Ear mites in Bulldogs are not rare. Those pesky microscopic mites can affect all breeds of dogs and cats.
Scientifically known as Otodectes Cynotis Mites, ear mites are very common but easy to treat. But complications may still occur when a Bulldog, who has ear mites, has an immune hypersensitivity reaction – leading to the intense irritation of the ear.Ear mites are very contagious and can be transmitted from dogs to dogs and even between different animals.
Ear mites live in the surface of the ear canal’s skin lining. They survive by piercing the dog’s skin surface to eat. This causes the dog’s ears to get irritated and inflamed. If left untreated, it may lead to bacterial infections and deafness.
Symptoms of Ear Mites in Bulldogs
Just like in other dog breeds, Bulldogs with ear mites may display the following symptoms.
- Excessive scratching of the ears,
- Excessive shaking of the head,
- Restlessness,
- Reddish and sometime swollen insides of the ears,
- Reddish-brown discharge in the ears,
- And foul-smelling odor in the ears.
Bulldogs generally have what we call rose ears but they are still prone to this condition.Floppy-eared dogs are more prone to ear mites and infections because ventilation in their ears is restricted and this makes their ears better breeding grounds for bacterial growth.
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Because ear mite bites can be very itchy, infected dogs have the tendency to shake their heads more often than they should. The excessive shaking and scratching leads to rupture of blood vessels in the ears and soft swellings of the ear flap, which is a condition we call ear hematoma.
Treatment of Ear Mites in Bulldogs
Your Bulldog’s veterinarian will have to confirm if ear mites are the root of your Bulldog’s ear problems. He will do this by getting a sample of the ear wax. He will then look at the sample under the microscope to see if ear mites are present.
If ear mites are found, your veterinarian will then prescribe some medications that are directly applied in the ear. There are also spot-on treatments applied directly on the skin — like Advocate — that are effective against ear mites. If your Bulldog has thick build-up of wax in his ears, you will have to clean it first with an ear cleaning solution. Depending on your Bulldog’s case, the vet may also prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines to treat the infection.
Your Bulldog will immediately feel relived as soon as treatment is given. It is important to complete the full course of treatment to make sure that the ear mites are gone and the infection is treated.
Preventing Ear Mites in Bulldogs
A weekly ear cleaning can help stop the presence and increase of ear mites in your Bulldog’s ears. If your Bulldog or any of your dogs have recently been treated for the parasite, then it’s a good idea to wash and clean the surroundings including toys and beddings.
