How to remove ear mites from your dog

Content

Steps
Method 1 of 4: Topical treatment to remove ear mites
Method 2 of 4: Using Spot Products
Method 3 of 4: Using injection
Method 4 of 4: Additional Precautions

Otodectosis, or ear mites, is a common problem in dogs. Ear mites feed on fat from the ear canals and most commonly affect the horizontal and vertical ear canals. Of course, they can also affect other parts of the dog's body: the head, neck, paws, base of the tail, and areas around the anus.Ear mites are easily transmitted from dog to dog, especially if they live in the same house or were brought to each other for mating. There are three treatments for ear mites that will relieve your dog of this problem: topical treatments, topical treatments, and injections. Each method will be discussed in more detail starting with step 1.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Topical treatment to remove ear mites

1 Check your dog's ears. Even if you are using the medication without a prescription, it is best to check with your veterinarian to know for sure that your dog does indeed have ear mites. In addition, the veterinarian will be able to check before starting treatment if the tympanic membrane is damaged. This will determine which treatment is appropriate.
- If the tympanum (eardrum) is ruptured, drugs can enter the middle ear and cause ototoxicity. This manifests as neurological disorders such as head tilt, horizontal nystagmus (eyes twitch from side to side), imbalance and vomiting. These manifestations are serious and irreversible.
2 Choose an over-the-counter drug that contains pyrethrin or permethrin. These constituents, obtained from chrysanthemum flowers, belong to the group of pyrethroids. They are neurotoxins, which means they work by blocking nerve impulses in insects.
- Despite the way in which they work, major pyrethroids are safe for dogs, as these drugs are poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Pyrethroids are 2.25 times less toxic to dogs than to insects, so even if something gets into the blood, the doses are safe for dogs.
- Many pyrethroid drugs are available over the counter. For preparations containing 0.15% pyrethrin, the recommended dose is 10 drops in each ear.
3 Consider prescription treatment as an alternative. Prescription drugs usually contain ectoparasiticides such as pyrethrins, thiabendazole, and monosulfiram. Some drugs have been shown to be effective against ear mites, but do not contain recognized ectoparasiticides, i.e. unclear how they work.
- One of the benefits of prescription drugs is that they contain anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and sometimes anesthetic ingredients, all of which can be helpful in treating and relieving ear inflammation.
- Ectoparasiticides are pesticides for parasites that are found on the surface of the body. Most prescription drugs will be in this drug class.
4 Use the medication of your choice as directed. Follow package directions or veterinarian recommendations, apply drops in the indicated amount in each ear. Massage gently, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the medication to penetrate the earwax, and then blot any excess with cotton wool. This procedure should be carried out every other day until the symptoms go away.
- The duration of application can be about three full weeks (this is just one full life cycle of the ear mite). However, if there is no improvement after one week of treatment, the diagnosis should be reconsidered.
- Topical preparations not only kill ear mites, but also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, that is, relieve irritation, and also treat secondary bacterial infections.
5 Keep your dog away from other dogs after using medication. There is a theoretical risk of intoxication, for example if another dog licks your dog's ears. To avoid this, try to keep the dog isolated until the medication has dried.
- Signs of poisoning are manifested by excessive salivation, muscle tremors, agitation and, in extreme cases, seizures. Watch for any similar signs in other pets, leave the pet in a dark, quiet room to minimize nerve stimuli, and seek the advice of your veterinarian.
6 Bathe your puppy with an insecticidal shampoo for added protection. If your dog scratches his ears, he can transfer ticks to his paws. When the infection is active, it is helpful to bathe your dog every week with an insecticidal shampoo (such as Seleen) to reduce contamination in the coat and avoid re-infection.
- You can find one or more helpful tips on wikiHow:
  - How to bathe a small dog
  - How to bathe a large dog
  - How to redeem a dog to keep it calm
  - How to bathe your puppy for the first time

Method 2 of 4: Using Spot Products

1 Use drugs containing selamectin or moxidectin for spot treatment. Selamectin and moxidectin are derivatives of ivermectin (a broad spectrum antiparasitic drug) that have proven to be effective, in particular against ear mites. These are prescription drugs and must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Their mechanism of action is a nerve blockade of conduction, which neutralizes the tick and leads to its death.
- Selamectin, in particular, is effective against ear mite lesions. This drug works, in part, by stimulating the release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which paralyzes the mites by blocking the transmission of neuromuscular fibers. Products containing selamectin are labeled "Stronghold" in the UK and "Revolution" in the US.
2 Get a recipe for all the dogs in your home. Ticks are easily transmitted between animals, and exposure of other animals to ear mites can quickly lead to reinfection, even when treating a sick dog.
- However, there are no certified medications for pregnant or lactating dogs or puppies under 12 weeks of age. This is because the active ingredients have not been tested on this group of animals and cannot be considered safe.
3 Find out how much your dog weighs. Always weigh any dog accurately if you plan to treat an animal with a targeted drug. Doses are calculated based on the weight of the dog and determining the weight "by eye" can lead to overdose or, conversely, insufficient dosage for your dog. Application features are printed on the packaging. Read this information carefully, even if you have already treated an animal for an ear mite, because dosages and instructions for use vary from drug to drug.
- Typically, the recommended dosage for moxidectin is about 2.5 mg / kg (a drug that is applied directly to the skin at the withers).
- Again, see the instructions on the packaging. However, as a rule, the information below corresponds to:
  - 0.4 ml moxidectin for dogs weighing 1.5 to 4 kg
  - 1 ml for dogs from 4 to 9 kg
  - 2.5 ml for dogs from 9 to 25 kg
  - 4 ml for dogs from 25 to 40 kg
  - For dogs weighing over 40 kg, a combination of different packaging options can be used. Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best combination for your situation.
4 Apply the recommended amount of the drug. The site of application will depend on the size of the dog and the volume of the medication itself. However, spot medications are often applied to the dog's withers or between the shoulder blades. Use these drugs in the following places:
- Make sure you get the correct amount of the drug. As stated above, the different concentrations of the required ingredients depend on the size of the dog, so you should be absolutely sure that you are using the recommended tube size for your pet's weight.
- Spread the fur and place the tip of the tube over the visible area of the skin.
- Squeeze out the contents of the tube by pushing it 3-4 times.
- Do not pet your dog for a while after using the medication to prevent it from spreading to your hands.
5 Repeat after a month. Some spot-on drugs must be used once a month for long-term protection. If your dog is suffering from an ear mite infection, then these drugs are well suited for treatment. Check with your veterinarian to determine the best drug option.

Method 3 of 4: Using injection

1 In extreme cases, it is possible to use drugs in injections. There are no licensed veterinary injectables for ear mites. However, bovine ivermectin (bovine) injection may help in these circumstances. As mentioned above, the ivermectin group works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses in arthropods, causing paralysis and eventually death of the parasite.
- Since ivermectin is not intended for this purpose, its use should only be used as a last resort in hard-to-reach areas where a more traditional treatment option is not possible.
- Ivermectin 1% for injection (for cattle) is usually dosed at 200 μg / kg body weight, given by subcutaneous injection (shot), repeated after two weeks.
2 Find out when this treatment should not be used. Ivermectin should never be used on Collies, Australian Shepherds, Longhaired Hounds and Shelties. These breeds have a genetic mutation in which the drug can cross the blood-brain barrier, cause CNS toxicity, irreversible coma, and possibly even death.
- Some dogs have similar sensitivities. Intolerance to this drug is not necessarily breed-specific - so there is increasing reason to avoid using it if possible.
- It is not recommended to use for small animals as the drug is potent. If you have a small puppy, this option is not suitable unless approved by your veterinarian. Only owners of large, difficult-to-transport dogs can choose this option.

Method 4 of 4: Additional Precautions

1 Clean your dog's ears regularly. Regular cleaning with the addition of an earwax softener will reduce the level of secretions that the ear mite feeds on.
- The frequency of flushing depends on the frequency of contamination. As a rule, clean your ears with cotton wool, if it gets dirty, clean again the next day, and so on until the cotton wool remains clean. Then brush every week (or more often as needed).
2 How to recognize the symptoms of an ear mite infection. Watch out for the manifestations of the tick and you can immediately prevent the disease in case of re-infection. Look for signs of irritation around the neck and head, such as:
- Head wagging and / or scratching ears
- Itching around the head and neck
- Profuse, dark brown sulfuric discharge in one or both ear canals
- Irritation near the temples
- The dog holds his head to one side
- You have several dogs with brown wax in the ear canals
  - If you notice any of these symptoms and / or manifestations, seek help from your veterinarian as soon as possible. He will be able to establish the cause of these manifestations, most likely an ear mite.
3 Find out how difficult it is to identify ticks. An ear mite is a tiny parasite that is less than 0.5 mm in length and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Mites are afraid of light and live deep in the ear canal, you will need a special instrument to examine them.
- In addition, a veterinarian may take a sample of earwax from a sore ear and examine it on a special glass under a microscope for adult mites, larvae, or eggs.
4 Understand that all dogs in your home may need treatment. As mentioned, ear mites are easily transmitted between animals. To stop the infection, ensure that all animals that come into contact with your pet are treated or they may infect a clean animal again.