How are ear fleas in dogs treated? - briefly
Veterinarians treat ear mites with prescribed topical or oral acaricides such as selamectin, ivermectin, or milbemycin, applied at the recommended dose. After medication, the ear canal is cleaned with a veterinary‑approved solution to remove debris and dead parasites.
How are ear fleas in dogs treated? - in detail
Ear parasites that inhabit a dog’s auditory canal require prompt identification and targeted therapy. Diagnosis begins with a visual inspection of the ear canal; a dark, crumb‑like debris (often called “cerumen”) may contain live organisms. Microscopic examination of a sample confirms the presence of the mite, allowing the veterinarian to differentiate it from bacterial or fungal infections.
Once confirmed, the therapeutic protocol typically includes three components:
- Mechanical cleaning – The ear canal is flushed with a veterinarian‑approved solution to remove debris, dead mites, and excess wax. This step improves the efficacy of subsequent medicaments and reduces irritation.
- Topical acaricide – A medication applied directly into the ear, such as a selamectin, milbemycin, or pyrethrin‑based formulation, kills both adult parasites and developing stages. The product is usually administered once daily for three consecutive days, then repeated after a week to eliminate any newly hatched mites.
- Systemic treatment – Oral antiparasitic agents, for example ivermectin or a milbemycin oxime tablet, may be prescribed when the infestation is severe, when there is concurrent skin involvement, or when the dog cannot tolerate ear drops. Dosage is calculated according to body weight and repeated at intervals recommended by the prescribing veterinarian.
Environmental control is essential to prevent reinfestation. All bedding, toys, and grooming tools should be washed in hot water or replaced. Household surfaces may be treated with a diluted acaricide spray, following the manufacturer’s safety guidelines. Household members with symptoms should be examined, as some ear parasites can be zoonotic.
Follow‑up examinations are scheduled 2–4 weeks after the initial treatment. The veterinarian re‑inspects the ear canal, repeats microscopic sampling if necessary, and confirms the absence of live parasites. If residual debris persists, additional cleaning sessions are performed, but further medication is typically unnecessary unless new mites are detected.
In summary, effective management of canine ear parasites relies on accurate diagnosis, thorough canal cleaning, appropriate topical and/or systemic acaricidal therapy, strict environmental decontamination, and vigilant post‑treatment monitoring.