Ear Mites in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

As many dog parents know, any unusual sound from their pup will jolt them right out of the deepest sleep. The worst is when you hear a gagging sound and find your dog puking all over the duvet. But other sounds can jar us out of any dream. 

For instance, no one wants to be woken up during the night with the thump, thump, thump, flap sound of their dog constantly scratching their ears and shaking their head. Dogs can have itchy, irritated ears for many reasons, and ear mites commonly cause problems. Knowing more about what ear mites are, the symptoms they cause, the ways they’re transmitted, and how to treat them can help you ensure your dog stays free of these tiny pests. 

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What are ear mites?

Ear mites are tiny arthropods that live, lay eggs, and grow on the surface of the ear canal. They feed on skin cells and discharge from the ears. Adult female mites are just under half a millimeter in length and may be barely visible to the naked eye. 

Symptoms of ear mites in dogs

When a dog has ear mites, they can be very uncomfortable. Symptoms can vary, but here are a few of the most common ones:

• Excessive scratching of the ears or head

• Head shaking or tilting

• Redness or inflammation in the ear canal

• Dark, crumbly discharge that resembles coffee grounds

• Strong odor coming from the ears

• Scabs or hair loss around the ears due to scratching

• Behavioral changes, such as irritability or lethargy

If early treatment is not sought, the infestation can become quite severe. The constant scratching and inflammation can lead to more serious conditions, such as hematomas or infections. It’s essential to recognize the early signs and seek treatment right away.

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Causes of ear mites in dogs

Ear mite infestations are caused by the spread of the Otodectes cynotis mite from animal to animal. This is why ear mite infestations are also known as otodectic mange. These tiny parasites irritate the skin and ear canals as they feed, resulting in some annoying symptoms for your dog.

How veterinarians diagnose ear mites in dogs

While it’s true that you can see dark debris and discharge in your dog’s ear, an accurate diagnosis requires a vet visit. Here’s how a veterinarian typically diagnoses ear mites.

1. Physical examination: The vet will visually inspect your dog’s ears using an otoscope. Although the mites are difficult to see, the dark debris and red inflammation may indicate their presence.

2. Microscopic examination: A small sample of ear debris is collected with a cotton swab, placed on a slide, and examined under a microscope. This is the most reliable way to identify live mites or eggs.

3. Differential diagnosis: Other ear issues, such as bacterial or yeast infections, can mimic the symptoms of ear mites. Your vet may perform additional tests to rule out these conditions and ensure an accurate diagnosis.

By performing these tests, your veterinarian can definitively understand your dog’s condition. Knowing the correct diagnosis is necessary to treat the condition properly and help relieve your dog’s discomfort quickly and effectively.

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How do you treat ear mites in dogs?

Once ear mites are diagnosed, your veterinarian will prescribe treatment to clear the infestation. This treatment will vary based on your dog’s health history and the presence of any secondary problems, such as a bacterial ear infection or ruptured eardrum.

There are many different medications, both topical and oral, that can treat ear mites. The classic treatment used to be an anti-parasitic applied in the ears. This worked, but was often challenging to do in dogs with very itchy, irritated ears. Fortunately, newer flea and tick medications that are much easier to administer have also been shown to be effective against ear mites. Spot-on products, such as selamectin (Revolution) and imidacloprid and moxidectin (Advantage Multi), have been successful in clearing infestations. Oral products — such as flurlaner (Bravecto, which also has a spot-on formula), afoxolaner (NexGard), and sarolaner (Simparica) — are also great at clearing ear mites and are very easy to administer.

Your veterinarian may recommend cleaning the ears to help remove debris, which can allow medications to penetrate better. However, you should only do this with your vet’s guidance — putting cleaning solutions into canine ears with damage deep in the canal can cause serious problems. A topical medication to control a bacterial or yeast infection may be needed as well if your vet determines a secondary infection is present.

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Recovery and management of ear mites in dogs

It won’t take long for your dog’s ear to feel better and recover from those nasty mites. All it requires is the correct diagnosis and treatment. However, the healing process depends on several factors:

• Severity of the infestation

• Presence of secondary infections

• The dog’s overall health and immune response

• Consistency of treatment

During recovery, your dog’s ears may still appear red or inflamed. Your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory or soothing ear drops to reduce discomfort and promote healing.

How do I prevent ear mites in dogs?

A surefire way to prevent ear mites in your dog is to keep them away from other animals with ear mites. This also means that if they have ear mites, you should keep them away from other animals until given the all-clear by your vet. Pet parents need to work together to prevent the spread of these nasty little bugs.

While you could check the ears of each dog at the park for mites before you let your precious baby play with them, this isn’t practical. Instead, trust a monthly flea and tick medication to keep ear mites at bay. 

If you find ear mites in even one pet at home, it’s important to treat all your pets at the same time. This includes cats and ferrets, because they can be affected as well. Ear mites can spread back and forth easily if all pets don’t receive treatment at the same time.

Observing your dog’s ears for changes and cleaning them regularly can alert you to any issues early and help mitigate an infestation before it becomes a bigger issue.

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Bottom line

• Ear mites are nasty little pests that result in itchy, waxy, and unhappy ears for your dog.

• Fortunately, your vet can diagnose them quickly. 

• Easy-to-administer treatments will get your dog feeling great again quickly.

FAQs

How do I know if my dog has ear mites?

If your dog is showing any signs of ear discomfort or discharge, take them to your vet for testing to see if mites are present.

How to treat ear mites in dogs?

Ear mites can be treated with a variety of topical or oral medications. Many of these medications are the same ones your dog should be on for flea and tick prevention.

What are the symptoms of ear mites in dogs?

Ear mites can cause dark ear discharge, itchy ears, head shaking, redness of the ears, crusty skin around the ears, or a foul odor from the ears.

Can ear mites make a dog deaf?

An ear mite infestation by itself should not be able to make a dog deaf. The buildup of debris in the ear canals may cause dull hearing in some dogs, but this should resolve once the ears are cleaned. Some dogs with severe or untreated ear mites can develop ear infections that invade the deep parts of the ear. These deep infections can result in deafness, head tilt, or other neurological issues.

What causes ear mites in dogs?

Ear mites are arthropods called Otodectes cynotis. These tiny pests live in a dog’s ear canals and cause irritation and discomfort.

How do I prevent ear mites in dogs?

Many flea and tick preventatives will kill ear mites. But avoiding contact with animals infested with ear mites is the best way to keep your dog from getting them.

What are the potential complications of ear mites?

The most common complication from ear mites is irritation and a secondary infection within the ear canal. If treated promptly, these problems should stay in the external part of the ear canal and resolve quickly with treatment. Some dogs with severe infestations can get mites on other areas of their body, most commonly on their head and paws. Although the mites don’t thrive in these areas, dogs can still develop crusty skin lesions in these spots.

References

• Arther, R.G., et al. “Clinical Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of 10% Imidacloprid+2.5% Moxidectin Topical Solution for the Treatment of Ear Mite (Otodectes Cynotis) Infestations in Dogs.” Veterinary Parasitology, vol. 210, no. 1-2, May 2015, pp. 64–68, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.02.022. 

• Becskei, Csilla, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Sarolaner in the Treatment of Canine Ear Mite Infestation Caused by Otodectes Cynotis : A Non-Inferiority Study.” Veterinary Dermatology, vol. 29, no. 2, 1 Feb. 2018, pp. 100-e39, https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12521.

• Little, Susan, and Kathryn Duncan. “Ear Mites: Uncovering, Treating, and Preventing Infestations.” Today’s Veterinary Practice, 22 June 2021, todaysveterinarypractice.com/parasitology/ear-mites-uncovering-treating-and-preventing-infestations.

• ‌“Online Gallery: A Close-up on Ear Mites.” Cliniciansbrief.com, 28 Feb. 2023, www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/online-gallery-close-ear-mites.