Does your dog have otodectic mange? Not sure what that is? Otodectic mange is the technical term for an infestation of ear mites in dogs, those caused by a mite known as Otodectes cynotis. Otodectic means that something relates to a mite of the genus Otodectes and mange is a word for a disorder caused by mites.
Should you, as your dog's owner, be afraid of catching these mites from your pup too? Well, let's learn a bit about this condition, its signs, and treatments and find out in the process!
Again, otodectic mange is caused by a mite known as Otodectes cynotis. This mite can actually affect plenty of other animals, including cats, foxes, and ferrets. These ear mites are very contagious between animals! This is important to remember for later.
But should you be worried, as a person? Well, technically, Otodectes cynotis is zoonotic. That is to say, these mites can be passed on from an animal and cause a problem in a person. That being said, this isn't a common occurrence, and the infestations are usually temporary in people and might not require any treatment. But you should always see a doctor just in case.
Regardless, though, you'd want to avoid being infested by disgusting mites, right? In that case, it's important to spot the potential signs of ear mites in dogs and get your pet treated right away!
Some of the potential signs of otodectic mange may appear alone or in any combination of the following, depending on circumstances:
In some cases, it is possible that the animal will not have any obvious signs of the presence of ear mites. Again, keep that in mind for the next section.
It's important that you always consult a veterinarian prior to treating ear mites on your own. That's because an ear mite infestation might lead to the rupture of the animal's ear drum. In this instance, if the wrong medication is poured into the dog's ear, the pain will be unbearable, and the dog may permanently lose its hearing. That's why a veterinarian will check to make sure the ear drum is intact prior to prescribing or using any medication.
That being said, treatment of otodectic mange consists of several possible options, depending on exactly what the veterinarian finds:
What's critical to note is that it's best to treat all animals in the household at the same time because, if you remember, this is a very contagious mite! There's the possibility that an animal in the household is asymptomatically carrying some ear mites. This means a dog that has been treated for them might become re-infected from the other animal once their treatment ends.
An infestation of ear mites in dogs is properly called otodectic mange. It's caused by a parasitic, highly contagious, and minimally zoonotic mite known as Otodectes cynotis. A dog may be an asymptomatic carrier of these mites, or an infestation may lead to the following signs:
Treatment of this condition depends on cleaning out the ears, using anti-mite medication, such as selamectin, and addressing any secondary issues, like bacterial infections and inflammation with the appropriate medication.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is for your information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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