Ear Mites Bothering Your Animal
Ear mites are a common occurrence in dogs, cats, and other small furry animals. They are tiny white bugs that find their way into the ear canal where they set up camp.
It is not common to find an infection of this type in humans. If it is suspected that you may have mites, visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Luckily if you do, they do not burrow and instead stay in the ear canal and feed off wax and skin oil.
Animals contract these mites through direct contact with another animal that already has the infection. This infection is very quickly spread so even brief contact can result in a transfer. Animals who live or go outdoors are the most likely to become infected. An untreated case of ear mites will lead to other skin infections, and eventual deafness.
The symptoms are quite recognizable. The most commonly recognized feature is the appearance of dark and crumbly material in the ears. A close look may even result in finding the small white mites themselves amongst the debris. Incessant scratching, head shaking, imbalance, and the appearance of sores are other signs of this infection.
If your animal does not go outdoors, and has not had contact with other animals but still shows some or all of these symptoms, they most likely are suffering from something else and should not be put through what will turn out to be an ineffective treatment. A visit to the vet is recommended to discover the cause of the symptoms. Be wary if your animal did not have contact with another animal that could have given them the infection, and the vet diagnoses ear mites.
The infection is treated relatively simply. The vet can provide you with an anti-parasitic treatment that will kill the mites. The ears should be cleaned by removing any debris and then the treatment should be applied. There is also an oral and an injection treatment available.
Topical treatments that are available over-the-counter can also be found. These tend to be of an older variety and take much longer to work. They do not kill incubating mites and so these treatments must last at least 21 days, the entire life cycle of the insect. In contrast, topical treatments gotten through prescription only take up to ten days, and there are also several one day treatment options via this route.
It is important that treatment follows discovery relatively quickly. Swift action will prevent further complications and more expensive treatments.
Darn those mean old ear mites! They will not stop biting. Wait a second, with the right treatment for ear mites, you can put a stop to them. Listen to your pet and get help.
