How can you tell if a dog has ear mites?
Dedric Kozey
2025-08-30 19:32:04
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If your dog is scratching their ears more than usual, it could indicate that they are suffering from mite infestation. Ear mites are extremely small, making it difficult to spot them. If you use a soft cloth to wipe the dog’s ears, you may be able to spot the mites in the residue. They appear as tiny white dots. Some symptoms to look out for are brown or black waxy ear secretions and a strong odor from the ears. Other symptoms are ear inflammation, debris in the ear canal, hair loss, and excessive scratching, rubbing, or itching of the ears. Skin issues like scabs or dermatitis around the ears and persistent shaking of the head can also signify mite infestation. Symptoms of ear mites can be like those of ear infections. One of the easiest ways to know the difference is by examining the debris or discharge from the ears.
Thurman McLaughlin
2025-08-27 20:47:30
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Sometimes, due to intense itching and scratching your dog’s ears can become very sore which makes it difficult for them to stay still during the examination. If that’s the case, your dog may need to be sedated for the diagnostic and initial treatment. The vet will start by cleaning the dog’s ears to remove the mites. Your pup’s ears will also have to be thoroughly cleaned to remove the resulting debris and the stubborn mites still hanging on. And bear in mind that if there are ear mites still living in the house, they can be picked up again which means the process will have to be started from scratch.
Jordane Cummings
2025-08-19 22:53:24
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If you want to know how to check your dog for ear mites, it is best to look for signs of ear mites rather than the parasites themselves. Signs of ear mites in dogs include scratching around the ears, head and neck, skin irritation, head shaking, the presence of an ear discharge that is dark and waxy (resembling coffee grounds) and an unpleasant odour from the ears. Ear mite infestation may also allow for a secondary bacterial or yeast infection to occur in your dog’s ears, which can increase the severity of these signs. The symptoms in puppies and older dogs will be similar (scratching around the ears, head and neck, skin irritation, head shaking, the presence of an ear discharge that is dark and waxy, and an unpleasant odour from the ears). Because ear mites are hard to see without a microscope, mild or early stage ear mites in dogs can be difficult to detect. The first thing you may notice is itching or irritation of the ears. Ear mites aren’t the only reason your dog might have discomfort in their ears and so it’s best to consult with your vet who can examine your dog and rule out other potential causes. Ear mites in dogs typically look like tiny, moving dots in the ear canal, but are so tiny that you may not be able to spot them at all. It takes a vet with an otoscope or microscope to properly spot an infestation.
Lilian Willms
2025-08-07 14:22:49
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Itchy ears, smelly ears, red, painful, swollen ears, and rubbing face/head are all symptoms of ear mites. Ear wax, which is often dark brown, is also a sign. A swollen ear can occur if an aural haematoma develops. Always contact your vet if you think your dog has an ear problem. Your vet will give your dog a treatment to kill their ear mites and may also prescribe an ear cleaner and medicated eardrops. Ear mites cause an intense itch and can affect dogs of any age, but are most common in puppies.
Andreanne Hahn
2025-08-07 11:21:12
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If you’ve ever seen your dog shaking his head or scratching his ears excessively, you may wonder if he has an infection or allergies. However, ear mites, also referred to as Otodectes cynotis, may be the culprit. A veterinarian will first examine your dog, paying close attention to his ears. An otoscope is a special tool that is used to investigate your dog’s ear canals to find abnormal discharge or inflammation. The veterinarian will ask whether your dog is on any monthly preventatives, when symptoms began, and whether there are any other cats or dogs in the household. Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in a dog’s ear canals and cause extreme itching, pain, and abnormal discharge. If the veterinarian suspects ear mites, diagnostic testing can be done, such as an ear cytology, which is the preferred test to diagnose ear mites in dogs. During this test, a veterinarian uses a cotton swab to gently collect a small amount of debris from the dog’s ear canal.
Brandon Effertz
2025-08-07 09:57:57
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Dogs with ear mites will often shake their heads excessively and scratch their ears. An ear mite infection will cause your dog’s ears to itch, which often results in them shaking their head excessively, or scratching at their ears with their paws. Ear mites can also cause your dog's ears to produce wax, become irritated, causing them to look red and inflamed, produce a dry black ear discharge, smell unusual. Ear mites look like tiny white dots in appearance, but as they are microscopic, they can barely be seen with the naked eye. A microscope is normally needed to confirm if your dog has ear mites. Your vet will need to confirm their presence by looking inside your dog's ear, this is normally done with a tool called an otoscope. Irritation in your dog's ear can be caused by many other things, so it's essential to book an appointment with your vet to determine whether ear mites are the cause of your dog's irritation.
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