What Are Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis)?
Sometimes people say “ear mites” to refer to mange (sarcoptic or demodectic).
But there’s a specific kind of ear mite we’ll cover in this post. It’s called Otodectes cynotis and it’s one of the most common types of ear mites (1). It’s also a type of mange, also called Otodectic mange.
So what are these annoying little pests? They’re actually arachnids … the same family as ticks, spiders and scorpions. But unlike their cousins, they don’t bite.
Ear mites usually live in your dog’s ear canal … but occasionally on the body. They feed off wax and oils in your dog’s ears. And that makes your dog itchy.
Ear mites are parasites. They don’t live long without a host … so when they find your dog, they’re eager to move in and set up house. And the ear canal is a nice cozy place to live and eat.
These mites are more common in cats … but your dog can pick them up too. They’re also quite contagious to other dogs, cats and ferrets. So if you have other pets, you’ll want to tackle the problem quickly. (Don’t worry, ear mites don’t usually affect humans. Rarely, people might get a skin rash from them.)
Younger dogs may be more susceptible to ear mites. But any age dog can get them.
Your dog can pick up ear mites from the outdoors. But most often they come from another animal … a dog, cat or ferret. Outdoor cats are a common source of infection. (Foxes also get ear mites … but your dog probably isn’t hanging out with them!)
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, cats may have 1000 mites in each ear. Dogs usually have far fewer. (The site also has some good enlarged photos of ear mites … in case you want to see what they look like!)
Once your dog gets ear mites, they spread fast. Female mites can lay 15-20 eggs during their few weeks’ lifetime. The eggs hatch in 4 days … then the offspring lay more eggs themselves. The egg-to-egg cycle takes about 18-28 days.
As mentioned, they spread easily, not just on your dog, but to your other pets. So if your dog has ear mites, check your cat or ferret too. You may need to treat them as well.
Ear mites are almost invisible to the naked eye. And the symptoms are similar to other ear problems.
Symptoms of Dog Mites
Regardless of what type of mite is hitching a ride on your dog, the symptoms can be bothersome, uncomfortable, and even painful. Here are some signs that will help you identify the presence of mites:
- Intense itchiness expressed in scratching, biting, licking, rubbing on furniture
- Scaly or crusty skin
- Inflammation and redness
- Sores
- White flakes
- Oily, smelly substance
- Hair loss
- Lesions on the elbow and ankles
- Raw skin
- Shaking the head and scratching the ears (ear mites)
- Black or dark brownish-red residue (ear mites)
- Obstruction of ear canal (ear mites)
If you don’t address mites promptly it can lead to more serious complications. Dogs who excessively shake their heads, whether due to ear mites or an ear infection, can develop a hematoma (or swelling of blood) in the brain. Infections can also occur with prolonged skin irritation. Some of the worst symptoms occur as the result of self-trauma out of reaction to the itching and discomfort; incessant ear scratching can result in damage to the ear canal. If you think your dog may have a mite infestation/mange, visit a holistic vet who can recommend care that will unearth the root of the issue rather than simply treat its symptoms. Sometimes symptoms of other health issues appear similar to mites and mange. Be sure to pause and make sure you’re addressing the right underlying cause before treating the ears for ear mites. Inflammation and irritation alone could signal that a foreign object is lodged in the ear. Once you’ve ruled out mites and an obstruction, the remaining cause could be a bacterial infection, yeast, chiggers, fleas, or even an allergic reaction. Symptoms that indicate the presence of ear mites — such as head tilting, head rubbing, and ear residue — may actually indicate an ear infection. The color of the residue usually differs; ear infection discharge is usually more of a rusty color rather than black. If you’re dealing with an issue such as an infection, yeast, bacteria, or fleas, Wondercidee has an ear treatment and skin spray that can help: .
Types of Dog Mite Infestations
Mite infestations that cause skin irritation are also called “mange.” But getting down to the nitty gritty, there are four types of mites that result in noticeable symptoms and effects. They include:
- Sarcoptes scabiei – Also known as canine scabies, these burrow into the skin rather than merely reside on its surface
- Otodectes cynotis – Ear mites marked by a black or brownish-red crust in the ear
- Demodex canis – Live in hair follicles and are common even on healthy dogs, but can cause demodectic mange
- Cheyletiella yasguri – Mites that reside on the surface, also known “walking dandruff”
While it’s not particularly pleasant to think of tiny parasites riding around on your furry best pal, demodex mites in particular are often found on healthy, well-cared for dogs. Their presence isn’t problematic unless the dog’s immune system is compromised and cannot fend off overpopulation. When the mite population increases, it results in itching and inflammation, which can ultimately lead to a bacterial infection. Pets with weak immune systems will be more likely to develop bad cases of mites. While minor cases of demodectic mange are common among puppies and usually clear up on their own, certain risk factors may make the infestation harder to get rid of and more problematic. Stress, an unclean environment, cases of intestinal heartworms, and infections can all increase the risk of developing a problematic case of mites. Pregnant and nursing dogs and their puppies are also at higher risk. Untreated demodectic mange can be deadly. If you see patchy skin on the face, your dog may be suffering from this type of mange, which will eventually spread all the way to the rear. Demodectic mange in puppies is usually localized, while older dogs more often suffer from generalized demodectic mange. Visit a trusted veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog may have this type. If your dog is experiencing these systems, it’s important to treat with a safe spray or shampoo bar that will eliminate the mites on the skin and provide soothing relief. You may recognize “demodex mites” as a parasite that can also live on humans; but before you get chills up your spine, you should know that your dog cannot spread its particular brand of demodex mites to you even though the condition is contagious as it relates to pets. When in close contact with the Cheyletiella or Sarcoptes mite, you as the owner may develop a patch of discoloration or minor red rash. This isn’t serious and should clear up with a shower or bath.
Treating A Dog With Mites | Critter Fixers, Country Vets
Ear mites in dogs are an unfortunately common pest. Like any other parasite, discovering them is bad news for your furry friend. While medication treatments are available, these are often quite harsh on a pet. They typically contain hard insecticides. This gets washed down your dogs already sensitive ears. Natural home remedies for ear mites in dogs can be just as effective. They work without subjecting them to rough chemicals and a stressful medicating process.
Flushing your dogs ears full of insecticides is something of a nuclear option for a problem as simple as ear mites. There are many softer natural home remedies to treat ear mites yourself.
Ear mites are a type of parasite that lives on dogs. They are small insects that thrive on the bodies of other animals. While ear mites typically live inside the ear as the name implies, they can even move onto different areas of a dog. When this happens, dogs can be bitten by the mites and develop itchy sore spots similar to when a dog has fleas.
Once ear mites have moved into your dogs ear they will likely stay there. While they dont live long they reproduce quickly. Common signs that a dog has ear mites are: