The Dreaded Ear Mite

Does your pet scratch its ears a lot? Is there black gunk in your pets' ears. It is probably due to an ear mite infestation.

Ear mite infestations can lead to serious infections and balance problems as the mites affect the inner ear.

What to Do?

I have used mineral oil in the past, a few drops in each ear, and some various commercial preparations. Sometimes I put some advantage flea drops(1 drop on each finger and apply to inside of ear near the top or middle of the inside of its ear) on my finger or appropriate safe flea killer like frontline(I don't like to use any other brands beside advantage and frontline because of possible toxicity issues).

Just In Case

When you use this for the first time, try to do it during hours when the vet is open, just in case there are toxicity issues that arise, although I don't expect any problems, if you use either frontline or advantage(I prefer advantage for ear treatment). Also be careful applying it to the inside of the pets ears, don't let the pet jerk its head and get any of the stuff on your finger on its' face if possible.

One Drop On The Inside Of Each Ear

Remember this is one drop we are talking about, touched to the inside of each ear near the top of it, or midway. The drop will flow down slowly and kill those pesky ear mites. My pets have had a lot more relief from this method than anything else I have tried. I tend to use the same flea drop dose that I am giving to the pet and just use a drop out of it on my finger for each ear before putting the rest of it on the pet according to directions.

Works for Me

Remember this is what I use, and I am not a vet, just a pet owner, and it works for me. I got this idea from online discussion boards. This saves me a lot of stress and oil slung in my face from pets shaking their heads from having oil put in the ears.

I still use oil in their ears, I just alternate oil dosing with either frontline or advantage(dog and cat formulas are different so use the appropriate one for your pet).I don't have to put this in their ears very often and they are a lot happier.

Ear Mite Life Cycle

If you prefer to use the oil, realize that ear mites have eggs and rehatch every few days, so you will have to continue to treat the pet weekly until all of the lifecycles have hatched and grown up. Then monthly to catch any stray ear mites that might happen to get into the pets' ears.