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Dog Parasites Affects And Symptoms Article
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Dog Ear Mites
from: Kyle BesserHave you noticed that your dog has been scratching his ears a lot lately? When you took a closer look at his ears to find out what is causing him to scratch so much, did you notice that his ear has a dark discoloration? Did you also notice a foul smelling discharge emanating from the stained ear? Your dog just might have ear mites.
What exactly are ear mites and how do you get rid of them? Will ear mites affect your dog's hearing? If you have other dogs in the house, should you be worried that they might also catch ear mites? These are all very important concerns.
Ear mites are very small parasites that feed on skin particles inside a dog's ears. You will have to look close because they are only the size of a speck. Ear mites have tentacles that irritate the ear canal, making your dog vulnerable to bacterial or fungi infections.
Ear mites are very contagious. They have the tendency to frequently wander away from the dog's ear and into the dog's coat where they are easier for another dog to pick up. They can easily shift their way from one dog to another. They are easily transferred from a mother dog to her puppies. This makes ear mites the most common cause of ear infection in puppies and young dogs.
Symptoms of ear mites include excessive scratching of the ear, head shaking, constant rubbing of the ear against objects, and a waxy, dark-colored discharge. The ear may also look dark and crusty and usually emits a foul smelling odor.
If you think that your dog has ear mites, take him to the vet as soon as possible. Early treatment is crucial to prevent a more serious ear infection. Once your vet determines the presence of ear mites, treatment includes washing out the debris in the ears with an insecticidal preparation that will kill the mites. Your vet will probably instruct you to continue with the treatment at home on a daily basis. This daily treatment of ear mites usually goes on for about three full weeks.
In addition to prescribing medication for ear mites, your vet may also direct you to get a flea powder and sprinkle it on the dog's skin to kill mites that were able to travel away from your dog's ear. Your vet may also suggest that you treat other dogs and cats in your home that may have become infected through direct contact. Make sure to carry on the treatment for the full length of time. Since mites lay eggs in the ears, a new crop will infect your dog again if you stop the treatment too soon.
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