Ear mites are a common problem for both cats and dogs. You may notice your pet scratching at his ears or shaking his head. He may hold an affected ear at an odd angle, instead of upright. You may also see a dark colored debris in the ear canal; it can look like coffee grinds.
If you suspect your pet has ear mites, take a cotton ball and swab a bit of the dark debris out of the ear. Examine the debris under a light or magnifying glass — if you see any movement, you have ear mites on your hands. You can also try massaging the base of the ear at the back. A pet with mites may go crazy scratching at the first touch, so watch your fingers!
The first thing you need to do is clean out as many mites as possible. A few drops of mineral oil massaged into the visible part of the ear can help soften and loosen debris. Do not use cotton swabs to poke down into the ear canal, as you can damage the ear. Stick to the visible part of the ear, or ask your groomer or vet for help. Flush out the ear canal with lukewarm water, if your pet will tolerate it. You will need to clean the ears every few days during treatment, as new mites can hatch between treatments and re-infest the ears.
The next step is to kill any remaining mites with a topical insecticide. Insecticide ear drops are often available without a prescription from your local pet store. Massage to the back of the ear will help the drops move down into the ear canal. Wipe away any excess liquid outside the ear. You will need to use the ear drops for a few weeks before your pet is totally mite-free.
A general flea preventative will help keep the mites at bay.
If your dog or cat seems to have ear problems that lead him to scratch his ears raw or do not seem to have mites in the earwax, you may have another problem on your hands. It could be another type of ear infection that requires a vet’s attention.