If your dog is frequently shaking her head or excessively scratching her ears, ear mites might be the culprit. While ear mites in dogs differ from other parasites as they don’t typically bite or burrow, they are highly contagious and can lead to more significant issues if left untreated. Therefore, prompt action is crucial to prevent their spread and to stop your dog from self-inflicting injuries due to irritation. This article will provide essential information on identifying these pests and effectively getting rid of them.
What Exactly Are Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis)?
While the term “ear mites” is sometimes used loosely to refer to mange (such as sarcoptic or demodectic mange), this post focuses on a specific type: Otodectes cynotis. This is a common variety of ear mite and is also known as Otodectic mange. These tiny pests are arachnids, belonging to the same family as spiders and ticks, but they do not bite. Ear mites typically reside within a dog’s ear canal, feeding on earwax and oils, which causes significant itching.
As parasites, ear mites rely on a host for survival. They are particularly drawn to the ear canal, finding it a favorable environment for feeding and living. While more prevalent in cats, dogs can easily contract them from infected animals. Ear mites are also highly contagious to other dogs, cats, and ferrets, emphasizing the need for quick treatment to prevent wider household infestations. Although rare, humans can sometimes develop a skin rash from contact with ear mites, but they do not typically infest humans. Younger dogs may be more susceptible, but any dog can be affected.
How Dogs Contract Ear Mites
Dogs can acquire ear mites from outdoor environments, but the most common transmission route is from direct contact with an infected animal, such as another dog, cat, or ferret. Outdoor cats are frequently carriers of these mites. While foxes also host 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 generally have significantly fewer. Once a dog becomes infected, ear mites can multiply rapidly. Female mites can lay between 15 to 20 eggs in their short lifespan, with eggs hatching in about four days. These offspring then reproduce, leading to a continuous cycle. The entire lifecycle from egg to egg can take approximately 18 to 28 days. Given their ease of spread, it’s vital to check other pets in the household, such as cats or ferrets, if your dog is diagnosed with ear mites, as they may also require treatment.
Ear mites are notoriously difficult to see with the naked eye, and their symptoms often mimic those of other ear conditions.
Identifying Potential Ear Mite Infestations in Your Dog
Several signs may indicate that your dog is suffering from ear mites:
- Persistent ear scratching: Your dog may constantly paw at or rub its ears.
- Head shaking: Frequent and vigorous head shaking is a common symptom.
- Drooping ears: If your dog typically has erect ears, they may appear to droop due to inflammation or discomfort.
- Dark, granular discharge: The ear discharge often resembles coffee grounds and can be reddish-brown.
- Unpleasant ear odor: A foul smell emanating from the ears can signal an infestation.
- Skin lesions: Scratching can lead to sores and potential infections around the ear area.
- 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, combined with your dog’s scratching, can lead to more severe complications, including:
- Hearing loss
- Loss of balance
- Damage to the external or inner ear structures
- Ear hematomas (a collection of blood within the ear flap)
- Increased ear sensitivity
- Secondary bacterial or fungal infections
It is essential to address the problem promptly to prevent these escalating issues. While these symptoms are indicative of ear mites, confirming the diagnosis can sometimes require veterinary assistance, especially to rule out other ear infections.
Diagnosing Ear Mites in Dogs
You may be able to diagnose 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 this debris on a dark surface and examine it under a magnifying glass. Look for tiny, white specks that are actively moving. If you observe these, it is highly likely that your dog has ear mites. If the initial sample doesn’t reveal any mites, try collecting from a different spot or the other ear. If you still cannot find any evidence of mites, consult your veterinarian.
Alternatively, you can try one of the natural home remedies suggested below, which are effective for general ear issues and ear mites alike, potentially allowing you to skip a vet visit.
Should you opt for a veterinary examination, your vet can typically confirm ear mites through a visual inspection using an otoscope. They might also examine the ear discharge under a microscope.
Important Note: If your dog is particularly sensitive or wiggly during an examination, some veterinarians may recommend sedation. To potentially avoid this, consider administering a calming supplement like Rescue Remedy or CBD oil before your appointment.
If your vet rules out ear mites, they can help diagnose and treat other potential ear infections. Information on various dog ear problems can also be helpful in identifying the cause of your dog’s discomfort.
If your veterinarian confirms an ear mite diagnosis, and they propose conventional pharmaceutical treatments, you may wish to consider natural alternatives, which are generally safer and equally effective.
Natural Treatments for Ear Mites in Dogs
While your veterinarian might suggest medicated ear cleaners and prescription antiparasitics or pesticides, such as topical treatments like Revolution or Advantage, or injectables/orals like ivermectin or Bravecto, it’s worth exploring safer, natural options first. These conventional treatments carry potential risks and side effects. Medicated cleaners can disrupt the natural balance of your dog’s ear microbiome, potentially increasing the risk of future infections. Pharmaceutical treatments, often neurotoxins, can cause serious adverse reactions including tremors, seizures, incoordination, gastrointestinal issues, appetite loss, skin irritation, and lethargy. These drugs target adult mites but may not eliminate newly hatched ones, often requiring prolonged treatment.
For a safer and often equally effective approach, consider these natural remedies:
#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 clean the ear canal and remove debris. The oil helps to suffocate the mites. Apply olive oil to clean the ear and remove as much debris as possible. Repeat this process every three days for two weeks. This consistent application ensures that newly hatched mites are also targeted.
Optional Addition: To potentially enhance recovery, you can add 1-3 drops of one of the following essential oils per ounce of olive oil:
- Peppermint: Offers a mild anesthetic effect.
- Catnip: Known to help control mites.
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum): Can help alleviate pain.
- Calendula: Aids in healing the ear skin.
#2 Garlic Oil
Herbalists Mary Wulff and Greg Tilford suggest garlic oil in their book Herbs For Pets as an effective ear mite treatment. Garlic’s sulfur content is a natural antiparasitic that mites dislike. Furthermore, garlic possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, beneficial for treating secondary infections associated with ear mite infestations. You can purchase garlic oil from health food stores or make your own by steeping crushed garlic cloves in olive oil 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 temporarily have a strong garlic scent.
#3 Green Tea
Green tea acts as a natural antiseptic, effective in eliminating mites and cleansing the “coffee ground” debris characteristic of ear mite infestations. Prepare a strong brew using a tea bag or a tablespoon of loose green tea in a cup of hot water. Steep for a few minutes, strain, and allow it to cool to room temperature. Using a dropper, instill 3-4 drops of the cooled tea into each ear, followed by a gentle massage. Then, use a cotton ball soaked in green tea to wipe the inside of the ears. Perform this treatment once daily for four weeks to eradicate the ear mites.
It’s important to remember that if you have multiple pets, you must check and treat all of them if they show signs of ear mites to prevent reinfection.
Preventing Ear Mite Infestations in Dogs
The most effective strategy against any parasite is maintaining your dog’s optimal health, ensuring a robust immune system that makes them a less attractive host. Several preventive measures can help ward off ear mite infestations:
- Diet: Feed your dog a high-quality, whole-food, preferably raw diet that you can afford.
- Vaccination: Avoid over-vaccinating; administer only necessary vaccines as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Medication: Minimize the use of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical drugs and pesticides, opting for natural alternatives whenever possible.
- Environmental Chemicals: Reduce your dog’s exposure to chemicals in their environment, including using natural cleaning products in your home and avoiding lawn chemicals and fertilizers in your yard.
- Grooming: Use only all-natural, organic shampoos for bathing your dog, such as all natural organic shampoo.
Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears Regularly?
While some advocate for daily ear cleaning to prevent ear mites and other issues, excessive cleaning can disrupt the beneficial bacteria in your dog’s ear canal. In most cases, minor ear discharge will resolve on its own. It’s generally best to leave your dog’s ears undisturbed unless they exhibit signs of discomfort or infection. Regularly monitoring your dog’s ears for any early signs of irritation or discharge is advisable. If you notice anything unusual, promptly using one of the natural remedies mentioned above can be beneficial, as these remedies can also help with other types of ear infections. Lastly, try to limit your dog’s exposure to potentially infected stray or feral animals.
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.
