Rockwall Vet says ear mites are a common pest among pets. They are one of many that need to be quickly and effectively dealt with. It is easy to learn how to treat ear mites. This keeps pets from getting permanent or serious damage from an infection.

What are these things? They are organisms that can live in the ear canal and elsewhere on the pet. They are microscopic so they cannot be seen by the naked eye. They can be contracted by other animals through touch. Humans are not afflicted by them and cannot get them through contact with an infected pet though.

Pets should have their ears cleaned on a regular basis. Equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water is a good solution for cleaning ears. Washing out the ears with a cotton swab that is lightly damp with this solution is an easy way to clean ears. Be sure to use different swabs per ear. Infections can be spread from one ear to the other if the same swab is used. The ear canal does not need cleaning. Only the parts of the ears that can be seen.

One symptom of infestation is it makes a pet itch its ears. This is because they cause inflammation within the ear canal, causing irritation. Pets will also shake their heads. Blood will also be noticeable as a discharge. This is usually dry and looks similar to coffee grounds. However, it can also be fresh. More serious infestations can cause an animal to be unbalanced. This is similar to people who have inner ear problems. If the pet has mites elsewhere, they might not be bothered by them.

If the problem is left untreated, animals can get damage to the ear canal and ear drums. This can result in permanent hearing loss. Also, ear infections and skin disease can be a result of infection.

There are different types of over the counter medication that is readily available. These take three to four weeks to treat the problem. They do not have an ingredient in them that kills mite eggs. They typically are a liquid solution.

Prescription medication takes anywhere from ten to fourteen days because it does kill mite eggs. These medications come as drops or injections. They have to be obtained by a veterinarian.

If the pet has mites outside the ear canal, flea and tick medications will get rid of these. If your pet is on a regular flea treatment, external mites are not a problem.

When treatment is required to rid the pet of a mite infestation, if there are multiple pets, all pets must be treated at the same time. This prevents repeat infestations.

If an animal does suffer from repeat infestations, the animal should be taken to the veterinarian. The same is true if the pet has severe symptoms or needs prescription treatment.

It is important to treat ear mites at the first signs of infestation. This will prevent the problem from worsening. Learn to treat ear mites and know the symptoms to help keep pets healthy.