Ear mite in dogs

With the situation when a calm and obedient pet begins to behave strangely, refusing food, shaking his head and trying to scratch his ears with his paws or about objects in the house, many dog ​​owners came across. Sometimes the owner guesses the reason for such behavior only when bloody wounds form in the dog from constant scratching. Such symptoms are evidence of otodectosis, a disease referred to as an ear tick in dogs.

About the parasite

Otodectosis in dogs is caused by an ear tick, a representative of the subclass of arthropods of the arachnid class, which reproduces in a warm, humid environment. It is for this reason that the pest lives in the ear canal of dogs, using particles of the epidermis, earwax and even animal blood for food.

The oval-shaped parasite has a light beige color, resembling a crab outwardly. The length of his body is about 0.5 mm.

On a note!

Eating lymph, he gnaws a lot of moves on the inner side of the ear. In them, the female tick ear lays eggs, of which adult individuals appear after 18-25 days.

In the absence of favorable conditions, the parasite remains viable for 22 days. In the environment at a temperature of 3-7 degrees and high humidity lives up to 25 days. Low temperatures are detrimental to a small creature: at temperatures below -3 degrees, the pest dies within 5 days (what the parasite looks like can be seen in the picture below).

Symptoms of otodectosis

The parasite that has settled on the dog’s body very soon makes itself felt. You can recognize an ear tick in a dog by the following criteria:

• the presence of itching and dark discharge from the auricle, resulting in the formation of thick crusts drying in the folds of the ear of the ear;
• the appearance of an unpleasant odor;
• skin lesions and hair loss on the back of the ear;
• increased release of sulfur masses;
• the pet reflexively bows its head due to damage to the inner ear;
• refusal of food.

A photo of the ear tick in dogs is presented below.

Important!

Having discovered the above signs of an ear tick, it is necessary to urgently begin treatment, since the consequences of otodectosis can be quite dangerous. The disease in an advanced stage becomes not only the cause of the destruction of the eardrum and deafness, but also contributes to the development of meningitis, which often leads to death.

Causes of infection

Infection with otodectosis occurs in various ways:

• In contact with a sick animal. Moreover, the distributors of the ear tick are not only dogs, but also cats.
• Puppies from a bitch may also become infected with the parasite;
• When using contaminated items intended for grooming dogs.
• The host himself can become a carrier of the parasite, bringing it to his house on his clothes.

How to determine that a tick has settled in a dog’s ear

The surefire way to determine the ear tick in a dog is to examine the ear canals. It is enough to clean the ear canal with a cotton swab by applying the contents to a cloth or sheet of paper. Doubts about the infection will not arise when detecting small gray moving dots or dark inclusions, which are the products of the parasites. However, it is not always possible to consider what an ear tick looks like in dogs with a magnifying glass, so only a veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis by examining the ear discharge under a microscope.

Important!

Do not self-medicate. It is preferable to consult a specialist, as otodectosis can lead not only to hearing loss, but also cause the death of a pet.

How and how to treat ear ticks in dogs

After confirmation of the analysis, treatment of an ear tick in dogs is prescribed at home. For this, special drops and ointments are usually used.

The first stage of treatment is cleaning the ears of purulent secretions, dried crusts and arthropod vital products. The success of the whole process depends on the quality of these actions. It is better to use a cotton swab for this, the soft part of which is saturated with hydrogen peroxide. After abundantly wetting the tick-infected area, it is necessary to wait until the dirt and crusts get wet. Only then should they be carefully removed. Otherwise, the dog will experience pain and a feeling of itching, as a result of which it will not allow to carry out a similar procedure the next time.

Important!

Both ears of the dog should be treated, even if the symptoms of the disease are present in only one auricle. And to use for this you need a separate cotton swab.

After cleaning the ears, medicines prescribed by the veterinarian are used. You can not reduce the duration of their use, even with a noticeable decrease in the manifestations of otodectosis. After all, the medicine should destroy not only adults, but also parasites in the egg stage. Moreover, in order to avoid the occurrence of relapses, not only the area of ​​the ears, but also other affected areas of the skin of the dog is subject to treatment. A parasite-infected pet is isolated from the rest of the animals until its full recovery.

On a note!

Do not remove the ear tick yourself because the parasite is small enough and cannot be extracted mechanically. It is enough for the dog to start using the preparations prescribed by the specialist and the pest will leave its victim itself.

Otodin

To clean the ears, veterinarians recommend using Otodin Lotion, which has established itself as a preventive and hygienic product.

1. 2-3 drops are injected into the ear opening, distributing the composition over the auricle with light massaging movements.
2. After a few minutes, the remnants of the lotion mixed with ear secretions are removed with a cotton swab, disc or swab.
3. After 20 minutes, at the end of the cleansing procedure, a medication is used.

Medications

Medicines designed to combat the ear tick come in different forms: in the form of drops, ointments, gels and aerosols. They are used in accordance with the instructions or recommendations of a veterinarian.

Amit Forte

Acaricidal agent for dogs and cats with a wide spectrum of action. It is a colorless or yellowish tint liquid that is produced in vials or droppers.

The basis of the drug is fipronil - a toxic component that is active against both adult parasites and their larvae. When applying the composition, the ingredient accumulates in the sebaceous glands of the animal, as well as in the hair follicles and epidermis, affecting ticks for a long time. Antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic action provides diphenhydramine, the development of full nymphs and pupae is prevented by diflubenzuron.

Amit is applied to the affected pre-cleaned areas at the rate of 0.5 ml per 1 kg of pet weight. The composition is distributed in an even layer, taking into account the capture of healthy skin (up to 1 cm). Processing is done from 2 to 5 times with a break of 5-7 days.

Important!

The use of the drug is not recommended for puppies and kittens up to 2 months old, nursing and pregnant females, as well as animals weakened or sick with infectious diseases.

The cost of Amit Forte dropper bottle (20 ml) is about 250 rubles.

Decta

Drops for dogs from an ear tick for external use based on amitraz, chloramphenicol and chloramphenicol. The combined drug has a detrimental effect on various types of ticks, including representatives of Otodectes cynotis. Available in the form of a uniform, oily yellow-brown liquid.

To remove the ear tick, 3 to 5 drops are dripped into each ear of the dog, distributing the oily composition in massaging movements. The duration of treatment is 2-3 procedures with an interval of 3-5 days. If necessary, the treatment is repeated until the pet is completely clinically cured, which is confirmed by two negative results of acarological studies.

Taking the drug is contraindicated in females during lactation and pregnancy, pets up to a month old, as well as in weakened animals. A bottle of Dekt (10 ml) costs about 130 rubles.

Feedback

Decta is a unique tool. The veterinarian prescribed the drops to my dog ​​when he diagnosed the ear tick. Spent 2 procedures, and all symptoms of infection disappeared. I advise. A relatively inexpensive and very effective tool.

Natalya, Tula

Leopard

Drops for the treatment of ear mites in dogs. They have acaricidal, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects. The active substance is diazinon.
The composition is applied 3-5 drops in each ear opening. Processing is carried out twice with a five-day interval. If necessary, repeat the treatment.

Important!

The drug is contraindicated in case of damage to the eardrum, as well as animals with hypersensitivity to the components of the product.

Are standing ear drops leopard (20 ml) within 130 rubles.

Feedback

Drops of Bars have more than once helped my pet out: they treated otitis media and got rid of ear mites. Very effective remedy. Recommend.

Polina, Krasnoyarsk

Acaromectin

An ear tick remedy in dogs in the form of a spray. The composition, the active substance of which is ivermectin, blocks the passage of nerve impulses, which causes paralysis, and subsequently the death of parasites. It is enough to spray the inner surface of the auricle twice with an interval of 8-10 days.

Despite the fact that the composition has a low concentration of toxicity, it is not recommended to use it for weakened, depleted and sick animals with infectious diseases. The price of a 25 ml bottle is about 135 rubles.

Otodectin

A cure for an ear tick in dogs, presented as an injectable solution. The anti-parasitic drug based on ivermectin has a wide spectrum of action and is intended for the treatment of carnivores. It is also used in the treatment of ear mites in dogs.

The injection solution is injected subcutaneously in the forearm or in the back of the shoulder joint at the rate of 0.2 ml per 1 kg of body weight. The drug is contraindicated in weakened and depleted animals, puppies under two months of age.

Important!

Due to the increased breed sensitivity to avermectin compounds, the following breeds should be used with caution when using an injection solution: collie, bobtail, sheltie, boxer.

The cost of the bottle of Otodectin (5 ml) is in the range of 60-80 rubles.

Feedback

My dog ​​had to deal with an ear tick last summer. Only two injections of Otodectin, and there were no parasites. Quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, the dog did not cause any “side effects”. Recommend.

Roman, Arkhangelsk

Referendum

Having found a tick in a dog on the ear, Oridermil can also be used - an ointment that has antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents.
The active components in it are: permitrin, nystatin, lidocaine, neomycin sulfate, triamcinolone acetonide.

If the disease is accompanied by a fungal or bacterial infection, the composition is applied 1 time per day for a week, if necessary, the treatment is repeated after 7 days. At the initial stage of the disease, the drug is used twice with an interval of 5-7 days, if necessary, the treatment is repeated after 1-2 weeks.

Contraindications is a violation of the eardrum, the presence of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, the period of pregnancy and lactation, and also weight less than 1.5 kg.

Important!

When using the ointment, you can not drink, eat or smoke. It is necessary to limit the contact of the treated pet with young children and other animals.

It costs Ordermil ointment in a tube (10 g) in the region of 520-550 rubles.

Recipes from the people

In the early stages of the disease, when dense crusts have not yet appeared in the ears of the dog, and there is only a slight pollution, you can use folk remedies.

Green tea

It is not always possible to get into the ear of a dog that is infected with an ear tick, as the pet experiences great discomfort. An infusion of green tea, which is prepared at the rate of 2 tsp, will help relieve itching and the inflammatory process. in a glass of boiling water. It is necessary to wash the ears of the pet daily for a month and you will not have to resort to drug therapy.

Almond oil

Otodectosis can also be treated with almond oil. It contributes not only to the healing of inflamed wounds, but also effectively prevents the further spread of pests. It is necessary to drip 1-2 drops daily in the dog’s ears until all the symptoms of the disease disappear.

Feedback

Despite the development of medicine, or rather the variety of medicines that veterinary medicine offers today, I try to do without chemistry. I use black tea, the infusion of which I regularly clean my dog’s ears, and as a result we don’t have any problems, such as an ear tick.

Veronika, Melitopol

Iodine oil solution

You can also be treated for an ear tick with an iodine-oil solution, which is prepared at the rate of 1 tsp. iodine for 4 tsp sunflower oil. The resulting mixture is used for daily treatment of the ears of the dog.

On a note!

You should not try to get a cotton swab deep into the ear canal, this can cause damage to the eardrum.

Useful Tips

Know the symptoms and treatment of ear mites in dogs should each owner of a four-friend. However, do not forget that any disease is easier to prevent than subsequently fight it. It is enough to follow simple rules:

1. It is advisable to minimize pet contact with street animals.
2. Regularly inspecting the dog for parasites, since getting rid of the parasitic fauna at the initial stage of infection will not be a particular problem.
3. As preventive measures use tick remedies (shampoos, tablets, sprayslotions drops and collars) that protect your pet from pest attacks.