How can I tell if my dog has ear mites?

Answer by  kak (488)

Ear mites look like black specks in the dog's ear. If the dog is scratching its ear(s)often then it may have them. The ear may become reddened due to inflammation.

Answer by  traumatised (3285)

The best thing to do is consult a trained vet - first by phone, and then in person if that is his/her recommendation. You won't get a proper diagnosis otherwise.

Answer by  donnahiggy (71)

Puppies will scratch around their ears and shake their heads the amount of each determines how bad it is. With more advanced mites, the ear canals will bleed and either fresh or dried blood will be present in the canal. It will look like coffee grinds. If mites travel outside the ear the animal may scratch that area also.

Answer by  Feasel (1766)

Check inside the ear. Usually when animals have mites they will have a black waxy build up. Check if your dog is also scratching his ears a lot.

Answer by  bubbyboy (9929)

Ear mites is the material that looks like dirt in an animal's ear. A cloth soaked with peroxide can be used to wipe the ears and remove the mites.

Answer by  Hammy (244)

The best way to tell is to smell the ear. If there is an infection or mites the ear will smell rancid or like yeast. If there is no problem the ear won't have much of a small at all. There will also be blackish red gunk inside the ear.

Answer by  amyj (282)

The only way to know for sure that your dog has ear mites is to look at the discharge under a microscope and visualize the mites. However, ear mites often cause a very itchy infection that has dark brown or black discharge. This dischage can be mistaken for yeast infection but does not have the characteristic "doughy" smell of yeast.

Answer by  ybforz (83)

Gently lift your dogs ears. Mites can be hard to see, but you can usually see little specks all over the ear. If you suspect mites go to a veterinarian.

Answer by  herzog (555)

You can take a Q-tip and swab the scurf in the ear canal. Look at it with a magnifying lens. You should see the bugs moving on the swab tip.

Answer by  Roland27 (16334)

He will probably also be scratching his head and other places a lot. When he scratches he will be crying or whimpering.

Answer by  hagenal (22)

Your dog may rub his face or other areas. You may notice some bleeding. The mites would cause intense itching.