How to Treat Ear Mites in Your Pet

Ear mites (otodectes cynotis) are common to most pets - especially strays. Symptoms include scratching, shaking of the head and a reddish brown or black waxy buildup in the ears. Here are a few steps to help relieve your pet of ear mites.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mite Medications For Pets
• Cotton Swabs
• Medicine Droppers
• Mineral Oils
• Cotton Swabs
• Flea Shampoos
• Flea shampoos

1. Confirm with your veterinarian that your pet has ear mites.

2. Use a small dropper with lukewarm mineral oil to lightly coat the inside of the ear. After several hours, the waxy buildup should soften so that you can clean out the ear with a cotton ball.

3. Ask your veterinarian about prescription insecticide or use an over-the-counter brand - these are fine for most cases. Use the product as directed.

4. Be patient and thorough. Treatments can take up to four weeks - enough time to eliminate any eggs that might hatch.

5. Give your pet mild flea baths during the treatment period to squelch any wayward mites.

6. Consult with your vet about more aggressive medication for a particularly stubborn case.

7. Treat all the animals in the household at the same time because the mites will relocate to new hosts.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your pet's ears for a strong rancid smell. This could indicate an ear infection. Ask your vet for a medication that will treat the infection and eliminate ear mites.
• If you don't want to use traditional medications, dab mineral oil in your pet's ears (after they have been cleaned) with a cotton swab, twice a week for a month.
• Consider using an anti-yeast medication, since secondary yeast infections are commonly found with ear mite infestations.

Who Can Help Sponsored

[nycandre]

on 4/19/2009 Best remedy is based on borax and hydrogen peroxide, all very safe and inexpensive (vets and chem cos, there are better ways to use your talents).More details and a photo of my cat that I successfully cured are at " http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycandre/1459080973/ "

[djandbren]

on 10/4/2008 we were given revolution for our chihuahua which has short hair and had very few fleas after using this product our dog is eat up with fleas now and it seems like her hair is falling out some, I do not recommend this product at all especially for the price and concequences we returned ours to the vet for a refund. d in alabama

[LeilasMom]

on 8/9/2008 Please do the research and be sure your dog is a good candidate for Revolution. It may have deadly side effects.

http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/revolution.html

on 11/22/2005 One dose of Revolution takes care of ear mites, fleas and worms. This is a vast improvement to doctoring the ears for weeks, and it works. Get Revolution from your vet.

on 11/22/2005 Have the vet give mite baths to your pet. They are more experienced and would do a more thorough job.