Ear mites are one of the banes of a dog's existence. Ear mites are barely visible but these minute organisms are highly contagious. These harmless looking small white dots can cause extreme discomfort to dogs and cats. You can just imagine the distress a dog would feel if the ear canal has thousands of scurrying feet and thousands of mouths that continuously gnaw the skin.
Ear mite infestation can easily spread as these parasites can be transmitted by an infested pet to another through physical contact. A pet that is infested with these microscopic ear mites can easily transmit the bugs to other pets of the family. Since these are very tiny parasites, the infestation can get severe before it can be discovered by the pet owner.
You may think that the pet is trying to amuse you if it keeps on turning in circles. It is possible that the bizarre behavior of the pet is due to the ear mites on its ear canal that is causing extreme discomfort. Severe infestation will have serious effects on the dog as once the ear is plugged with the ear mites, the dog that losses its balance can no longer walk in a straight line. Severe ear mite infestation can cause the dog to have seizures. Raw bleeding skin that results if the ear mite infested dog would continuously scratch the ear can develop bacterial infection. Without prompt medical attention, the infection can worsen and result to deafness if the dog's ear drum is ruptured.
Fortunately, this kind of parasite infestation can be easily eradicated. For the safety of the dog, the appropriate treatment must be given thus, an owner has to make sure that the discomfort that depresses the dog is caused by ear mite infestation. These parasites that feed on the earwax and on the skin oils of the ear canal would leave coffee-ground like discharge. The coffee ground like discharge found on inside the dog's ears are actually blood and pus.
An application of mineral oil is one good way of eradicating ear mites. The mineral oil is best applied with an eye dropper. Massage the ear slathered with oil to soften the exudates that may be plugging the ear and to smother the ear mites. Over the counter medications can also be used to eradicate ear mites. Ear mites can live for months without a host thus the parasite can survive on the dog's bedding or in the areas that the dog frequents. Wash the dog's bedding and toys with hot water to prevent another ear mite infestation.
Ear mite infestation can easily spread as these parasites can be transmitted by an infested pet to another through physical contact. A pet that is infested with these microscopic ear mites can easily transmit the bugs to other pets of the family. Since these are very tiny parasites, the infestation can get severe before it can be discovered by the pet owner.
You may think that the pet is trying to amuse you if it keeps on turning in circles. It is possible that the bizarre behavior of the pet is due to the ear mites on its ear canal that is causing extreme discomfort. Severe infestation will have serious effects on the dog as once the ear is plugged with the ear mites, the dog that losses its balance can no longer walk in a straight line. Severe ear mite infestation can cause the dog to have seizures. Raw bleeding skin that results if the ear mite infested dog would continuously scratch the ear can develop bacterial infection. Without prompt medical attention, the infection can worsen and result to deafness if the dog's ear drum is ruptured.
Fortunately, this kind of parasite infestation can be easily eradicated. For the safety of the dog, the appropriate treatment must be given thus, an owner has to make sure that the discomfort that depresses the dog is caused by ear mite infestation. These parasites that feed on the earwax and on the skin oils of the ear canal would leave coffee-ground like discharge. The coffee ground like discharge found on inside the dog's ears are actually blood and pus.
An application of mineral oil is one good way of eradicating ear mites. The mineral oil is best applied with an eye dropper. Massage the ear slathered with oil to soften the exudates that may be plugging the ear and to smother the ear mites. Over the counter medications can also be used to eradicate ear mites. Ear mites can live for months without a host thus the parasite can survive on the dog's bedding or in the areas that the dog frequents. Wash the dog's bedding and toys with hot water to prevent another ear mite infestation.
About the Author:
Learn more about how to get rid of dog ear mites as well as dog first aid at Sarah's Dogs.
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