How can you determine whether a dog has otitis or ear mites? - briefly
Examine the ear canal for dark, crumbly debris and live parasites; their presence indicates «ear mites», while a foul odor, thick yellow‑brown discharge and inflammation point to «otitis». A microscopic smear of the ear content confirms the diagnosis.
How can you determine whether a dog has otitis or ear mites? - in detail
Otitis and ear‑mite infestation produce overlapping symptoms, but careful observation and laboratory testing separate them.
Typical clinical signs include:
- Redness or swelling of the ear canal; more pronounced in bacterial or fungal otitis.
- Dark, waxy debris with a foul odor; characteristic of chronic infection.
- Light‑colored, crumbly material that resembles sand; typical of mite infestation.
- Intense scratching or head shaking; present in both conditions, but may be more severe with mites.
Diagnostic procedure:
- Obtain a thorough history: recent swimming, grooming products, or exposure to other animals can predispose to infection, whereas contact with infested dogs suggests mites.
- Perform visual inspection: use an otoscope to assess canal erythema, edema, and type of discharge.
- Collect a sample: gently flush the ear with sterile saline, then retrieve fluid on a clean swab or cotton tip.
- Conduct cytological examination: place a drop of the sample on a microscope slide, add a drop of diluted potassium hydroxide, cover with a coverslip, and examine under low‑power magnification.
- Presence of bacteria (rod‑shaped) or yeast (budding cells) indicates otitis.
- Detection of motile, oval organisms measuring 0.2–0.3 mm confirms ear mites.
- If cytology is inconclusive, submit the sample for culture and sensitivity to identify specific bacterial or fungal agents.
Additional tests may be warranted when systemic disease is suspected: complete blood count, serum biochemistry, or imaging of the skull to rule out underlying allergies or anatomical abnormalities.
Treatment selection depends on the diagnosis. Antimicrobial or antifungal ear drops address infection, while topical acaricides eradicate mites. Both conditions benefit from regular ear cleaning to remove debris and reduce inflammation.