- swelling and redness in the auricle;
- lack of appetite;
- anxiety;
- tilting the head towards the affected ear or twitching it;
- constant whining.
- colloidal sulfur.
- Amidel gel.
- Oridermil.
- Sulfur ointment.
- Liniment balsamic according to Vishnevsky.
- washed auricles brewing strong black tea;
- combine in equal quantities finely grated garlic and olive oil and thoroughly wipe the affected areas with the resulting product;
- mix sunflower oil and iodine in a ratio of 4:1 and the finished solution is processed.
Show all
Ear mites are transmitted when a healthy animal comes into contact with an infected one. In puppies, the source of infection is usually the mother.
Added to this are the following symptoms:
In advanced cases, pus forms in the auricle. If the inflammation passes to the meninges, then develop nervous disorders the pet dies.
After that, soak and remove the crusts.With an advanced disease, such a procedure causes the pet to pain . Then injected into the cleaned ear medications. The doctor prescribes them individually for each specific dog. As additional measures, he prescribes ointments designed to treat a fungal infection, as well as a course of vitamins and anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy will also help.
If it is not possible to see a doctor, then you can treat otodectosis at home. To clean the auricle from accumulated sulfur, crusts, leaked exudate, on forefinger wrap a piece of bandage or gauze and wipe the inner surface of the ear with it. The bandage is moistened in a solution of hydrogen peroxide, furacilin or boric acid. For the same purpose, special lotions can be purchased at the pharmacy, for example, Otodin or Epi-otic. They also remove bad smell, reduce itching. They are also used as a preventive measure.
To get rid of ear mites, medicines are used in the form of drops. You need to bury them in both ears, strictly observing the prescribed dosage. Most Effective ear drops from otodectosis in dogs:
| A drug | Application |
| 3-5 drops in each ear |
"Aurikan"
| 5 drops |
| 3-6 drops |
"Otovedin"
| 3-5 drops |
"Ektodes"
| 3-5 drops |
"Surolan"
| 5 drops |
For external treatment, ointments are prescribed:
The ointment is warmed to room temperature and applied with massaging movements to the affected area so that the drug penetrates into the deeper layers of the epidermis.
Folk remedies
It is allowed to soften the parched crusts with folk remedies: vegetable oil or freshly brewed tea leaves.
The most popular and effective methods:
After the procedure, you need to wash your hands well and make sure that the dog does not lick off the medicine. Folk remedies only effective for early stage diseases and do not help in advanced cases.
Prevention measures
ear mite is transmitted from an infected animal, so you need to protect your pet from contact with street stray dogs. This is the main measure for the prevention of the disease.
The dog should be checked regularly for insects, paying particular attention to the ears. This is especially important for animals with hidden auricles, because it is not immediately possible to detect a tick or inflammation in them. If brown sulfur forms, then the pet has become infected with otodectosis.
The photo below shows what an adult Otodectes cynotis tick looks like under a microscope:
On a note
Otodectosis is a chronic disease, and its danger to the health of the dog is the higher, the longer the life of the ear mites in the pet's ear canals continues.
The animal furiously combs the ears, additionally injures them and pollutes them, which causes foci of bacterial reproduction, often turning into purulent otitis media. This is followed by severe inflammation of the tympanic membrane, its perforation occurs (holes form in it), and the inflammation passes to inner ear and then to the meninges. Usually, if untreated, otodectosis dogs die due to purulent meningitis.
On a note
The eggs are whitish-gray, oval in shape, reach 0.3 mm. The female lays them in the ears or on the coat of a sick dog. After a short period of time, small larvae emerge from them - they are distinguished from adults by three, not four pairs of legs.
The photo below shows ear mites in the focus of invasion:
On a note
Ear scabies is manifested by a sharp systematic itching in the auricle and ear canal. Because of this, the dog shakes its ears and head strongly and often, combs the auricles with its paws. Sometimes the disease quickly passes into the stage of purulent otitis media.
On a note
Although ear scabies and otitis media are often identified, it is relatively easy to distinguish them even at home (this can be important for choosing the direction of treatment, since before starting it, you need to understand what exactly caused the disease). Classical otitis is not preceded by prolonged itching, the animals do not scratch their ears, as they experience severe aching pain in the ear canal. The nature of the discharge from the dog's ears also differs significantly: when an ear mite is affected, a dark brown viscous mass is present, it smells bad, crusts form, while with otitis media, the discharge is usually relatively liquid, they are derivatives of suppuration.
If the disease is not detected in the initial stages, inflammation can lead to perforation of the eardrum. This will be followed by inflammation of the inner ear, followed by inflammation of the upper membranes of the brain.
The following are the main symptoms that appear when a dog is infected with an ear mite:
- animals shake their heads sharply, often scratch their ears;
- whine;
- observed pathological changes in head position (dogs tilt their heads, turning sore ear down);
- the pet becomes irritable;
- sleep is disturbed, the dog does not eat well;
- puppies are not gaining weight;
- sometimes there is also an increase in body temperature.
This is interesting
The disease often occurs in chronic form. Itching may occur sporadically due to the temporary activity of ticks. Sometimes the symptoms of otodectosis in a dog are very mild, but it is able to infect other dogs with which it comes into contact.
In the treatment of otodectosis in dogs, one should not rely only on one's own strength or seriously rely only on folk methods treatment - it is important to consult a specialist in time. The final diagnosis is made after laboratory research discharge from the dog's ear (with the help of a microscope, mites are found in them).
How does infection usually occur?
In dogs, otodectosis is constantly recorded in all parts of Russia, but this disease does not reach the scale of epidemics. Usually foci of otodectosis are locally distributed, their boundaries correspond to farms, fur farms, as well as sleeping quarters where a large number of stray animals.
This tick-borne disease has no seasonal confinement - dogs get sick at any time of the year.
On a note
The lack of seasonality in the life cycle of ear mites is an additional problem in the prevention and treatment of ear and subcutaneous acarosis, since infection can occur even in winter, when there are severe frosts outside.
However, despite the fact that ear scabies does not show signs of obvious seasonality, largest number cases of infection of dogs still occur in the autumn-spring period, when the air is quite humid. And among urban animals living in apartments, the peak of invasions occurs in the summer, when pets are actively taken out for walks in nature.
Otodectosis occurs in dogs of different age categories. Young animals aged from 1.5 to 5 months are most affected, while the disease in puppies often takes place in a complicated form. Puppies usually get infected from their mother.
Dog breeds most susceptible to ear mites long ears, especially hunting ones, to which the tick can pass from foxes, arctic foxes, ferrets and other predators with otodectosis. Ear mites are also relatively common in:
- dachshund;
- spitz;
- french bulldogs;
- chihuahua;
- Yorkies;
- german shepherds.
Healthy animals in apartments and farms become infected through:
- contacts with sick dogs and cats (even short-term contacts on the streets during walks are enough - for example, when sniffing);
- care items that have touched infected animals (ticks and their eggs remain on combs, bowls, bedding, toys of cats and dogs, so if there are several animals in the apartment, then an individual approach to their hygiene is very important);
- clothes and skin of a person who touched animals with ear scabies;
- flies and fleas, which are mechanical carriers of Otodectes cynotis eggs.
The photo below shows a cluster of ear mites in a sample of dog ear discharge:
When treating dogs for ear mites, various acaricides are used, and the first thing you should pay attention to is the variety of forms of preparations.
So, there are four main types of anti-tick medicines:
- sprays;
- drops;
- ointments;
- powders.
Most of them are quite suitable for home use, but before using this or that drug, you should always consult with your veterinarian. Firstly, only a specialist can make a final diagnosis, and secondly, the choice of drug and concentrations will largely depend on the intensity of infection (how far otodectosis is running). Thirdly, it is often also necessary to remove accompanying symptoms diseases caused by its complications.
Despite the significant difference in approaches to the treatment of ear mites, there is a certain algorithm of actions that should be followed.
First you need to limit the contact of a sick animal with healthy ones. It is helpful to wash your dog regularly and thoroughly, but be careful not to get water in his ears. Before entering medical preparations, the ear canal must be cleaned of secretions and crusts. To do this, you need to pour into the ear saline(either a solution of chlorhexidine or a special lotion for cleansing the ears), wait about 5 minutes, and then very gently massage and clean the softened mass with a cotton swab. Only after that you can proceed to the introduction of the drug.
An example of a good ear cleaning lotion for cats and dogs is Otifri:
On a note
It should be borne in mind that in a dog with otodectosis, massage in the auricle area can cause significant pain, therefore, such a procedure should be carried out as carefully as possible, without excessive pressure.
Drops are introduced into the ear canal with a pipette, after which the base of the ear is again subjected to a light massage. If an ointment is applied, this is done with a swab. The powders are carefully poured into the auricle and distributed with a cotton swab (without deepening into the ear canal). Sprays are also very convenient, which are sprayed into the ear and on the animal's coat according to the instructions.
Most effective drugs from ear mites, which give a quick result, are considered drops and sprays, since they contain a high concentration of active substances and effectively penetrate into the focus of the disease. In some cases, it is possible to combine means - for example, the simultaneous use of a spray and ointment.
Do not forget about possible complications diseases due to associated microflora. In some cases, in addition to the external use of acaricides, it may be necessary intramuscular injection antibiotics.
On a note
Separately, it should be said about some folk remedies, which often try to deal with ear mites. For example, you can often find recipes based on oily substances (olive and sunflower oils, kerosene), which are mixed with caustic ingredients (garlic juice, iodine). It is assumed that the oil, getting into the ears, will envelop and suffocate the tick, and garlic or iodine will disinfect the inflamed ear from bacteria.
Thus, when a dog is infected with an ear mite, the most effective, safe and quick treatment option will be the use of medications. Without the intervention of a veterinarian, the disease threatens with serious complications, often leading to disability of the dog, and sometimes to death.
Let's now look at examples of some of the drugs that are used today to treat dogs with otodectosis.
Effective drugs used to treat otodectosis in pets
This list contains just a few of the really effective and time-tested remedies that can quickly cure a dog of ear mange. Moreover, this does not mean that they the best way suitable in your case - only qualified treatment under the supervision of a specialist will help to achieve desired result as soon as possible.
Measures to prevent otodectosis
Apart from drug treatment, it is necessary to remember the sanitary condition of the apartments, since ticks and their eggs very quickly disperse throughout the room, and if they are not destroyed here, then after a while the infection of a seemingly already cured animal can occur again.
It is useful to boil all the tissue items of the animal (bedding, clothes, toys), wash and dry everything in the sun. bed sheets in the house. Do a general cleaning twice a week, using available disinfectants.
Do not allow the treated animal to come into contact with bed linen. Ventilate the apartment more often. In winter, it can be effective to "freeze" large carpets with a long pile, sofas, armchairs. Booths and dog care items should be treated with any acaricidal agent. To avoid re-infection, it is necessary to monitor the dog during walks, not to allow it to stray animals.
if you have personal experience treating a dog for ear mites - be sure to share the information by leaving your review at the bottom of this page. How the disease proceeded in your pet, whether you went to the veterinarian or treated yourself, what drugs were used and whether the dog was cured - any information will be useful to subsequent readers ...
This article tells you which drugs to use and what not to do. In addition, here is information on what needs to be done to prevent the appearance of an ear mite, which is also called a skin beetle, in a dog.
On the official medical language the problem is called otodectosis and represents an infestation of the dog with an ear mite. Kozheed is a representative of the class of arachnids and belongs to the subclass of arthropods. This insect is quite small in size, which settles in the ear canal of dogs. The kozheed grows in length no more than 1 mm and affects animals, regardless of gender or age, although young individuals suffer more from ear mites.
Often, neglected cases of the disease lead not only to hearing loss in a dog, but also to its death. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to diagnose the problem in a timely manner and begin to treat it.
If the house contains other animals, then they must also be examined for ear mites. Cats are the most sensitive and often affected, so they should be examined first. If necessary, the procedures should be carried out with other animals. In any case, preventive measures never hurt.
On a note! Before starting treatment, it is necessary to carefully study the instructions for the drug, and if necessary, consult a doctor. It is very important to take into account all the nuances so as not to harm the animal. If the animal, after using the drug, has adverse reactions then the use of this drug should be discontinued.
The most commonly used:
- Strong black tea.
- Olive oil and grated garlic, mixed in equal amounts. This composition processes the ear passages of the dog.
- A mixture of kerosene and sunflower oil in equal proportions.
- Iodine and sunflower oil, combined in a ratio of 1:4.
After the procedure for applying funds, you must thoroughly wash your hands. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the animal cannot lick off the substance, although it is unlikely to get it in the ears.
Constant monitoring of the condition of your pet is a guarantee that you will be able to save the animal from discomfort and serious consequences in time.
But, this does not negate the fact that neglected and extremely neglected cases of otodectosis are regularly encountered in veterinary practice. Sometimes things are so bad that the dog is completely. In general, I would like to advise all breeders not to look “through their fingers” at a dog that furiously scratches its ears. The sooner you contact a veterinarian, the greater the chance of a successful outcome.
Females lay eggs and stick them with a special secret to the inner walls of the external auditory canal. The incubation period is about four days. The life cycle includes: larva, protonymph and deutonymph. The development time of each stage is from three to five days (depending on the season and other factors).
During the summer months all life cycle ticks can fit in a week and a half! But in winter - stretch for at least one month. It is quite logical that in the cold season, ticks tend to get farther into the ear canals, which is why the sick dog will have more problems (up to complete hearing loss).
But today, scientists tend to believe that female ticks (due to their high need for easily digestible proteins) also consume the blood of infected animals in considerable quantities. Of course for adult dog blood loss in this case is still scanty, but weakened puppies due to such " taste preferences» Ticks can weaken even more, and in some cases it comes to death.
What does a tick look like
Symptoms and signs of infection
Many breeders rightly believe that with otodectosis, the main symptoms and signs of infection relate to the auricles and ear canals. But in fact, this is not entirely true. However, first things first.
It is believed that a pronounced clinical picture develops in those cases when in the auditory canals of one animal accumulates from two thousand ticks or more.
Primary accumulations of tick secretions appear in the auricles about two weeks after the initial infection. But! There are cases when deposits of waste products appeared after two months, and until that time, infected dogs simply scratched their ears (and even then not constantly). In this, dogs are very different from all the same cats, in which signs of the disease develop much faster.
Note that initially the secretions of ticks are light, but gradually, under the influence of developing fungi and secondary microflora, they darken. In addition, two weeks after infection, antibodies appear in the blood of animals, produced by the body in response to saliva and other waste products of ticks entering the bloodstream. At the same time, the animal develops severe itching, why the dog constantly begins to scratch his ears.
So, you can determine the presence of an ear mite in a pet by the combination of the following signs:
- The surface of the skin of the external auditory canals is covered with a hard, waxy, crumbly coating.
- In the same places it is possible (with palpation) to feel a noticeable thickening of the skin and its scalyness.
- There is a sharp increase in activity sebaceous glands, which is why the hair near the auricles sticks together, sags in the form of icicles, and an unpleasant smell comes from it.
- A blood test reveals a significant increase in the number of macrophages and mast cells.
- The blood vessels in the auricles and adjacent tissues are dilated, which is accompanied by hyperemia (redness) and an increase in local body temperature.
- In advanced cases, the disease worsens purulent inflammation. The exudate is clearly visible in the ear canals, it is constantly released and pollutes the hair near the auricles.
Important! In severe cases of otodectosis, more than just the ears are affected. Perhaps the development of miliary dermatitis, often covering the abdomen and groin. "Harmless" otodectosis is fraught with the development of skin pathologies covering large areas of the animal's body.
Not only a dog furiously scratching its ears can be contagious - even a pet that looks quite healthy often has a hundred or two ticks. In any case, the main ways of transmission and infection are direct contact of animals with each other. The less often the dog will be in contact with relatives, the less the risk of infection.
Are ear mites transmitted to humans?
Diagnosis of otodectosis
The most simple diagnosis- visual observation of a sick dog. An infected dog will constantly shake its head and scratch its ears. In severe cases, the animal does this so frenetically that the auricles are quickly covered with deep scratches and even tears. In addition, all these injuries are quickly subjected to seeding with secondary microflora, which, accordingly, leads to the development of inflammatory processes.
The ears of such a pet smell bad when the dog shakes its head, droplets of brownish exudate (with a disgusting smell) can scatter in all directions.
Practicing veterinarians offer a good home visual diagnostic tool:
- It is necessary to take a cotton swab and warm saline solution.
- Moistened with a cotton swab, wipe the inside of the dog's ear canal, and then cut off the cotton tip and place it in a sealed transparent glass vial.
- After about an hour, the mites begin to massively leave the cotton wool and accumulate on the glass (this is very clearly visible even to the naked eye). The mass accumulated on the wall of the bubble (for reliability) is collected with a scraper and subjected to microscopic examination.
How to distinguish otitis media from ear mites: diagnostic nuances
When diagnosing, there may be a problem with how to distinguish from an ear mite. In fact, there is nothing particularly complicated about this:
- Otitis develops much faster than otodectosis.
- Inflammatory processes in the middle and inner ear are much more severe, accompanied by an increase in the general body temperature of the animal and a visible deterioration in its condition.
- With otitis, the dog usually does not scratch his ears. She sits with her head constantly tilted to one side. So the animal tries to reduce the intensity of pain.
But! In many cases of advanced otodectosis, it makes no sense to differentiate it from otitis media: the problem is that in such situations inflammation of the middle and inner ear will develop in parallel with tick-borne invasion. So the pet will have to be treated immediately for two diseases. In a word, it is better not to bring otodectosis to advanced stages!
Home treatment: how to deal with ear mites
Fortunately, in many cases, ear mites can also be treated at home. But only on condition that the disease is not running. In other situations, you will have to seek veterinary help!
Drops for the treatment of otodectosis
Drops are the most popular. We would recommend using the following formulations:
- "Leopard".
- Aurican.
- Decta.
- Otoferonol Premium. This is one of the most powerful anti-tick remedies. The advantage of these drops is not only in the guaranteed destruction of ticks, but also in the relief of inflammatory processes.
- Frontline.
- Tzipam and others.
In a word, on the shelves of veterinary pharmacies, you can easily find dozens of names of drops from ear mites. There are no problems with the choice, respectively.
Ear mites spray
- Ivermek spray. As it is easy to understand, the drug is made on the basis of ivermectin.
- Acaromectin spray.
The use of drops and sprays is completely similar. The drugs in these dosage forms instilled or sprayed directly into the ear canal. After that, it is imperative to massage the base of the ear so that the medicine is evenly distributed and has the maximum effect.
Healing ointments
Also, the following ointments can be used to treat otodectosis:
- Vedinol plus.
- Ointment Aversectin.
- Oridermil.
You need to talk a little about the rules for using ointments. They must be used only after preliminary cleaning of the ears (peroxide, for example). You need to make funds inside the ear canal. For this use cotton buds or tampons.
Folk remedies for the treatment of ear mites in dogs
Of course, pharmaceuticals are very "lethal" and reliable, but sometimes folk remedies can also show impressive effectiveness. Provided, of course, that they are used correctly.
Oil
Not just oil is used, but a mixture of three oils:
- Lavender.
- mint.
- Tea tree oils.
The mixture is prepared in a ratio of 1:1:1, it has a wonderful aroma and no less pronounced therapeutic effect. Buried at the rate of three drops in each ear, three times a day. The course of treatment is at least two weeks, but more often this mixture is required to be instilled for at least 21 days.
Hydrogen peroxide
Of course peroxide is medicines, but in "folk veterinary medicine" it is used much more often. They just use it not for treatment, but for cleaning the ear before making the main drug:
- Only 3% hydrogen peroxide solution should be used.
- It is applied to cotton swabs or discs and carefully (but gently) wipe the inner surface of the auricles and ear passages.
However, in mild cases of otodectosis, regular treatment helps to cope with ticks, but at the same time, the treatment period is extended to several weeks and there is no guarantee that the development of the disease can be stopped in time.
Prevention of ear mites
Of course, it is impossible to prevent infection with a 100% guarantee, but it is still quite possible to reduce its probability. Prevention in this case is performed as follows:
- The less often a dog is outside and in contact with its homeless relatives, the less likely it is to be infected (and not just with an ear mite).
- From time to time (once a week) it is useful to treat the pet's ears with hydrogen peroxide, cleaning them from contamination. The less comfortable the habitat, the worse it will be for ticks (if they still get into the dog's ears).
Otodectosis in a dog
Otodectosis or ear scabies- a chronic parasitic disease caused by microscopic scabies mites, skin-eaters.
In addition to dogs, ear scabies most commonly affects cats, ferrets, and fur-bearing animals (arctic fox, sable, mink, fox, rabbits). Man, carnivorous scabies, is not infected.
What is this otodectosis?
An insect has five stages of development:
- Larva
- Nymph, first stage of development (protonymph)
- Nymph, second stage (thelonymph)
- Adult insect (imago)
Otodectes cynotis under a microscope
The main cause of ear mite infection in a dog occurs when sick animals come into direct contact with healthy ones, for example, on a walk, when communicating with homeless animals, which most often become the source of the spread of the disease.
ear mite
Inflammatory exudate, mite feces, dead skin cells, dust and earwax mix and dry out, forming brown scabs on the surface of the skin. Dried crusts accumulate in the lumen of the external auditory canal, contributing to blockage and the accumulation of inflammatory effusion in the auditory canal.
In such cases, perforation of the tympanic membrane may occur, inflammatory process, passes, in continuation, to the middle, and then to the inner ear of the dog.
In the most advanced cases, if left untreated, inflammation passes to the lining of the brain, meningitis develops, and the animal dies.
Symptoms of otodectosis
Of course, the veterinarian must make the final diagnosis to the animal. But for some external manifestations and the symptoms of ear scabies and the dog owners themselves can guess that she has otodectosis:
- Anxiety
- Congestion in the ears
The animal scratches the ear, or rubs it against various objects. On the inner skin surface of the auricle, scratches appear, and on the outer, a crust forms at the base of the ear, from constant scratching
The dog shakes its head and keeps its head tilted to its side towards the ear infested with mites.
Accumulation on inside auricle and in the lumen of the external auditory meatus crusts, dirty brown.
In cases of complications, symptoms appear:
- Otitis (inflammation in the middle ear) - discharge from the ear, fever, unpleasant smell from the auricle
- Labyrinthitis (inflammation of the inner ear) - disorders in the coordination of movements are added to the symptoms of otitis media, the dog keeps its head wrapped 90-120 degrees;
- Meningitis - whirlwind, seizures and convulsions.
Diagnostics
Do not rely on your own strength. Self-treatment otodectosis, can lead to serious negative consequences for an animal.
Proper Treatment
Dog ear cleaning
IN initial stage when there are no symptoms of otitis, the disease is easily treated. For treatment, it is enough to destroy ticks. For this purpose, insecticidal preparations are prescribed, made on the basis of the same substances that are used in the treatment of skin scabies in animals.
Drugs used to treat otodectosis may be local action, in the form of drops, sprays and ointments, or generally, in the form of injections. As part of drops and sprays used to treat otodectosis, as the main active substance, one of the insectoacaracidal agents is included.
In addition, the composition of the drugs may include anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, antiallergic and antiseptic drugs.
Drugs used to treat otodectosis in dogs:
Drops: "Bars", " Otoferonol Gold”,“ Oritsin ”,“ Dekta ”, etc.;
Sprays: "Ivermek", "Acrosol", etc.;
Ointments: sulfur-tar and birch tar;
Injectables: Ivermek 1%, Otodectin.
Before using acaricidal agents, it is necessary to clean the auricles as best as possible from accumulated scabs. To do this, they are moistened and softened with one of the antiseptic agents ( boric acid, hydrogen peroxide, furacilin solution, ear lotions), preventing fluid from leaking into the ear canal.
Important: you need to remember that all insecticidal preparations are potent agents and can be dangerous, not only for animals, but also for people. The use of otodectosis agents requires strict adherence to the order of application and dosage, according to the instructions and taking into account the weight of the animal.
Prevention
Related videos
Dog ear cleaning
