If your dog is exhibiting persistent head shaking or excessive ear scratching, the culprit might be ear mites. While these parasites don’t burrow or bite like some other, they are highly contagious and can lead to more severe complications if left untreated. Prompt action is crucial to prevent the spread of ear mites and to stop your dog from self-inflicting injuries due to irritation. This guide will provide comprehensive information on identifying and effectively eliminating ear mites in dogs.
What Exactly Are Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis)?
While the term “ear mites” is sometimes used colloquially to refer to mange mites such as sarcoptic or demodectic mites, this article focuses on the specific mite known as Otodectes cynotis. This is one of the most prevalent types of ear mites and is also classified as Otodectic mange. Belonging to the arachnid family, which includes spiders and ticks, Otodectes cynotis differs from its relatives as it does not bite. These mites typically reside within a dog’s ear canal, feeding on ear wax and oils, which triggers intense itching.
Ear mites are parasites that have a short lifespan without a host. Upon finding a suitable host like your dog, they quickly establish themselves. The ear canal provides a warm and food-rich environment for them to thrive. Although more common in cats, dogs are also susceptible to ear mite infestations. These mites are highly contagious to other dogs, cats, and ferrets, necessitating swift treatment to prevent widespread infection among household pets. While human transmission is rare, a mild skin rash can occur in some cases. Younger dogs may be more vulnerable, but ear mites can affect dogs of any age.
How Dogs Contract Ear Mites
Dogs can acquire ear mites from various sources, including outdoor environments. However, the most frequent mode of transmission is through direct contact with an infected animal, such as another dog, cat, or ferret. Stray or outdoor cats are a significant common source of these infections. While foxes also harbor ear mites, direct transmission to dogs from foxes is uncommon.
The Companion Animal Parasite Council notes that cats can host up to a thousand mites in each ear, whereas dogs generally harbor far fewer. Once a dog is infected, ear mites can multiply rapidly. A female mite can lay approximately 15 to 20 eggs during its short lifespan. These eggs hatch within four days, and the subsequent generation begins laying more eggs, creating a lifecycle that lasts about 18 to 28 days from egg to egg. Given their high contagiousness, if your dog is diagnosed with ear mites, it’s essential to check all other pets in the household, including cats and ferrets, as they may also require treatment. Ear mites are barely visible to the naked eye, and their symptoms can often be mistaken for other ear conditions.
Recognizing the Signs of Ear Mites in Your Dog
Several indicators may suggest your dog is suffering from an ear mite infestation:
- Excessive ear scratching: This is often the most noticeable sign.
- Head shaking: Frequent or vigorous head shaking.
- Droopy ears: If your dog typically has upright ears, they might appear to droop due to inflammation or discomfort.
- Dark, crumbly discharge: The discharge often resembles coffee grounds and can be reddish-brown.
- Unpleasant ear odor: A foul smell emanating from the ears can indicate infection or irritation.
- Skin lesions around the ears: These can result from persistent scratching and may become infected.
- Visible movement: In some cases, tiny, white specks, about the size of a pinhead, might be seen moving within the ear.
If left untreated, ear mites and the resulting scratching can lead to more serious health issues, including:
- Hearing loss: Chronic irritation and infection can damage hearing.
- Loss of balance: Inner ear inflammation can affect a dog’s equilibrium.
- Damage to the ear canal: Both external and internal ear structures can be harmed.
- Ear hematoma: This is a collection of blood within the ear flap, often caused by vigorous scratching or shaking.
- Increased ear sensitivity: The ear may become extremely sensitive to touch.
- Secondary infections: Bacterial or fungal infections can develop in damaged ear tissue.
It is therefore vital to address the ear mite problem before it escalates. To confirm if ear mites are the cause, and not another type of ear infection, veterinary consultation may be necessary. However, there are methods to identify and treat them at home, potentially avoiding a vet visit.
Diagnosing Ear Mites in Dogs
You can often diagnose ear mites in dogs yourself without a trip to the veterinarian. Follow these steps:
- Collect debris: Using a cotton swab or ball, gather some discharge from your dog’s outer ear canal.
- Examine on a dark surface: Place the collected debris on a dark background.
- Use magnification: Inspect the debris with a magnifying glass.
- Look for movement: Search for small, white specks, approximately the size of a pinhead, that are actively moving.
If you observe these signs, it’s highly probable that your dog has ear mites. If the initial sample doesn’t yield results, repeat the process, collecting debris from a different area of the ear or the other ear. If you still cannot find any evidence of mites, your veterinarian can assist with the diagnosis.
Alternatively, you can try one of the natural home remedies detailed below, which are effective general ear treatments that can also address ear mites, potentially allowing you to bypass a veterinary visit.
Should you opt for a veterinary visit, diagnosis should be straightforward. Your vet will likely use an otoscope for a visual examination and may examine the ear discharge under a microscope to confirm the presence of Otodectes cynotis.
Important Note: If your dog is particularly anxious or wiggly during an examination, some vets might suggest sedation. Consider administering calming aids like Rescue Remedy or CBD oil prior to the appointment to help your dog remain calm and potentially avoid unnecessary medication. If ear mites are ruled out, your vet can help identify other potential ear infections. You can find more information on various ear problems here.
If your vet confirms an ear mite diagnosis and recommends conventional pharmaceutical treatments involving pesticides or drugs, it’s advisable to explore safer, natural alternatives.
Treating Ear Mites in Dogs Naturally
Conventional veterinary treatments for ear mites often involve prescription medications, which carry potential risks. Your vet might suggest:
- Medicated ear cleaners: These can disrupt the natural microbial balance in your dog’s ears, potentially increasing the risk of future infections.
- Pharmaceutical anti-parasitics or pesticides: These can include topical treatments like Revolution or Advantage, or injectables/orals such as ivermectin or Bravecto. Many of these are also used for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention and are essentially neurotoxins.
- Antibiotics or anti-fungals: These may be prescribed to treat secondary infections.
Potential Side Effects of Conventional Ear Mite Medications
These treatments, while effective against parasites, can pose risks to your dog’s health. Their mechanism often involves paralyzing the parasite, and as neurotoxins, they can also negatively impact your dog’s nervous system. Reported side effects include tremors, seizures, incoordination (ataxia), vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, skin irritation, and lethargy.
Since ear mites have a three-week lifecycle and these medications typically only kill adult mites, treatment can be prolonged, potentially weeks or months, requiring consistent application of the drugs. Therefore, exploring gentler, natural options is highly recommended.
3 Natural Home Remedies for Ear Mites in Dogs
It’s crucial to remember that if one pet has ear mites, all other pets in the household (dogs, cats, ferrets) should be checked and treated concurrently to prevent reinfection. These natural remedies are safer and gentler alternatives to conventional treatments, effectively addressing ear mites while also cleaning the ears.
#1 Olive Oil
Veterinarians Susan G. Wynne, DVM, and Steve Marsden, DVM, recommend using olive oil in their Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine.
- Method: Clean the affected ear with olive oil, removing as much debris as possible. The oil helps to suffocate the mites.
- Frequency: Repeat this treatment every three days for two weeks. This schedule is designed to kill mites at all stages of their lifecycle, as they hatch approximately every four days.
- Optional Enhancement: To accelerate healing, you can add 1-3 drops of one of the following essential oils per ounce of olive oil:
- Peppermint: Provides a mild anesthetic effect.
- Catnip: Aids in mite control.
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum): Known for its pain-relieving properties.
- Calendula: Promotes healing of the ear skin.
#2 Garlic Oil
Herbalists Mary Wulff and Greg Tilford, authors of Herbs For Pets, suggest garlic oil as an effective ear mite treatment. Garlic’s sulfur content acts as a natural anti-parasitic, which mites find repellent. Furthermore, garlic possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, beneficial for treating secondary infections that may arise from ear mite infestations.
- Preparation: You can purchase garlic oil from health stores or make your own by crushing a few garlic cloves and steeping them in a cup of olive oil overnight. Strain the oil and store it in a glass jar.
- Application: Apply the garlic oil to your dog’s ears twice daily. Be aware that your dog might carry a faint garlic scent.
#3 Green Tea
Green tea serves as a natural antiseptic that can effectively eliminate mites. It also helps in cleaning out the characteristic “coffee ground” debris associated with ear mite infestations.
- Preparation: Steep one tea bag or a tablespoon of loose green tea in a cup of hot water for a few minutes. Strain the tea and allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
- Application: Using a dropper, administer 3-4 drops of the cooled green tea into each of your dog’s ears. Gently massage the ears, which your dog will likely enjoy. Then, use a cotton ball dipped in the green tea to wipe the inside of her ears.
- Duration: Continue this treatment once daily for four weeks to ensure complete eradication of ear mites.
Preventing Ear Mite Infestations in Dogs
The most effective strategy against parasites is to maintain your dog’s overall health, ensuring a robust immune system that makes her a less appealing host for mites. Implementing the following preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of ear mite infestations:
- Diet: Feed your dog a high-quality, whole-food diet, preferably raw if feasible.
- Vaccinations: Avoid over-vaccinating. Administer only essential vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Medication Avoidance: Minimize the use of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical drugs and pesticides. Opt for natural alternatives whenever possible.
- Environmental Chemicals: Reduce exposure to chemicals in your dog’s environment, including using natural cleaning supplies in your home and avoiding chemical lawn treatments and fertilizers in your yard.
- Grooming Products: Use all-natural shampoos, such as the 4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo, for bathing.
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 beneficial bacteria in your dog’s ears. Ear wax and minor debris typically clear on their own over time. It’s generally best to leave your dog’s ears undisturbed unless she shows signs of discomfort. Regular visual checks of your dog’s ears are advisable to catch any early signs of infestation. If you notice any potential issues, employ one of the natural remedies mentioned above promptly. These remedies can also be beneficial for other types of ear infections. Lastly, try to limit your dog’s contact with stray or feral cats, as they are common carriers of ear mites. By being vigilant and utilizing these safe, natural methods, you can effectively manage and eliminate ear mites in your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
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. Subsequently, apply a natural anti-parasitic topical treatment specifically formulated for ear mites. For severe cases, a veterinarian might prescribe medications such as ivermectin or selamectin.
How can you tell if a dog has ear mites?
Key symptoms of ear mites in dogs include excessive ear scratching, frequent head shaking, a strong odor emanating from the ears, and a dark, coffee ground-like discharge within the ear canal. Redness and inflammation of the ear are also common signs of irritation.
What kills ear mites naturally?
Natural remedies for killing ear mites include applying green tea or olive oil to the ears. These substances can help soothe irritation and smother the mites, while also loosening debris in the ear canal.
Can humans get ear mites from dogs?
While extremely rare, it is technically possible for humans to contract ear mites from dogs. However, such human infections are typically transient and resolve on their own, as ear mites naturally 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.
