Ear mite infestation can make a dog's life extremely uncomfortable. The poor pet will be seen constantly scratching and shaking the head. Due to extreme itchiness, the dog will be seen rubbing the face against the carpet or ground. Ear mites are tiny organisms that are hardly seen by the naked eye. Ear mites are spider-like parasites that thrive on the dog's moist and warm inner ear as they feed on epidermal debris and ear wax. Ear mites will burrow and bite the dog's skin causing not only pain but discomfort as well especially if the dog shows an allergic reaction to the bites. The dog that relentlessly shakes the head can have hematomas if the small blood vessels rupture. Foul odor and discharge that appears like coffee ground are signs that the dog's ears are infected.
A concerned dog owner would naturally want to eradicate the infestation that makes the pet uncomfortable. Although ear mite infestation cannot be transmitted to humans, this parasite can be transmitted to other pets. A pet parent should not worry too much as there are ways to eradicate the infestation. There are a number of home remedies and over the counter medications that will eradicate the infestation. The foul odor and the severe itching that is caused by an ear mite infestation can also be associated with a bacterial or fungal ear infection thus it would be necessary to have the pet correctly diagnosed by a vet so that the appropriate medication will be prescribed.
A dog owner can choose to use OTC medication to control the ear mite infestation of the pet. This type of OTC medications have insecticides as its main component thus the ear mites will be killed but the incubating eggs will not be affected. Thus, these products have to be used for at least 21 days which is the life cycle of an ear mite.
Topical medications with antibiotic can be used as well. A dog though may not be cooperative with this kind of treatment as infected ears would be painful. For pets that would not tolerate direct treatment, injections that can be given weekly or every two weeks would be a better alternative. Injectible medications can be administered easily but the down side is that the dog may have a sensitivity to the formulation.
A pet owner may opt to use mineral oil to remove the dog's ear mites. An owner simply needs to massage the ears with baby oil to smoother the parasites and to use ear swabs and tissue paper to thoroughly remove ear mite debris. The treatment must be repeated until the infestation is removed.
A concerned dog owner would naturally want to eradicate the infestation that makes the pet uncomfortable. Although ear mite infestation cannot be transmitted to humans, this parasite can be transmitted to other pets. A pet parent should not worry too much as there are ways to eradicate the infestation. There are a number of home remedies and over the counter medications that will eradicate the infestation. The foul odor and the severe itching that is caused by an ear mite infestation can also be associated with a bacterial or fungal ear infection thus it would be necessary to have the pet correctly diagnosed by a vet so that the appropriate medication will be prescribed.
A dog owner can choose to use OTC medication to control the ear mite infestation of the pet. This type of OTC medications have insecticides as its main component thus the ear mites will be killed but the incubating eggs will not be affected. Thus, these products have to be used for at least 21 days which is the life cycle of an ear mite.
Topical medications with antibiotic can be used as well. A dog though may not be cooperative with this kind of treatment as infected ears would be painful. For pets that would not tolerate direct treatment, injections that can be given weekly or every two weeks would be a better alternative. Injectible medications can be administered easily but the down side is that the dog may have a sensitivity to the formulation.
A pet owner may opt to use mineral oil to remove the dog's ear mites. An owner simply needs to massage the ears with baby oil to smoother the parasites and to use ear swabs and tissue paper to thoroughly remove ear mite debris. The treatment must be repeated until the infestation is removed.
About the Author:
At Sarah's Dogs you can learn more about how to get rid of dog ear mites as well as dog first aid and more.
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