How to get rid of ear mites
An ear mite infestation can severely affect the quality of a dog's life. Constant head shaking and scratching is a sign that the dog has these tiny parasites. Due to extreme itchiness, the dog will be seen rubbing the face against the carpet or ground. Ear mites are highly infectious parasites that appear like tiny white dots. These very small spider-like parasites thrive on the moist area of the ear canal and feed on ear wax and epidermal debris. 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 violent shaking would break small blood vessels causing the formation of hematomas. The scratching will result to bleeding infected skin that will have a foul odor.
A concerned dog owner would naturally want to eradicate the infestation that makes the pet uncomfortable. The ear mites that infest the dog cannot affect humans but the infestation can be transmitted to other pets. Fortunately ear mite infestation can be easily eradicated. An ear mite infestation can be easily controlled with OTC medication and home treatments. However, because the signs of ear mite infestation are similar to the symptoms of other health concern, a dog owner has to be sure that the dog has ear mites and that the discomfort and the foul smell is not caused by bacterial or fungal infection.
The infestation can be controlled with over the counter medications. An application of these products that contain insecticide will get rid of the fully grown ear mites but would have no effect on the incubating eggs. These medications have to be used for 21 days following the life cycle of an ear mite to ensure that the parasite is totally eliminated.
Topical ear medications used for 10 to 14 days would be a better choice as these kinds of medications contains antibiotics for the inflammation and infection of the ears. A dog though may not be cooperative with this kind of treatment as infected ears would be painful. For pet that would not put up with the application of topical treatments, injectible medications are better alternatives. This form of treatment must be administered by vets as some dogs would have adverse reactions to the medication.
Ear mite eradication can be done at home by using mineral oil. 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. Mineral oil treatment must be repeated until the infestation is controlled.
A concerned dog owner would naturally want to eradicate the infestation that makes the pet uncomfortable. The ear mites that infest the dog cannot affect humans but the infestation can be transmitted to other pets. Fortunately ear mite infestation can be easily eradicated. An ear mite infestation can be easily controlled with OTC medication and home treatments. However, because the signs of ear mite infestation are similar to the symptoms of other health concern, a dog owner has to be sure that the dog has ear mites and that the discomfort and the foul smell is not caused by bacterial or fungal infection.
The infestation can be controlled with over the counter medications. An application of these products that contain insecticide will get rid of the fully grown ear mites but would have no effect on the incubating eggs. These medications have to be used for 21 days following the life cycle of an ear mite to ensure that the parasite is totally eliminated.
Topical ear medications used for 10 to 14 days would be a better choice as these kinds of medications contains antibiotics for the inflammation and infection of the ears. A dog though may not be cooperative with this kind of treatment as infected ears would be painful. For pet that would not put up with the application of topical treatments, injectible medications are better alternatives. This form of treatment must be administered by vets as some dogs would have adverse reactions to the medication.
Ear mite eradication can be done at home by using mineral oil. 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. Mineral oil treatment must be repeated until the infestation is controlled.
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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