Have you noticed your dog scratching and shaking their head more than usual? The culprit might be an almost invisible insect causing irritation and making your dear pet friend extremely uncomfortable.
Dog ear mites are unfortunately a common thing in the canine world. Find out what to do when they choose your dog as their host.
What are ear mites?
What are the symptoms of ear mites in dogs?
Ear mites are irritable little creatures, so one of the first symptoms of dog ear mites will be an intense itch. You will notice your pup shaking their head or rubbing their ear against the carpet.
The symptoms of ear mites in dogs typically include:
- Ear scratching
- Head shaking
- Dark discharge from the affected ear
- Skin lesions around the ear
However, these symptoms are common for many parasitic infections, so the best thing to do before starting any sort of treatment is to book an appointment with your vet to rule out other possible conditions.
What causes ear mites in dogs?
Dogs will usually pick up ear mites from another pet. It can be another dog or cat, and mites can pass very quickly between animals. They can only live in the environment for a limited time and with such a small window of time at their disposal, they’re quick find an unsuspecting dog to claim as their host.