Ear Mites. A cause of dog ear infections!
Overview - Ear mites are tiny infectious organisms resembling microscopic ticks. The mite can just barely be seen as a small white dot with the naked eye, but it usually must be detected by examination of a sample of ear wax under a microscope.
Infection usually produces a characteristic dry black ear discharge commonly said to resemble coffee grounds. Because of the classical appearance of this discharge, infection is often diagnosed based on the presence of such discharge though without visual confirmation of the mite under the microscope, it is possible to be led astray. The discharge is composed of ear wax, blood, inflammatory biochemicals, and ear mites themselves.
Ear mites do not burrow as some mites do but live within the ear canal.
Parasite target - ears
Ear Mite Symptoms - Ear mites can cause intense irritation of the ear canal. Signs of ear mite infestation include excessive head shaking and scratching of the ears. Your pet may scratch to the point that it creates bleeding sores around its ears.
A brown or black ear discharge is common. If left untreated, bacterial infections from scratching may lead to abscesses or hematomas. Severe cases of untreated canine ear mites can also lead to permanent damage to the ear canal and hearing loss or deafness.
Ear Mite Treatment - One of the biggest causes of treatment failure is not removing the crusty crude before applying the medication. Every bit must be removed from the ear canal before any medication will work.
This is best accomplished by gently flushing the ear canal using an ear bulb (available from drug stores). Mix up a solution of warm water and liquid dishwashing detergent (just enough detergent to slightly color the water) and fill the ear bulb.
The tip of the bulb is held loosely in the ear and the water/soap solution is gently squeezed in allowing it to bubble out carrying the debris (Never block the free passage of the solution out of the ear or you could rupture the ear drum).
This process is repeated three or four times until the ears are clean. The ears are then rinsed with warm, clear water and dried. Q-tips are not recommended because they carry the dirtiest contamination deeper into the canal making the infection worse.
In multiple pet households it is important to treat all the pets and to clean the environment, considering the use of premise control insecticides in persistent cases. Ear mites are susceptible to many medications, including pyrethrins, rotenone, fibronil, thiabendazole and ivermectins. It is necessary to treat for at least three to four weeks in most instances to be sure to kill the adult mites and any eggs that may hatch later.
Ear Care from 1-800-PetMeds
Source: Medication information from vetinfo4dogs
Ear Mite Prevention - You can prevent ear mites by drying your pet's ears after bathing, checking his ears for foreign matter and promptly visiting the veterinarian at the first sign of trouble.
Use cotton balls or gauze to get into the ear canal. Never use a cotton swab to clean the ear canal. The animal may jump and you could poke through the ear drum.
Special ear-cleaning solutions are available from veterinary facilities, and the veterinarian or technician can show you how to correctly clean your pet's ears.