He May Not Be Saying No ... It Could Be Mites

Think your dog is saying "NO" when he's shaking his head at your words? Perhaps not. Scratching ears or shaking the head a lot means a trip to the veterinarian, one that may offer relief for you and your pet, according to Dr. Jennifer L. Matousek, a veterinarian specializing in dermatology at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital in Urbana. She explained that there are many causes of itchy ears: ear mites, yeast infections or bacterial infections. "Although dogs can get ear mites at any age, younger pets are more susceptible," said Matousek. "If your young pet has been around a lot of other animals, ear mites (Otodectes) is a possible diagnosis."

Dogs with such mites may have an ear discharge with increased wax and a coffee-ground appearance. Your veterinarian will need to take an ear swab and look at the discharge under a microscope to identify an ear mite infection. Most mite infections are treated with a round of ear drops for 5 to 6 weeks. If the discharge is thick, your veterinarian may wash out your pets ears so the ear drop treatment can have better contact with the infected areas. The ear mites can be outside of the ear, as well. Flea control products help control the mite population outside of the ears. "In the near future, instead of ear drops, you may be using a treatment applied to your dog's skin -- similar to tick and flea control products on the market," predicts Matousek. "The contagious nature of ear mites -- other dogs and cats can become infected -- is a good reason to have a veterinarian perform a physical on your new pet before you introduce it to the rest of the family," said. Matousek. If your pet has ear mites, it is wise to keep a close eye on your other pets to make sure they don't get ear mites also.

"Should the discharge be yellow to brown, a yeast (Malassezia pachydermatitis) or bacterial infection is more likely," said. Matousek. It is normal for yeast to be in the ear. But sometimes yeast can get out of control if the environment is more moist than usual. These yeast and bacterial infections won't cause infections in humans. Treatments may include a round of antibiotic ear drops along with an anti-inflammatory drug.

Allergies, trauma and tumors are other causes of itchy ears. Allergies can be caused by fleas, pollen, molds or plants. Dogs with allergies may lick or itch other spots on the body, such as the feet and face. Aggressive cleaning can cause trauma to the ear. Never clean with a cotton applicator.

Prevent ear problems by being an observant owner and keeping ears clean and dry. Check the inside of your pet's ears periodically for abnormal discharges and remove any visible dirt. But never clean deeper than you can see. If your pet requires more frequent cleaning or is going through the scratching, head-shaking routine, this could be a sign of an infection. Contact your veterinarian.

Reprinted with permission of Canine Times, the free ezine for dog people.
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