Suspected ear mites?

Question

Yesterday I woke up to my dog shaking her head and I looked in her ear. It is red and irritated, and has little black spots in it. I googled "ear mites", and I think that's what she has. Should I try an otc med before I take her to the vet, or should I go ahead and take her first?
Any info is helpful, thanks!

Maggie--the meds I have found are comparable to mineral oil, so I don't think it would harm my dog in any way to give her otc meds. But I guess we can't all have common sense, can we?

Answer 1

She needs to see the vet to make sure that's what she has and get proper meds - over the counter ones don't work and her ears will be pretty painful.

Answer 2

Most if not all of the otc meds for ears don't really phase ear mites... sorry but it might make you feel better but won't cure the problem. They are primarily just oil or cleaners and the mites just seem to thrive on these things! Someone mentioned fungal issues as well and that can be the problem as well as this is not uncommon so to have the vet do a scraping and look under the scope to make sure whether it is mites or fungal or even both, would be a good idea. No you don't have to run to the emergency vet, just get an appointment next week and get her in to be seen and treatment obtained. There are otc fungal preps that tend to be useful but most of the ones for mites just aren't. The ear mite meds tend to last forever too so get it from the vet and keep it on hand for later use as it will likely rear its nasty little head again... I hate ear mites... ugh... can you imagine having little critters in your ears itching you! ugh!!

add: ooops, so much for our common sense... putting something comparible to mineral oil in the ears can indeed cause problems - it can lead to an anerobic bacterial infection or perpetuate the growth of various fungal elements.

Answer 3

I think you should take her to the vet first just to be on the safe side. The sooner the better. The ear mites could get worse, and you should seek professional advice first. Plus, you want to make sure she actually has mites. You don't want to give her a med for something she doesn't have. Also, some otc meds don't work that well and you should get the proper info on what kind of meds to get from your vet.

Answer 4

vet.

along with ear mites, a dog can have simultaneous fungal and bacterial infections. if let go, this can cause damage to (or bursting of) the ear drum. not to mention it can be irritating and extremely painful. dogs that shake their heads alot--and especially dogs with long floppy ears--can actually end up with hematomas on their ears from shaking so much. sooo.... sooner the better.

a vet will usually sample ear gunk, put it under the scope, and can tell what is going on, thus what to treat for, for how long, and with what.

don't put anything in the dog;'s ear, and don't flush it.

see the vet.

a word to the wise: if the vet says put the meds in for 14 days, do it. don't stop at 10 days because everything looks fine. there is always a reason for the duration of medication.

Answer 5

Actually I'd have it looked at first and get something from the vet. OTC meds aren't very effective, and if she's got an infection to go with it it won't treat that.

Why bother asking other people if you have already made up your mind and aren't going to listen any advice anyway?

Answer 6

Dogs do NOT commonly get earmites...I always shudder every time I hear someone say they "think" their dog has ear mites and they want to treat at home...do NOT selfdiagnose, do NOT self treat!!! Take your dog to a vet, get a proper diagnosis and get proepr treatment. Self diagnosis & self treatment can cause serious harm.

Answer 7

Don't yell at me guys but you don't need to take her to the vet right away, but call her/him first, its free and they could tell you over the phone. Ask them about it not cyberpeople

Answer 8

definitley vet first,,,