What it is
Ear mites live on the skin of the ear canal and feed on its surface and on ear secretions. Their movement and the substances they produce irritate the skin, so the ear itches badly and a dark discharge builds up in the canal. The mites pass on through direct contact, when animals sleep, play or groom each other, so several pets in a home can be infected at once.
Constant scratching can injure the ear flap, and the irritated canal can develop a bacterial or yeast infection. Hard head-shaking can make blood collect in the ear flap, so that it swells.
If one pet in the home has ear mites, it is worth checking them all, especially cats, which can carry the mites without obvious signs. Don't clean the discharge deep into the canal before a vet has examined it.
Signs you may notice
- Head shaking
- Scratches its ears with a paw
- Dark, dry discharge in the ears
- Scratches and scabs around the ears
The dog shakes its head, scratches its ears with a paw or rubs them on furniture. A dark, dry, crumbly discharge that looks like coffee grounds builds up in the ears, and scratches and scabs appear around the ears from the scratching.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if your dog shakes its head and scratches its ears and you can see a dark discharge in them. If the ear flap swells, the ear is painful or the dog holds its head tilted, have it seen promptly.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.