Ear Mites In Dogs and Cats

Alcatraz, our rescue cat from Maine Coon Cat Rescue is a character. He meows loudly and often, and thinks he should be fed about a dozen times a day. On the other hand, he is affectionate and gets along with all the other cats and dogs.

He has been scratching his ears, but we didn’t really pay attention until his ear flap (the part that sticks up) started to swell and he wouldn’t let us touch it. It became hot also. We ended up taking him in for treatment and to have the hematoma in his ear flap (the swollen part) drained. By the time we were able to take him in, it was quite swollen. The doctor drained it, gave him a cortisone shot and some ear mite remedy and gave us some advice regarding ear mites in dogs and cats.

Ear mites are rather contagious, so we now have to treat all the other animals. Yes, ear mites in dogs can quickly turn into ear mites in cats if you have both. If you suspect something, or if you have just gotten a new pet, look in their ears. Ear mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but you will see a reddish-brown discharge coating the ear canal.

If you don’t treat this, it will only get worse, possibly turn into an infection or cause a hematoma. In any case, imagine the torment of tiny little bugs crawling around inside your ears and you can understand why your pet will be uncomfortable or in actual pain.

Fortunately, ear mites in dogs are treatable. The easiest treatment is with Revolution, which you can buy at a pet store with a vet or grooming facility attached to it. (We are assuming your pet is in good general health otherwise.) You must know your pet’s weight and purchase the product accordingly. It’s simple to apply the contents of the little tube to the back of your pet’s neck, first parting the fur, so it goes directly onto the skin. Reapply again in about a week. This should not only kill the ear mites, but also fleas, ticks, and heartworm. The second application is to kill the ear mite eggs.

You should also put a few drops of mineral or olive oil inside the ear, rub the ear to move the substance around in the canal, and when wipe it away with a cotton ball. Do not use a Q-tip, lest you damage the delicate workings of the inner ear, or push the exudate further down the ear.

You should probably also clean floors with a bleach solution and wash bedding to make sure. A Dogcheapsleeps.com bed can just be wiped with the bleach solution, which is certainly helpful with the problem of ear mites in dogs. Check your pet’s ears from time to time to confirm the mites have not come back.

The worst possibility is surgery and that will run between $800 and $900 from most vets. They make an incision, draw out all the fluid and insert surgical staples to hold the ear closed. Don’t let the problem develop this far!

If you have a light infestation and can’t afford vet care or Revolution, drop a small amount of mineral oil in your pets ears. This should smother the mites. Not guaranteed, however.