Could It Be Ear Mites?
Have your dog’s ears really been worrying him? Notice a lot of strange head shaking and a terrible smell? Chances are he has ear mites.
Ear mites are nearly microscopic parasites that are extremely contagious. Hanging out and rough-housing with his friends at the dog park, sharing bedding with the family cat, both of these are very easy ways for your pet to get a hold of a case of these nasty buggers.
How do I know if my dog has ear mites?
Well, for one, there will be a lot of the aforementioned head shaking going on. He may start rubbing at his ears with his paw. There will certainly be excessive itching and the inside of his ear will likely be red and inflamed. Another tell tale sign of infestation is a black, waxy buildup going into his ear canal. And let’s not forget the smell! Yikes, you’ll definitely notice the funky odor coming from those ears!
What do I do about them?
Well, it’s gross, yes, but it’s not life-threatening. You do want to treat the problem, though, because the irritation caused by the mites could lead to bacterial and fungal infections that could be quite serious. A home remedy that has worked for me in the past is taking a cotton ball that has been soaked in mineral oil and gently cleaning out the inside of Sam’s(my black lab mix) ears. Of course, you want to make sure that you don’t venture into the ear canal and cause any damage. If that doesn’t take care of it, there are over-the-counter medications widely available online and at large pet stores that will help. If you’re still not sure or if the problem persists, then it’s time to take a quick trip to the vet. Chances are he’ll give you an ear wash and antibiotic ointment that will completely wipe out the mites.
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