Ear mites? (dog)

[Richard]

We've got 4 dogs that are primarily indoor dogs. Another who's primarily outdoor. We take them out several times a day and for walks on the farm usually once a day if not twice (3 on leash & letting 1 run free, rotating who gets to run free as we are out)


Two of the dogs have recently taken to doing the head shake where their ears go flapity flapity flap. Then... few minutes later, same thing, few minutes later....same thing.

I'm beginning to think two of them (and the others by being in close proxmity) might have ear mites and I'm wondering if they DO, is that something Advantix is supposed to take care of (up to date on applications) and if it doesn't take care of it, is that a Vet visit and perscription or can I get something for them without a vet visit?

I'm not 100% that it's mites because only 2 of the 4 of them are doing the ear flap (that I've currently noticed). one of them who is NOT flapping his ears did have mites a couple of years ago and it's my vague memory as to how HE acted then, that is making me wonder about mites today.

 

[KaiB]

Richard, my best advice would be to get 'em to your Vet.

Often there may be an infection involved with the mites...you'll want to treat that.

He will give you an irrigation cleanser, which, later on, can also be used to clean ears on a regular basis.

I would stay away from home remedies 'till you have a handle on all of this.

 

[zzvyb6]

I support the Vet visit. My 4 dogs are same action: indoor but outdoors for walks. I take them swimming a lot and 2 have smaller ear canals, so their ear canal doesn't dry. When one (Jake) starts licking the other's ears, they can get an ear infection. One may get fungus, one may get bacteria. Mick has been the "most swimming" dog, and has the most susceptability to it. He's taking pills, ear drops and has a swimming restriction right now. If you don't get it treated, they can permanently loose their hearing. There are some over-the-counter ear drops (Otomax) that work for bacteria, not many for fungus. There are some sinus drops for human sinus fungus that I have been tempted to try, but right now its a Vet treatment plan.

If they catch rabbits, chipmunks or squirrels, they can get mites from those critters. Not sure how we treated mites in one of my now passed dogs. She loved to catch woodchucks and had a mite problem all the time.

Take care of them. They live for the day.

 

[hazmat]

mites are an insect - could also be a yeast or bacterial infection. Go to your vet.

 

[KaiB]

yep...

 

[Richard]

Ok...I'll get them to vet. or at least one of them and presume it to be a 'herd' problem if indeed it is an issue.

 

[Richard]

btw could it simply be fleas?

 

[schmism]

unlikely to be flees... flees youll see the dogs scraching or they will be sitting there minding there own bisness then all of suden snap around and try to bite themselves trying to eat the flea that just bit them.

flea's like the head but shouldnt cause them to shake ears like that... thats often ear mites yes.

they should be able to be seen if you look deep inside, like dust spots if i remember what my vet told me.

 

[bamatoolmaker]

when our dogs got ear mites they would rub the hair off the tops of their ears trying to scratch.One thing a vet told me to try was to put a couple of drops of olive oil in their ears, if they settle down for a little while thats your problem and you can get medication without prescription.

 

[wushaw]

I use this stuff I get from the vet to clean my dogs ears and it kills whatever mites they may get. It is like a peroxide solution. Both of mine swim on a regular basis except in the winter time.