Ear Mites
Ear mites are not generally considered a risk to humans.
Life Cycle
Ear mites spend their entire life on the host. Adult mites mate and lay eggs in the ear canals and on the surrounding fur. The eggs hatch to form larvae which then molt to become nymphs, which molt again to form adults. They never leave the animal.
The Signs
Ear mites can multiply quickly prior to detection. The mite infestation is usually detected because the dog or cat displays irritation in the ear by scratching and/or the presence of black crusty substance in the ears. As the mites crawl around inside the ear canal they browse on cerumen (ear wax) and as the ear becomes more irritated the lining begins to secrete serum (clear component of blood). The serum, cerumen, and ear mite excrement combine to form a thick, black, crusty substance (exudate) that may nearly close off the ear canal. The irritation and blockage of airflow can set up the ear for a secondary bacterial or fungal infection. The ear may become red and inflamed, and skin diseases may result from the ear mite infestation. If left untreated long enough, infection can spread to the tail and feet or worse yet, hearing loss or deafness can occur.The feet and tail also need to be treated if infection occurs.
Diagnosis Have your vet check for ear mites if your pet is scratching its ears often and/or has a black crusty substance in its ears, or the ears appear red and inflamed. Veterinarians usually diagnose ear mite infection by performing an otospic exam on your pet. They can take a sample of the microbes present in the ears of your pet and study it under the microscope. Once they have determined that the problem is indeed caused by ear mites, proper treatment will be carried out. However, unlike mange or scabies, classifying the type of ear mites present inside the dog's ear is not necessary. Ear mites are transmitted through social interaction with other infested pets, so all pets should be checked regularly at home and by your veterinarian for possible ear mite infestation. Treatment Ear mites are treatable with a number of products currently on the market. Because the infestation is easily transmitted between animals, all animals in the household (dogs, cats, rabbits) should be treated for ear mites. Ear mite medications commonly contain a pyrethrin insecticide and vehicle such as mineral oil. These medications can be purchased over-the-counter from many pet stores or veterinary hospitals. Clean the ears thoroughly before applying the medication. One of the biggest causes of treatment failure is not removing the exudate BEFORE applying the medication. Every bit of the black, crusty exudate must be removed from the ear canal before any medication will work. This is best accomplished by gently flushing the ear canal using an ear bulb (available from drug stores). Mix up a solution of warm water and liquid dishwashing detergent (just enough detergent to slightly color the water) and fill the ear bulb. The tip of the bulb is held loosely in the ear and the water/soap solution is gently squeezed in allowing it to bubble out carrying the debris (never block the free passage of the solution out of the ear or you could rupture the ear drum). This process is repeated three or four times until the ears are clean. The ears are then rinsed with warm, clear water and dried. Q-tips are not recommended because they carry the dirtiest contamination deeper into the canal making the infection worse. If you do not feel comfortable cleaning the ear, you should consult your veterinarian. A second reason for treatment failure is not treating long enough. This treatment schedule is suggested:
The reason for this schedule is to interrupt the entire life-cycle. Each week more eggs will hatch and new mites will colonize the ear. By the end of the third week we have killed all stages of the ear mite life-cycle and we should see no more problems. Occasionally, if bacterial or fungal infections have caused damage to the ear canal, an antibiotic or anti-fungal cream or ointment may need to be used. Just remember to clean the ears thoroughly BEFORE treatment and treat long enough and it should be easy to rid your pet of these common pests. It is important to treat the environment as well as your pet. If you have an outside pet, it is important to keep them away from infested areas and other pets until the ear mite infection is healed and the infestation in the environment is gone. If you don't treat your pet and its environment, and the pet is not restricted from infested environments, the chances of getting ear mites again or passing it on to other pets is very high. Lakeside Veterinary clinic assumes no liability for injury to you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions or procedures.
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Ear mites, Otodectes cyanotics, are tiny parasites that live on the surface of ear canal skin of dogs, cats, and rabbits. They are barely visible to the human eye. Ear mites are extremely common. Greater than 50% of dogs, cats and fox are carriers of ear mites. Most infestations are subclinical and unapparent, but secondary bacterial and fungal infections can cause a nasty external ear canal infection and much irritation and discomfort for your pet. 