Otodectic mange, or ear lice infection, is a common problem in dogs. Ear lice feed on fluid in the ear canal, and usually attack the vertical and horizontal ear canals. However, fleas can also survive on other parts of the dog's body, such as the ears, head, neck, soles of the feet, around the anus, and the base of the tail. Ear lice are easily transferred between dogs, especially in dogs that live in the same environment or care for each other. There are 3 treatment methods to get rid of ear lice from your dog: topical treatments, targeted products, and injections. Each method is described in detail below, starting with Step 1.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Topical Treatments to Get Rid of Ear Lice
Step 1. Check your dog's ears
Even when using over-the-counter medications, you should consult your veterinarian to make sure your dog really has ear lice. In addition, your vet will examine your dog to make sure his eardrums are in good condition before starting treatment. This will greatly determine whether the dog needs to be treated or not.
If the eardrum is torn, the drugs given may enter the middle ear and cause a toxic condition called ototoxicity. Symptoms appear in the form of neurological disorders, such as head tilt, horizontal nystagmus (eyeball swinging sideways), poor balance, and vomiting. These effects can be serious and difficult to treat
Step 2. Choose over-the-counter products that contain pyrethrin or permethrin
These ingredients, which are extracted from the chrysanthemum flower, belong to the pyrethroid group. It is a neurotoxin, which means it blocks nerve transmission in insects.
- Regardless of how they act on insects, topical pyrethoids are safe for dogs. This is because the drug is difficult to absorb from the skin into the bloodstream. In addition, even if part of the drug is absorbed, pyrethoids are 2,250x less toxic to dogs than to insects.
- Many over-the-counter products that contain these pyrethoids are available in the market. One type of treatment is eradimite, which contains 0.15% pyrethrin. The recommended dose is 10 drops into each ear.
Step 3. Alternatively, consider a prescription topical treatment
Prescription products usually contain ectoparasiticide (parasitic) drugs such as pyrethrin, thiabendazole, and monosulfiram. Several other products have been proven to eradicate ear lice, but do not contain ectoparasiticide substances; how it works is unknown.
- One of the advantages of prescription products is their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anesthetic properties. All of these substances can overcome and relieve sore and inflamed ears.
- Ectoparasiticide is a pesticide that kills parasites found on the surface of the body. Most prescription treatments belong to this class of drugs.
Step 4. Use the treatment of your choice as directed
Put the recommended dose of ear drops into each ear of your dog. Do this by following the directions on the packaging. Gently massage the dog's ears and allow a few minutes for the drops to penetrate the earwax, then wipe off the excess with a cotton cloth. This method should be repeated every two days until the dog's symptoms subside.
- You may need to be treated for a full three weeks (these three weeks are the life cycle of ear lice). However, if there is no improvement after a week of treatment, you should reevaluate the diagnosis.
- Topical products will not only kill the lice, they are also anti-inflammatory and antibiotic, meaning they will relieve irritation and treat secondary bacterial infections.
Step 5. Keep your dog away from other dogs after treatment
If the medicine is ingested by another dog licking your dog's ear, there is a possibility of poisoning. Therefore, quarantine your dog after you treat him. Do this until the medicine dries.
Signs of poisoning include drooling, muscle spasms, irritability, and, in severe cases, full body convulsions. If you see these signs in another pet, keep him in a dark, quiet room to limit stimulation, and seek advice from a veterinarian
Step 6. Bathe the puppy with an insecticidal shampoo for added protection
When a dog scratches its ears, the fleas may move to the soles of its paws. When there is an active infection, you should bathe your dog weekly with an insecticidal shampoo (such as Seleen) to reduce contamination of the coat. If the fur is contaminated, reinfection is possible.
Method 2 of 4: Using Targeted Treatment Methods
Step 1. Use a targeted treatment containing lambectin or moxidectin
Selamectin and moxidectin are derivatives of ivermectin (which is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug) and have been shown to be very effective at getting rid of ear lice. Both types of derivatives are prescription products, and should only be administered by a veterinarian. The way it works is to keep the parasite from working by intervening in its nerve tract. This then paralyzes the parasite and eventually dies.
In particular, lambectin is very effective at getting rid of ear lice. This drug works specifically by stimulating the release of gamma butyric amino acid (GABA), which paralyzes the tick by stopping the nerve transmission of its muscle fibers. Products containing lambectin are marketed in the UK under the trademark "Stronghold," and in the US as Revolution
Step 2. Ask for prescriptions for all the dogs in your neighborhood
Fleas can transfer easily to animals, and exposure to other dog ear fleas can quickly result in repeated infections, even if you treat the dog.
However, as an added rule, be aware that no medication should be given to pregnant or newborn dogs, and to puppies under 12 weeks of age. This is because the effect of the active ingredients on these groups of dogs has not been tested by manufacturers, so they cannot be verified as safe drugs
Step 3. Make sure you know your dog's weight
You should always weigh your dog accurately if you plan on using appropriate medication. The dose of the drug will depend on the dog's body weight, and "guessing" may result in an over or under dose. Specific details can be found on the medicine packaging. Make sure you read the packaging carefully, even if you've done flea removal before, as instructions for use and exact dosage may vary from product to product.
- Usually, the dose of moxidectin is about 2.5 mg for every kg of the dog's body weight (this drug is applied directly to the skin on the back of the neck).
-
Again, refer to the instructions on the packaging to learn the specifics. However, the above dosage is usually equivalent to:
- 0.4 ml of moxidectin for dogs weighing 1, 3-4 kg
- 1 ml for dogs weighing 4.1-9 kg
- 2.5 ml for 9, 3-24, 5 kg
- 4 ml for 25-39.9 kg
- Dogs weighing more than 39.9 kg should be given the appropriate combination of medications. Talk to your vet to determine the best combination for your dog's situation.
Step 4. Use the recommended amount of treatment
Its placement will depend on the size of the dog and the volume of the product. However, targeted treatments are usually worn on the back of the neck or between the shoulders. To do this:
- Make sure your dose is right. As noted above, you will need to administer the active ingredients in different concentrations, depending on the size of your dog, so you must be absolutely sure that you are using a dropper in the appropriate dosage for your pet's body weight.
- Separate the hair and place the tip of the pipette into the exposed skin.
- Squeeze the tube three or four times until the dropper is empty.
- Avoid touching the area for several hours after treatment. This is important to prevent the medicine from sticking to your hands.
Step 5. Repeat once a month
Some types of targeted treatments can be used once a month for repeated protection. If your dog has frequent ear mites, this may be an effective remedy for your problem. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best product you can use in this case.
Method 3 of 4: Using Injections
Step 1. As a last resort, ask your veterinarian about using injectable drugs
To date, there are no injections that have an official license for use in treating ear lice. However, Ivermectin injection for livestock may be an effective option in certain circumstances. As mentioned above, the Ivermectin family of drugs acts by limiting nerve transmission in arthropods, causing the parasites to paralyze and eventually die.
- Since ivermectin is not specifically designed for this purpose, ivermectin should only be used as a last resort for animals that are difficult to treat and are not effectively treated by traditional means.
- Ivermectin 1% (formula for livestock) is usually dosed at 200 micrograms/kg body weight, and is injected subcutaneously (one injection) within two weeks.
Step 2. Know when this should not be done
Ivermectin should never be given to Collie, Australian Shepherd, Long-haired Whippet, and Shelty. These dog breeds have a genetic mutation, which means drugs can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, causing CNS poisoning, intractable coma, and possible death.
- Certain dogs have their own sensitivities. Intolerance to this drug is by no means predictable by race – which is why you should avoid this alternative as much as possible.
- You are not advised to use it on small animals because this drug is very potent. If your puppy is small, this is not an option that you should consider, unless you have been approved by your veterinarian. Only owners of large dogs that are difficult to handle should go this way.
Method 4 of 4: Extra Precautions
Step 1. Clean your dog's ears regularly
Regular ear cleaning with a ceruminolytic (a solution used to soften earwax) will help reduce the level of wax that ear lice feed on. This makes your dog's ear canal a less attractive environment for fleas.
The frequency of cleaning will depend on how quickly your dog's ears get dirty. As a general rule, clean the dog's ears, and if the cleaner is very wet, clean the ears again the next day. Continue until the cleaner comes out of the dog's ears and is free of dirt. Then, clean weekly (or more regularly if needed)
Step 2. Recognize the signs of an ear lice infection
Pay attention to the symptoms so you can be aware of an early attack. Watch for signs of irritation around the head and neck, such as:
- Dogs wiggle and/or scratch their ears
- Itching around the head and neck
- Wet earwax that melts out and is dark brown in color and thick, in one or both ear canals
- Itching around the forehead and temples
- The dog tilts its head to one side
-
If you have several dogs in your household, they have thick, brown wet earwax
If you notice any of these symptoms and/or behavior, see your veterinarian immediately. He or she will be able to determine the cause of the symptoms and confirm the presence of ear lice
Step 3. Recognize that it can be difficult to spot fleas
Ear lice are tiny parasites, smaller than half a mm, and difficult to see with the naked eye. Lice are also light-phobic and tend to live in the ear canal, so you'll need a special instrument called an auroscope to see it.
Alternatively, the vet may take a sample of wet earwax from the infected ear and examine it under a microscope for adult fleas, larvae, or eggs
Step 4. Be aware that all dogs in the house may need to be cared for
As previously mentioned, ear lice are easily transferred between animals. To prevent your dog from re-infection, make sure you treat all the animals he came into contact with, or they could re-infect a tick-free dog.
