccessful in finding any mites, a veterinarian can assist with the diagnosis.
Alternatively, you can try one of the natural remedies described below, which are generally effective for common ear issues and can also address ear mites, potentially allowing you to avoid a vet visit.
If you do consult a veterinarian, diagnosing ear mites is usually straightforward. Your vet can often confirm their presence with an otoscope examination and by examining the discharge under a microscope. If your dog is particularly restless during the examination, some vets may suggest sedation. However, consider natural calming aids like Rescue Remedy or CBD oil for dogs beforehand to potentially avoid unnecessary sedation. If ear mites are ruled out, your vet can help identify other potential ear infections. If ear mites are confirmed and your vet proposes drug or pesticide treatments, you might consider safer, natural alternatives.
Treating Ear Mites in Dogs
While conventional veterinary treatments for ear mites exist, natural remedies offer a safer and equally effective approach. Veterinary treatments often begin with cleaning the ears using a medicated solution, which can disrupt the ear’s natural microbiome and increase susceptibility to future infections. Following this, a veterinarian might prescribe pharmaceutical anti-parasitics or pesticides, such as topical treatments like Revolution or Advantage, or injectables/orals like ivermectin or Bravecto. These are often the same drugs used for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, and are essentially poisons that should be avoided if possible. Antibiotics or anti-fungals may also be prescribed for secondary infections.
Potential Side Effects of Conventional Ear Mite Medications
Conventional ear mite treatments carry significant risks for your dog. Most work by paralyzing parasites using neurotoxins, which can also harm your dog. Reported serious side effects include tremors, seizures, ataxia (loss of coordination), vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, skin irritation, and lethargy. Since ear mites have a three-week lifecycle and these drugs primarily target adult mites, treatment can be prolonged, potentially keeping your dog on medication for an extended period. For these reasons, safer, natural options are highly recommended.
3 Natural Home Remedies for Ear Mites in Dogs
It’s important to remember that if your dog has ear mites, your other pets may also be infected. Check all your pets and treat everyone simultaneously if mites are present. The following gentle and natural remedies can effectively clean your dog’s ears and eliminate ear mites:
1. Olive Oil
Veterinarians Susan G. Wynne and Steve Marsden recommend using olive oil 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. This treatment should be repeated every three days for two weeks. This schedule ensures that newly hatched mites are also eliminated, given their four-day hatching cycle. As a bonus, you can add 1-3 drops of one of the following essential oils per ounce of olive oil to enhance recovery: peppermint (for its anesthetic properties), catnip (to help control mites), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum) (to relieve pain), or calendula (to heal ear skin).
2. Garlic Oil
Herbalists Mary Wulff and Greg Tilford suggest garlic oil for ear mite treatment. Garlic’s sulfur content is a natural repellent for mites and acts as an effective anti-parasitic. Garlic also possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help address any secondary infections resulting from mite infestations. You can purchase garlic oil from health stores or make your own by crushing garlic cloves in olive oil, letting it sit overnight, and then straining the oil. Apply the garlic oil to the affected ear twice daily. Be aware that your dog may have a temporary “Italian restaurant” aroma.
3. Green Tea
Green tea serves as a natural antiseptic capable of eliminating mites. It also aids in clearing the characteristic “coffee ground” debris associated with ear mite infestations. Prepare green tea by steeping a tea bag or a tablespoon of loose tea 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 green tea into each ear. Gently massage your dog’s ears, which she will likely enjoy. Then, use a cotton ball dipped in the green tea to wipe the inside of her ears. Performing this treatment once daily for four weeks can effectively combat ear mites.
Preventing Ear Mites in Dogs
Preventing parasite infestations involves maintaining your dog’s overall health, particularly a robust immune system, which makes her a less appealing host for mites. Key preventative measures include:
- Diet: Feed your dog a high-quality, whole-food, or raw diet.
- Vaccinations: Avoid over-vaccination; administer only essential shots.
- Medications: Minimize the use of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical drugs and pesticides, opting for natural alternatives when possible.
- Environment: Reduce exposure to chemicals in your dog’s environment, including using natural cleaning supplies indoors and avoiding lawn chemicals and fertilizers outdoors.
- Grooming: Bathe your dog with all-natural, organic shampoos.
Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears Regularly?
While some advocate for daily ear cleaning to prevent ear problems, over-cleaning can disrupt the natural balance of healthy 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 shows signs of discomfort. Regularly monitoring your dog’s ears for any early signs of infestation allows for prompt treatment using the aforementioned remedies. These natural treatments can also be beneficial for other types of ear infections. Additionally, try to keep your pets away from stray or feral cats that may carry ear mites. By knowing safe and effective ways to treat ear mites, you can ensure your dog’s comfort and health.
FAQ
How do you get rid of ear mites in dogs?
To eliminate ear mite infestations in dogs, clean the affected ears with a gentle cleanser to remove debris. Then, apply a natural anti-parasitic topical specifically for ear mites. In severe cases, a vet may prescribe medications like ivermectin or selamectin.
How can you tell if a dog has ear mites?
There are a few symptoms of ear mites to watch for. Excessive scratching of the ears, head shaking, a strong odor, and a dark, coffee ground-like discharge in the ear canal are major signs. You may also notice other ear irritation symptoms, like your dog’s ears appearing red and inflamed.
What kills ear mites naturally?
You can use natural treatment options to help kill ear mites, including the application of green tea or olive oil in the ears, which can soothe irritation and smother the mites. These can help to loosen the debris in the ear canal and suffocate the mites.
Can humans get ear mites from dogs?
Many people wonder “can humans catch ear mites in dogs?” It’s extremely rare and unlikely, but yes, humans can technically contract ear mites from dogs. However, human infection is transient and typically resolves on its own, as these mites prefer the ear environment of pets over humans.
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.
