Ear mites on dogs

The ear mite, Otodectes cynotis

Fig. 78. The ear mite, Otodectes cynotis. (Vitzthum)

Dogs that are infected with ear mites, respond by scratching their ears, shaking their heads, etc. The ear canal may appear healthy or there may be a dry, crusty rash. Detection. Clean the ear lightly with a cotton swab dipped in glycerin. Examine the findings for mites under a microscope. The veterinarian can often see the live ear mites in his otoscope when he looks into the ear. Ear mites in the fur can be seen in hairs that are brushed off and then examined under a microscope. {0}Mites in the fur can also be house dust mites, storage mites or fur mites.

In co-operation with the veterinarian, the owner must decide whether the ear mites are the cause of the problem, or whether there is an ear disease, which should be treated first. Some of the medicines, which – for other reasons- are put into the ear canal are also likely to rid the ear mites.

Ear mites

In several species of carnivores (dog, cat, fox, ferret, etc.), mites that live in the ear canal can be found. They are called ear mites, Otodectes cynotis, and are up to 1/2 mm long. It feeds by gnawing on the skin in the ear canal. Young mites, perhaps of the spreading stages, can be seen in the fur near the ears. Cats are almost always infected with ear mites, but they are rarely bothered by them. Cats can be infected by so many ear mites that they fall of when the cat moves around. Rabbits are infected by another kind of ear mite. The ear mites cannot spread to humans.