Ear mites are small bugs that generally live and feed in an animals ears.  They can spread to other areas of the body in severe infestations, but are usually confined to the ear area.  Luckily ear mites don't survive long off of the host animal, so they're relatively easy to control in the environment. 

   There are several types of mites that can live in the dog's ears, but treatment is the same for all types.  If your dog/puppy gets ear mites, you will most likely need to treat all animals in the home as ear mites will quickly spread between all of your pets.  Besides dogs, ear mite infestations can affect cats, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, mice and rats.   Humans are NOT at risk for "catching" ear mites from their pets.

   Dogs with an ear mite infestation will scratch around their head/ears and may shake their heads.  The more sever the mite infestation, the more scratching and shaking you will see.   You may or may not see the dog scratch other affected areas if the mites spread to other parts of the body.  Another sign of ear mites is a buildup of debris (dried blood) within the ear canal.  This debris will look rather like coffee grounds.  If you clean your dog's ears and notice that more debris appears again within a day or two, then your dog probably has ear mites.  This debris can be similar to the debris generated by a bacterial and/or yeast infection, so you need to confirm the presence of mites to be sure you are correctly treating your dog's ears.  This will most likely mean you need to take a trip to see your veterinarian. 

   In some instances, it's possible for you to confirm the presence of mites in your dog's ears.  If your dog has a significant collection of debris in the ears, it may be possible to see the mites within this debris.  To check for mites, use a Q-tip to swipe as much debris as possible from the ear canal.  Place the q-tip and debris on a dark piece of paper.  Ear mites will appear as VERY small moving white dots.  You can use a magnifying glass or microscope to help identify the presence of mites.

   Keep in mind that even if you actually do see mites, your dog could have an ear infection in addition to an ear mite infestation.  Changes in the ear environment from an ear mite infestation often lead to ear infections.  So, even if you confirm there are mites in your dog's ears, a trip to the vet's is probably in order to be sure there are no other problems that need to be addressed. 

   While not a life-threatening emergency, ear mites are annoying and uncomfortable for your pet.  They are commonly seen in many animals and can be extremely tough to get rid of permanently.  This is due, in part, to the fact that the affected animals must be treated repeatedly (over a significant period of time) to kill not only the adult mites but all newly hatched mites as well.  Treatment for ear mites must be continued until there is no further evidence of infestation for at least 2 weeks.  

   If you live close to other infested animals that are untreated (the neighbor's dog) or if your dog is repeatedly in contact with stray dogs or cats, then it can be difficult to permanently solve this problem.   Untreated, infested dogs that come to visit or that your dog encounters/plays with at the vet's, in obedience classes or while out walking can all pass mites to your dog.   Even if you have repeatedly treated your dog for this problem, it's important to treat this issue as often as necessary because untreated mite infestations can damage the ear eardrum and/or the ear canals and can cause permanent hearing loss.

   There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription ear treatments to kill ear mites.  These products usually contain a pyrethrin insecticide.   Using an insecticide is the only way to successfully treat an ear mite problem.  If you are looking for a product to treat your dog at home, be sure to get the product with the highest percentage of insecticide.   Keep in mind however, that no amount of insecticide will solve the problem if the product is not applied correctly or for the necessary length of time.  Additionally, you must clean the ears well to be sure that the treatment gets down into the ear to all the mites that are hiding in the ear debris and within the canal.

   Veterinary treatment may include the use of a topical ear product named Tresaderm.  This product contains an antibiotic which may help in mite cases with a secondary bacterial infection.  It also has a cortisone derivative that is beneficial for inflammation and thiabendazole to kill yeasts and mites. This product and can also kill developing mite eggs which reduces the length of time necessary for successful treatment.  Treatment is generally administered for 10-14 days.

   The heartworm/flea/tick preventative "Revolution" (selamectin) is promoted as being able to prevent ear mite infestation and is simple to use since, with one application a month, it takes care of this and several other pests as well.  However, an existing ear mite infestation must be treated with another product to immediately solve the problem.  Revolution would eventually resolve the issue, but it would take 2-3 months of treatment to do so without spot treating the ears themselves.  Some veterinarians also use "Frontline" (Fipronil) to treat ear mites. 

   Depending on the product used, treatment may last for two to four weeks.  Follow your vet's or the label directions carefully and for the recommended length of time.  Since some ear mites may live on other portions of the dog's body, you may need to treat additional areas of your pet.  These areas can include the feet and tail.  Personally, I think incorporating an all-over-the-body treatment at least once a week during ear mite treatment helps control and resolve this issue faster. 

   Products that are designed to kill fleas and ticks (sprays, dips, and shampoos) and which contain an insecticide will effectively kill mites.   I recommend Adams Flea and Tick Mist as a spot treatment or Adams Flea and Tick shampoo or dip for all-over body treatment.  If you use a dip or shampoo to treat for mites on the body, the product must be allowed to sit on the dog for 10 minutes before it is rinsed or towel-dried off of the animal.  Follow label directions, being sure that the dog is wet and soapy all over and all the way to the skin.  Remember to treat all pets simultaneously since mites are easily transferred between pets and mites from an untreated house mate can re-infest a treated dog. 

   The following is offered for informational purposes only.  You should always discuss any treatment or care of your pet with your veterinarian.  I am not a veterinarian and make no claims or guarantees as to the usefulness or appropriateness of this information.

   To treat ear mites:

• IVERMECTIN:

1. Mix 1 part injectable ivermectin with 20 parts propylene glycol.
2. Instill 0.2 to 0.3 ml (4-6 drops) into each ear canal daily.
3. Treat for 2 weeks.

I have also heard of others using the pour-on form of cattle ivermectin for this purpose.   Keep in mind that some Collie, Sheepdog and Shepherd breeds and mixes are ivermectin sensitive and can have fatal reactions to ivermectin.

• PARAFFIN/BENZYL BENZOATE:

Combine 8 parts liquid paraffin with 1 part benzyl benzoate to remove debris and kill mites.

• OIL:

1. Clean ears with a regular ear cleaner.
2.  Put 4-6 drops of almond or olive oil into each ear daily.
3. Continue treatment for 3 to 4 weeks.

The oil will effectively smother the mites.  Without further irritation from active mites, inflammation should subside.  If there is a bacterial or yeast infection present, you will need to address these issues as well. 

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