How you can treat Ear Mites in your dog at home?

 

If you’ve noticed some strange behaviour in your dog, such as ear scratching or rigorous head shaking, there’s a chance they’ve contracted a very common parasite called ear mites.

With this, it’s vital you read-up and take your dog to the vets as soon as possible. This is because they can advise you on the best possible ear mites treatment strategies going forward. 

In the meantime, here’s some common questions people ask about ear mites that we feel will be very helpful in your journey to an effective ear mites treatment plan:

• What Are Ear Mites?

Ear mites, scientifically known as Otodectes Cynotis mites, are very small insects invisible to the naked eye. They like to live on hosts (mainly dogs and cats) in order to feed and stay warm making them an irritable parasite for our loving furry friends. This way of living externally on the host makes them one of the most commonly faced ectoparasites.

The biggest issue arises when they burrow into the ear canal and causes serious damage over time. Untreated cases can lead to ear disease, multiple inner ear infections, loss of balance, loss of hearing and a head tilt.

• What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Mite Infection in Dogs?

The severity of the symptoms and the clinical signs of an ear mite infestation in dogs will vary depending on how long they’ve had the infestation, the breed and the age of your dog. 

However, there are some symptoms commonly associated with ear mites you can look out for:

1. Ear Scratching
2. Tilting the Head
3. Excessive Head Shaking
4. Dark Waxy or Crusty Discharge in Ear
5. Hair Loss Due to Scratching
6. Rash in or Around the Ear
7. Aural Haematoma (blood blisters around the ear)
8. Skin Lesions
9. Foul Odour Emitting from the Ear
10. Swelling
11. Face Rubbing

• Where Did my Dogs Catch Ear Mites From?

Some ear mites can survive in the environment for months and others for days due to their reproductive cycle. They also like to make a host out of anything warm and furry nearby, meaning cats, dogs and other fluffy friends alike can be the root cause of an outbreak. 

The chances are, your dog could begin to need their ear mite treatment plans simply from rolling in the garden, visiting the park, seeing other animals or just from being at home. 

• What are the Effective Ear Mites Treatment Options?

In 2021, there are a lot of different treatments available for your pup, so as long as you catch it at the right time, there’s no need to worry about serious effects. 

However, there are some key things you should do and look out for when treating your dog for ear mites:

• Take Your Dog to the Vet

The first thing you should do when your pup begins to act strangely is make a note of the symptoms and take them to the vet. 

The reason being that dogs can experience an array of illnesses and pain while showing similar symptoms. So, even if you believe it’s ear mites, there might be something else lurking about that your vet can identify and take care of.

Your vet can properly assess the extent of the parasite infection and will let you know the best treatment plan. They’ll also give you more helpful tips about prevention, care and treating the home.

• Find Over-the-Counter Remedies

Most over-the-counter remedies will involve a daily treatment plan for a number of weeks or months. 

This is because these medicines (often in the form of ear droplets or topical gels) will only kill the adult ear mites. Eggs and larvae are still left to thrive and continue the cycle of reproduction, causing the issue to persist. 

So, much like taking antibiotics, it’s very important the treatment is carefully administered according to the instructions and if even one dose is missed, either re-start with a new treatment plan or head straight back to your vet.

• Use New and Strong One-Day Prescription Doses

The newer medicines can attack the ear mites in just one day. Some of which are in the form of an injection (like ivermectin) and others are in the form of a topical ear drop or tablets such as Milbemite, Simparica, Bravecto, Advantage Multi or Revolution. 

These will all be assessed, chosen and administered by your vet, so there’s no need to worry about finding which is best for your pooch’s conditions.

• Clean Your Dogs Ears Regularly

This act is not something necessarily tied-in with an ear mite infection in dogs as this should be done regularly to keep any dirt, debris or other unwanted pests out of your dog’s ears. 

However, it is still a very important part of the ear mites treatment as it will help to remove loose fluff and debris that can block treatment from working its magic. 

So, your vet may suggest an ear flush while at the surgery which is simply using a vet-approved ear-cleaner, pouring it into the ear canal, massaging, removing and using a cotton ball to dry and take away the remaining debris. 

• Use Flea Control Aids for Your Home

While there are no remedies to kill ear mites in the home, you can use flea remedies such as:

1. Vacuuming
2. Diatomaceous Earth
3. Smoke Bomb
4. Insect Growth Regulator
5. Insect-Repelling Plants like Rosemary
6. Herbal Flea Spray
7. Household Flea Spray
8. Flea Diffuser
9. Mains-Powered Flea Killer

And that’s how you can provide your best doggy pal with effective ear mites treatment plans. 

However, if you’re wanting to go one step further and look toward the preventative measures once you’ve treated your dog and fumigated your home, it’s always best to replace toys and beds as they can harbour eggs or begin to smell differently when cleaned. So, have a look at treating your poor pooch to a new Hiputee bed for their comfort.