The 3 Main Causes of Ear Mites in Dogs
Ear mites can be a common problem in dogs and cats, including other household pets. In fact, 50% of almost all cases of ear problems in animals are caused by ear mites. This is the reason why all pet owners should always check the ears of their dogs for infections.
It is quite easy to know if your dog is suffering from some ear-related problems because it would show physically. However, prevention is always better than cure. Knowing what causes ear mites can lead the way to the proper prevention of this problem.
Here are the main causes of ear mites in pets:
1. Poor Hygiene
Mites thrive almost every where. For as long as it has a body to live on, these organisms would multiply greatly. If your dog is not groomed or at least given a bath regularly, it becomes very susceptible to ear mites. To make sure that your pet is free from these parasites, give it a nice bath daily and take it to the grooming center regularly.
2. Transfer
If one of your dogs is positive with ear mites, mere association of your other pets to it would make them suffer from the same disease. Ear mites are highly contagious. They can transfer from one host to the other. So if your dog has ear mites, don't let your cat, ferret, or rabbit go near it. As much as possible, keep your pets in their proper cages up until the condition is cured.
3. Dirty Surroundings
If your dog has ear mites, you should make it a point that you always clean its cage or kennel regularly. If it uses beddings, change it often. This is quite true with cats as well. Keep its litter clean so that mites won't be able to proliferate much. Ear mites are tiny insects. They have the ability to live outside of your pet's body for a specified period of time. You want to get rid of them immediately so that other pets won't be affected.
Should you notice that your pet is suffering from ear infections, it is strongly advised that you take it to the veterinarian right away. If you see the problem on both ears of your dog, it could either be mites or mange. The vet should be able to accurately diagnose the problem and provide the necessary medications for it.