Ear Mite News

There are many aspects involved with dog care and making sure you cover them all can be daunting. Dogs are subject to allergies but they catch them from the air. Proper allergy care involves not only treating the symptoms but also prevention. You should bath your dog regularly and rinse their feet after they have been outside to remove any allergens on your dog’s skin.

Dog dental care can also be done at home and is very easy but also critical to your dogs health. Proper dental care provides for more than clean breath, it also keeps your dogs organs healthy as bacterial buildup on the teeth can spread throughout your pets whole system and cause illness and disease.

As with your own dental care you only need a few tools in order to care for your dog’s teeth, these are dental clens solution, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental treats or toys or a dental cleaning dog kit. It may take your dog a few days or even weeks to get used to the dental care procedure but their teeth and gums will be much healthier and not have as many problems as before.

Ear care is particularly important for dogs, especially during the summer. A build up of moisture in the ear canals can cause problems as well as favorable conditions for ear infections. There are many products that can be used to care for your dogs ears including ear powders to keep ears dry, ear miticide to kill ear mites and other ear cleaning solutions that rinse away dirt and loosens waxy build up.

Keeping your dogs eyes clean is also important as this can prevent infections. The most common eye infection for dogs is conjunctivitis. To prevent infections you should use eye cleaning solutions or protective ointments that protect eyes from irritation as well as killing bacteria. You can trim hair from around your pet’s eyes to prevent infection, make sure the corners of their eyes are mucous free, and try to keep your pets away form activities or surroundings where they may get eye trauma. When doing any cleaning or cutting around your dogs eyes, you want to use the utmost care so as to avoid poking your dog in the eye!

As your dog ages there is some additional dog care needs that you should be aware of. Your dog should still exercise but at a lower intensity and for shorter periods of time. Older dogs should use a foam bed to protect their joints when sleeping. You should also take advantage of senior dog food as it will contain important vitamins and nutrients that older dogs may need more of. As dogs age you need to keep a closer eye out for changes in behavior as these can be signs of problems. You should take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice any changes.

Proper dog care also constitutes regular veterinary visits. This way you can be assured that you are providing your pet with everything he needs to be happy, healthy and long lived.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-care-tips-for-happy-healthy-dogs-754369.html

The way I discovered the material covered in Veterinary Secrets Revealed was by learning from many people. I read books-hundreds of books. I went to seminars and conferences, and still do. I consulted with holistic specialists- Homeopaths, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Massage therapists, Chinese Medicine practitioners and Herbalists.

I tried these remedies on my clients- and they often worked. I recall one of my first clients 15 years ago, a sweet little Jack Russel named Jessie.

Jessie came in to the clinic feeling sick. Blood tests, X-rays and a liver biopsy showed that Jessie had a severe liver disease that was ‘incurable’. I put her on all the conventional medication – It did not help one bit. As she got sicker, I felt helpless as to what to do.

So, I talked to an herbalist. She suggested trying an herb called Milk Thistle. I was skeptical, being a new graduate from Vet school – but I thought, why not try it? My boss thought it was a waste of time and money.

But it worked. Jessie recovered from the liver disease and her blood tests showed normal liver function 3 months later after taking it.

From that moment on, I was hooked. I incorporated alternative medicine into regular veterinary practice.

After treating thousands of pets for a variety of problems, I wrote my book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed.

Jessie is just one example of the many pets I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from. And it is the result of her successful recovery, and so many others that all went into ‘Veterinary Secrets Revealed’. In my book, I tell about every single at home remedy that I have used for every pet health problem imaginable.

Examination and treatment of common conditions of the Eyes, Ears and Nose

The Eyes

The surface of the eye (cornea) should be clear. The middle of the eye (pupil) should respond to light. You can shine a light into your pets’ eyes and see the pupil constrict. The right and left pupils should be equal size.

The lens, which sits behind the pupil, should be clear. If it appears cloudy, then your pet may be developing cataracts. This may be normal for an aging pet, or may be a sign of disease, such as diabetes.

The area around the eye, the white tissue, is called the sclera. It should be a clear white color. In cases of liver disease, it will become yellow (jaundiced).

The pink tissue around the eye is called the conjuctiva; it is normally a light pink color. In infections, it becomes a darker pink and the eyes will produce a white or greenish discharge. There are a number of home remedies to treat conjunctivitis.

TO THE KITCHEN. Tea is more than just a drink. It has a product in it called tannins, which are anti-inflammatory and have antimicrobial properties. Brew up a strong cup of black tea and place 3-4 drops in the affected eye three times daily. It should be made daily to prevent contamination. More details are found in my book.

The Eyelids should be free of any lumps or bumps; older pets commonly develop benign eyelid tumors, which may need removal by your veterinarian.

There should be no discharge from your pets’ eyes; excessive tearing may indicate a blocked tear duct.

The last part of the eyes to examine is the 3rd eyelid. It sits in the corner of the lower eye closest to the nose. It is not usually seen. In cases of conjunctivitis, it may become very red. It contains a gland that can pop out (prolapsed 3rd eyelid gland). This may respond to anti-inflammatory medication or have to be treated surgically.

The Ears

Your pet should not be shaking their head; if they do there may be an ear infection.

The outside of the ear (pinna) should be a light pink and palpate as being flat. Any thickening could indicate an ear infection, allergy or a blood blister in the ear (aural hematoma).

The inside of the ear (ear canal) should be easy to see and free of discharge. A small amount of light yellow discharge is probably normal wax. Any foul smelling odor indicates an infection. A yellowy discharge often indicates a yeast infection. Hard black debris in your cats’ ears likely indicates ear mites. If debris an odor are present, then clean your pets ears.

A safe home remedy involves a 50:50 mixture of vinegar and water. Drop the mixture in the ear canal, rub the base of the ear well to loosen up the debris, then wipe out the excess by placing a cotton ball as deep as you can into the ear canal. Repeat the cleaning until the debris appears removed from the ear. One home remedy involves garlic soaked in olive oil for 12 hours. Remove the garlic clove and apply 5-6 drops into the ear twice daily for 7-10 days. As ear infections are often a result of an allergic reaction, products that modulate your pet’s immune system will help.

Nose

Check for any signs of discharge from the right or left nostril. The occasional clear discharge is normal for some pets, but ongoing discharge indicates a problem, such as an allergy.

Your pet may benefit from a hypoallergenic diet, which can be bought commercially.

Home Allergy Diet for a 50 lb Dog

Boiled white fish or canned tuna 1 cup

Boiled potatoes or Cooked rice 4 cups

Calcium carbonate or Tums 1 teaspoon

Corn Oil 1 tablespoon

Potassium chloride (light salt) 1 teaspoon

One-a-day multivitamin 1 tablet

Mix all ingredients together and divide into equal portions, feeding 2 1/2 cups in the morning and 2 1/2 cups in the evening.

Feline Home Allergy Diet for a 10 lb Cat

Canned Tuna in Fish Oil 1 cup

Cooked White Rice 1 cup

Cod Liver Oil 1 tablespoon

Calcium Carbonate or Tums 1/2 teaspoon

Potassium Chloride 1/4 teaspoon

One-a-day Vitamin 1/2 tablet

Taurine 500mg

Mix all ingredients so they are well blended together. This will make 2 cups of food, enough for 2 days. Feed 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening.

Whatever food you choose, it must be fed for 12 weeks. If after 12 weeks your pet it still scratching, then she probably doesn’t have a food allergy.

Any purulent (thick, whitish) discharge is abnormal and indicates a bacterial infection in the nasal cavity or sinuses.

Feel that air is flowing through both nostrils by placing a hair in front of each nostril. An abnormal growth in the nose can block airflow into the nostril.

The nose may appear dry or wet; a wet nose means that the glands in the nose are producing more fluid. This is not a sign of disease.

The nose and end of the muzzle should be black or light pink. If it becomes inflamed and red, then your pet may have a condition called Collie Nose; this is a localized type of immune problem in which the immune system attacks the end of the nose.

Two simple home remedies involve removing plastic dishes if they are being used for feeding and applying a very safe topical herb, Aloe Vera.

I have over 1 thousand at-home remedies in my book. There are no other comparable Veterinary books out there.

Veterinary Secrets Revealed will provide all the information you need to keep your pet healthy or to improve the health of a sick pet.

In addition, Veterinary Secrets Revealed does it without medical jargon, without complicated procedures, and without an eye on the pharmaceutical companies’ bottom line (yes, we Vets face the same pressures as human doctors.)

Veterinary Secrets Revealed will help your pet.

To Your Pet’s Good Health!

Dr. Andrew Jones
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/common-pet-health-conditions-of-the-eyes-ears-and-nose-how-to-heal-these-at-home-111560.html

Just like humans, dogs produce ear wax (cerumen). If there are factors present which increase production of this ear wax, or if the normal clearance mechanism is compromised, then manual removal might be necessary.

Why clean the ears?

1. So that your veterinarian can visualize the ear drum. Waxy debris obstructs the view, so the integrity of the ear drum cannot be ascertained.
2. To remove debris prior to applying topical ear medication to treat an infection.
3. As part of a preventative ear care programme, to minimize the chance of an ear infection occurring.

When performing a general clinical examination, for example during a yearly check up at the time of vaccination, a veterinarian will usually look at the inside of the ear for excessive wax or inflammation. A vet will only want to look further into the canal with an otoscope if the dog is showing symptoms of an ear problem, such as scratching at its head, rubbing its head along the floor or head shaking. Otoscopic examination of the ear canal is usually performed to check for the presence of ear mites, foreign bodies (e.g. grass seeds), polyps, tumors and middle ear disease.

If the ears are waxy, but there is no evidence of an infection and no itchiness, then regular cleaning with a dog ear cleaner is the recommended course of action. Ear cleaners can usually be purchased at veterinary clinics, pet shops or online.

What do ear cleaners contain?

Many ear cleaners contain ceruminolytics, which disrupt the wax by acting on the cells it adheres to. Many also contain lubricants, which soften and loosen the wax. The main components are listed below.

Detergent (e.g. docusate sodium, carbamate peroxide, sodium lauryl sulfate)
Lubricant (e.g. squalene, propylene glycol, glycerin)
Ceruminolytic (e.g. olive oil, aqueous alkaline solutions)
Disinfectant (e.g. parachlorometaxylenol)
Antimicrobial agents (e.g. lactic, salicyclic or oleic acids)
Drying agents (e.g. isopropyl alcohol)

Is there a recommended technique for cleaning the ears?

The most common cleaning regime is to apply the product, gently massage the ear canal and then wipe with dry cotton wool. The objective is to keep the ear canals open, clean and free from accumulations of wax, debris and hair. Start with one ear, go through the following process, then move onto the other one. Squirt some of the ear cleaner into the outermost hole in the ear, when looking at it from above. Hold your dogs head steady as it will be inclined to shake its head at this point and disperse the liquid. Massage the ear canal with your fingertips so that it makes a squelching noise. When you have massaged for a good 20 seconds, take a ball of dry cotton wool and clean out the ear by wiping in a corkscrew motion. Your dog may now shake its head to remove the tickly remains from its canal.

Can I pluck the hair from inside the ears myself?

Regular plucking of hairy ear canals will make cleaning easier and improve ventilation. Although it seems like a sore thing to do, there are actually no nerves running through the hair follicles in the ear canal so plucking is painless. Owners can do it themselves at home if their dog is cooperative, but many prefer to leave it to the grooming parlour or to a veterinary nurse.

How often should I clean my dogs ears?

As a rule of thumb, once a month should suffice. However, dogs with large hanging ear flaps such as spaniels and basset hounds might need their ears cleaning more often. Dogs that swim frequently also need closer attention.

What if the home treatment system does not work?

Some ears are so dirty, hairy or sore, that a dog will not permit its owner to clean them out via the technique described above. These owners require veterinary assistance, where either simple lavage or mechanical removal is performed.

LAVAGE

This is usually performed under heavy sedation, or general anaesthetic. A syringe is attached to a soft catheter, which is fed into the ear canal. Water is repeatedly injected and then sucked out again, containing globs of wax and debris. This is repeated until the liquid sucked out is clear. Sometimes other liquids are used rather than water, such as dilute chlorhexidine or povidone iodine. However, these can cause damage if the ear drum is ruptured. Since by definition most dogs requiring veterinary assistance to clean their ears have very dirty ears, it is safer to use water or saline as an irrigant.

MECHANICAL REMOVAL

This is the safest method of cleaning out wax as there is no risk to the ear drum. Sedation is generally required. A wire loop or blunt curette is gently pulled along the lining of the canal, loosening and rolling wax out of the canal as it progresses.

Matthew Homfray
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/cleaning-your-dogs-ears-114176.html

Dogs, cats and small mammals such as rabbits or guinea pigs are popular companions for many people, often sharing their home environment. Being in such close contact, it is perhaps inevitable that sometimes disease is transmitted from pets to their owners. Though the diseases discussed in this article can affect any person, immunocompromised people such as infants, the elderly or those who are HIV+ need to be extra careful. This article looks at skin diseases of dogs and cats that can present a risk to their owners.

Actually, considering the large number of people interacting closely with small animals on a daily basis, the overall risk of contracting disease from a pet with skin disease is remarkably low. In general, keeping pets clean, free from parasites and healthy, as well as good personal and household hygiene such as proper hand washing, will minimize the risk of catching a disease from your pet. However, people belonging to risk categories (the immunosuppressed) need more specific advice.

The increase in pet travel, and the occurrence of breeders sourcing stock from overseas, has made the risk of exposure to new diseases a little greater. The most common skin diseases transmissible to humans that occur in dogs and cats are sarcoptic mange (scabies), cheyletiellosis (mite infestation), fleas and dermatophytosis (ringworm). In general, young and newly acquired animals, especially those from animal shelters, are most likely to be affected by these diseases. Below we look at each of these diseases more closely.

Flea Infestation

Since the reservoir of fleas is predominantly in the environment, and jump onto the human from there, one might argue that this is not strictly transmitted from the animal. However, it is introduced into the household by the animal and therefore falls into this category.

The flea will readily feed on humans and can cause a marked hypersensitivity reaction in some individuals. In addition, fleas can transmit other diseases, such as cat scratch disease (Bartonella henselae), tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) and plague (Yersinia pestis). Regular flea control with veterinary recommended spot on treatments will keep the environmental population of fleas low, and minimize the risk of bites.

Sarcoptic Mange

This is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, and can affect a number of species. Different strains of the mite do tend to prefer different species, and the most common one which affects dogs and foxes only has an estimated 20 per cent chance of transmission to humans. Prolonged skin to skin contact is the main route of transmission, with the disease presenting as an itchy rash with small red spots. Usually, disease in the human will clear up of its own accord, once the dog has been treated appropriately with a medicated shampoo or spot on drug. Occasionally, humans may need their own treatment though. It is very important to treat all in contact dogs as well. Unlike fleas, these mites do not tend to survive for long in the environment so reinfection is rare once the dog has been treated.

Cheyletiellosis

This can be caught from dogs, cats and small mammals such as rabbits or guinea pigs. Mites can survive in the environment for several days. Humans are only transiently infected, and develop itchy spots. Appropriate treatment of the affected animal, and the in contact animals, resolves the problem.

Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

This is actually a type of fungus, not a worm as the name suggests. The most common type in dogs and cats is Microsporum canis. Transmission is often by direct contact, but spores can remain infective in the environment for many months. Dogs and cats may be carriers of the disease without showing any signs of it themselves, while acting as a source of infection for their owners.

In dogs and cats, infections with ringworm usually resolve by themselves given time, unless the animal is immunocompromised (e.g. on steroids). However, treatment is recommended so that the risk of transmission to humans is lessened. Dogs and cats are usually treated with a topical solution of itraconazole, while affected humans are usually prescribed an anti fungal cream to apply to affected areas.

Otodectic Mange (Ear Mites)

These mites cause ear infections in dogs, cats and ferrets. They can, rarely, affect skin outside of the ear, and this has been reported sometimes in humans. It is however rare, and easily controlled by treating the affected animal with a certain acaricidal spot on drug (e.g. selamectin, moxidectin) or topical ear drops.

Malassezia Dermatitis

These are yeasts often found on normal skin in dogs, cats, humans and other species. Skin disease occurs as a reaction to the yeasts overgrowth and the hosts reaction to it. Transmission to humans has only ever been documented in immunocompromised people, and the risk of infection is low.

Staphylococcal Infections

Staphylococcal pyoderma (bacterial skin infection) is common in dogs, but not in cats. It often occurs secondary to another disease and usually involves the bacterium Staphylococcus intermedius. Contrast this to humans, where the main cause of bacterial skin infection is Staphylococcus aureus, and it is clear that the risk of transmission to humans is very low.

Mycobacterial Infections

Tuberculosis poses a risk to human health. The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis can infect both cats and humans, and pass between them. The disease presents as nodules, draining tracts or non healing wounds, or as respiratory disease. Urgent medical and veterinary attention should be sought, though the incidence of pets passing it to their owners is very low.

Feline Poxvirus Infection

Cats get cowpox infections by being bitten by voles and wood mice. Hence it is only outdoor cats that are affected, namely those that hunt. Many affected cats do not show any signs of disease. Transmission to humans is rare, and can cause painful skin nodules.

What can immunocompromised people do to minimize the risk to them?

Firstly, a risk assessment should be carried out. Good communication is essential between the medical and veterinary professionals involved. The goal is to maintain disease free status in the pet, whilst practicing thorough hygiene measures by the person. Being immunocompromised does not mean you cannot have a pet, but the following points should be taken into consideration:

1. If acquiring a pet, make sure it is a healthy one, vet checked and not from a source rife with diseases.
2. Safe feeding practices
3. Avoid your pet coming into contact with contaminated material from other animals (e.g. feces)
4. Vaccination annually
5. Good worming control (every 3 months in adult dogs and cats)
6. Good flea prevention (usually monthly for spot ons)
7. Good dental care (brushing your pets teeth, dental chews to keep teeth clean)
8. Regular general health checks by your veterinarian

Matthew Homfray
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/what-you-can-catch-from-your-pet-skin-diseases-120632.html

When it comes to ear infection in dogs, a lot of pet owners are doubtful as to whether or not the problem can truly be solved by herbal remedies. The use of herbs and natural treatments either for a person or for an animal is not yet widely accepted.

However, there are times when owners are left with no other choice but to use these over-the-kitchen-counter remedies rather than give nothing to their ailing pets at all.

When it comes to ear infections, it is important that you first determine the very thing that is causing the infection. Most ear infections are caused by mites. But don’t outwardly assume so. Better to first inspect the ears of your pet thoroughly. Ear infection may also be caused by foreign objects finding its way inside the dog’s ear. If you can, bring your pet to the vet. Otherwise, go to the kitchen and find herbal remedies like apple cider vinegar or cod liver oil to help ease the discomfort.

If you decide to give an herbal treatment therapy to your pet, it is necessary that you take note of its improvement. If you don’t see anything positive happening to your dog since you have applied the cure, you might as well stop it because your dog is not responsive to the treatment anyway. This is also a sign that you really have to take the dog to the vet before anything worse happen to it.

The veterinarian would normally prescribe antibiotics to your pet. Depending on the condition of its ear, oral medicines may be given. Otherwise, topical treatments would suffice. You have to be very consistent when giving your dog these medicines because any changes in the schedule or dosage may affect the rate of recovery of your pet.

You might think that ear infection in dogs is a minor problem. However, your dog could be suffering a lot from it and is just not exhibiting pain. When left untreated for weeks, dog ear infection may lead to total loss of hearing. Worse, your dog may develop a much severe disease because of it. Ear infections may lead to brain problems because the pus and the bacteria start to penetrate your dog’s head. When this occurs, it would be a lot harder to treat your dog. No herbal remedy, or any other type of medicine for that matter, can truly help it.

Therefore, you should always check your dog’s ear whenever you can. Dog breeds that wear their ear down are most susceptible to ear infections because air is not properly circulating around it. As such, you have to periodically take your dog to the grooming center just to make sure that its ears are clean and healthy at all times.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to physically clean the ears of your dog. Dogs have a natural way of keeping their ears healthy. Your job is to merely check that there’s no pus, foul smell, or discharges abnormally coming out of their ears. When you observe any of these, better take your dog to the vet right away for proper diagnosis.

Cristian Stan
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/are-herbal-remedies-for-ear-infection-in-dogs-effective-733467.html

Even though all pets whether they are cats or dogs have their own personalities and traits they have some things in common. Sooner or later all pets will probably end up having fleas, worms or ear mite. There are common problems that occur throughout your pet’s life time. Listed below are some tips that a pet owner might find useful if their pet develops one of these health related problems.

Fleas
Fleas are nasty little critters that can infest your home and make your pets miserable. To rid your pets and home of fleas you must attack them from all sides. To combat fleas you have to make sure that you treat your pets and all indoors and outdoors of your home. You can begin by using a product that prevents the flea pupa from leaving the egg. You can get this type of medicine from your vet. It is usually prescribed in tablet form which is given to your pet once a month. This treatment prevents flea breeding but does not kill fleas.

You will want to also use a product which will kill adult fleas; some type of topical insecticide. These types of products are usually in aerosol form. They work by dissolving into the fatty skin tissue of your pet which means your pet will still be protected after shampooing. Some of these products last up to 3 months. You can also use flea powder and flea collars on your cats and dogs. You should also use a flea spray for your home. Make sure it is the kind of spray that takes care of both adult fleas and their larvae. Most of these types of products last up to 7 months. The most important step is to vacuum thoroughly and often. Vacuuming is very effective and should be done daily.

Worms
A person should have their cats and dogs wormed regularly. The reason for this is that worms carried by cats and dogs can be a health risk to other people and animals. There are many different types of worms and parasites that your pet can be infected with. Since young animals have a lower resistance to infection and unborn pups and kittens can be infected while in their mother’s womb. It is important to start worming pups and kittens at about two weeks of age.

There are different types of worms, including; roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and hookworms. Since all of these types of worms are common in pets it is hard to prevent them from getting infected; but you can control them by worming your pet on a regular treatment schedule. Usually the doses can be giving orally in powder, liquid or tablet form. By using preventive care and making sure that your cat or dog is wormed at least every three to four months you can control infestations.

Ear Mites
Ear mites are very small parasites who infect the ears of cats and dogs and live in the ear canals. Ear mites are highly contagious among animals. Ear mites can be seen using a magnifying glass or by looking at a sample of tissue from the ear under a microscope. These types of parasites are not always easy to see with the naked eye.

Unfortunately, if one of your pets has ear mites then the rest of your pets probably do too. Ear mites easily spread between animals. It is also a good idea to use flea products on their bodies as well, such as flea powder or flea shampoo. Ear mites can be found on other areas of the body besides the ears. It is also recommended that you wash the pet’s bedding. The type of treatment for ear mites depends on how severe the infestation is. Your veterinarian can prescribe ear medications with anti inflammatory ingredients which will give your pet relief. If the ear mites are severe you may need your pet’s ears cleaned along with ear medication.

Today with things such as the cost of medical treatment and veterinarian visits for your pets at an all time high and still increasing; a smart move is to buy pet insurance. This will give you piece of mind and the ability to take care of your four legged family members incase of a medical emergency or injury. You can get pet insurance on older pets too. They don’t have to be puppies or kittens to be eligible; as long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.

Karen Corey
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/tips-on-common-pet-health-problems-712190.html

In this article, “How To Avoid A Dog Ear Infection Or Other Canine Ear Problems”, we investigate the some causes of ear infections and other related ear problems as well as providing some pratical advice on how to keep your dog’s ear in good working order.

Regular examination of your dogs ears should be another integral part of your grooming routine. Your examination should not only be checking for dirt, excessive wax, offensive odors, but also for tears and swellings. There are three main parts to a dogs ears: the outer flap (the pinna), the ear canal, and the middle or inner ear.

The pinna can either be pendulous (floppy) or erect. It can be covered in long hair in breeds such as spaniels and setters or with short hair in breeds such as shepherds and terriers. The ear canal is L-shaped. It starts of at a vertical angle and then makes a horizontal turn. Because of this shape we can only make a cursory examination. A veterinarian can make a complete examination using a device called an otoscope. Using the otoscope the veterinarian can also check the inner ear.

A dog which shakes its head, scratches or rubs it head against the floor or furniture is indicative of a dog with a possible ear problem. Offensive odors could also be indicative of an ear infection. These as well as tears and swellings on the outer ear should be checked and treated by a veterinarian.

Cleaning of the ear canal can be accomplished by using various solutions. There are cleansing solutions, ear-wax loosening and removal solutions and ear drying solutions available through your veterinarian and pet stores. Before putting anything in your dogs ears, consult with your veterinarian.

If the ear flap is dirty, it can be cleaned with a soft moist cloth or gauze wrapped around a finger tip. Q-tips can be used inside the small outer crevices. Gentleness is essential so as not to cause trauma to the outer ear or cause wax or dirt to be forced down the ear canal. Dogs with excessive hair such as spaniels should have the hair on the underside of the flap removed by trimming it, thus causing adequate ventilation and drainage. A build-up of dirty waxy hair can seal off the ear canal creating an environment suitable for bacterial growth such as yeast infections, or a breeding ground for parasites such as ear mites.

Another good time to check your dogs ears is when you come home from exercising in open fields or in the forest (hunting or tracking). Check for bugs such as ticks and for tears. A good brushing and bathing can remove dirt, bugs and allergens, which can also affect the ears.

Because of the shape of the dogs ears damage to the ear drum is rare but caution should be exercised when cleaning the ears. Again, never put anything in your dogs ears unless advised by your veterinarian and use extreme gentleness when cleaning the ears. Consult your veterinarian immediately if you have any concerns. An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.

Terrie Simpson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-health-care-article-how-to-avoid-a-dog-ear-infection-or-other-canine-ear-problems-748790.html

I see my kitty scratch only one of her ears. She doesn’t scratch the other one a lot. Theirs a bit of less hair near the ears then the other one.Also she’s an indoor cat. So, can she still get ear mites? I looked in her ears and I only saw really small pieces of brown(then she meowed and moved away). But I think thats ear wax. She has a shot coming up on the 2nd so I will ask the vet then. I have 1 other cat and I checked his ear and he seems fine.

Ear mites look like coffee grounds stuck to the inside of the ears.
Yes, one ear could be more infected than the other.
Both cats need treatment (regardless of symptoms) to completely elliminate the infestation.

The vet can tell you more. DON’T USE ANY "OVER THE COUNTER" OR "HOME REMEDIES". They make more of a mess than they actually help anything.

Cheers!

I brought a new pup home yesterday from rescue shelter and his ears are making him insane. They itch constantly and he is just whining and rubbing his head all over the place. If he has ear mites, which I assume is the case…

1. How do I get rid of them?

2. Would they have passed to my other adult dog? IF so, how do I treat him?

3. Will there be infestations in the house/clothes/bedding etc. How do I get rid of it?

I’m a freak about this kind of stuff!

See your vet. Ear mites aren’t all that common in dogs. It is probably an ear infection and easily treated. No your other dog probably would not get them. Your house will not be infested.

Bless you for adopting a pound puppy!

.

I have two cats: one with very mild brown ear wax and she rarely scratches her ears – the other has brown discharge, very itchy, and red (but only one ear).
I have treated them both for 3 months with revolution for ear mites. The one cat is fine, the other has had no success. I have a few more months of revolution from the vet. Should I keep treating them with that or could it be something else?
Could the vet have made a mistake and it isn’t ear mites? I don’t understand how one cat could have them and the other not when they are so contagious.

cats can get ear infections or ear mites. and they are contagious, but your cat didn’t get them because she didn’t touch or lick the cat with the infection’s ear.