1st May 2006

My dog shakes her head a lot as if her ears itch; could it be ear mites?

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Question:

My dog seems to have ear mites. She shakes her head a lot, as if her ears itch - even though her ears are clean. What can I do for them?

Answer:

Signs of irritation in the ears, such as shaking the head and scratching, should never be ignored, as diseases of the ear can quickly become chronic and cause permanent damage if left untreated. Dogs with folded hairy ears are particularly prone to bacterial infections, due to poor air circulation and a perfect moist warm environment. The ear mange mite is a common cause of ear infection in both cats and dogs and responds well to early detection and medication. You should consult your vet, even if the ears appear clean, as there is a real risk of an animal developing an aural haematoma by continually shaking its head. This causes blood vessels to burst in the ear which form a blood blister that requires surgery to drain. Other sources of irritation can be caused by a overgrowth of hair or by the presence a foreign body such as a grass seed. Your vet will be able to quickly establish the root of the problem and determine what care and treatment, if any, is required.