The American Beagler Forum

What the best remedy for ear mites?

ivermectin

Injection: Two to Four Treatments

A newer treatment, which is not FDA-approved, involves the use of ivermectin, a powerful anti-parasite medication. Ivermectin is especially helpful for pets who will not allow direct treatment of their ears. Most ivermectin injectable protocols involve shots weekly or every two weeks. This is a highly effective method of ear mite eradication but there are some limitations. Certain breeds of dogs are sensitive to this medication and cannot take it. Certain individuals have similar sensitivities that cannot be predicted by breed. Injectable ivermectin is not approved for the treatment of ear mites in small animals.

Single Use Products

There are currently several prescription products available that reliably eradicate an ear mite infection with one single use, although a thorough ear cleaning is still needed to remove the wax and debris from the ear. These may be applied directly in the ear or to the pet's skin behind the shoulders.

The two current products that are applied directly in a cat’s ear canal are: Acarexx, a topical version of ivermectin; and Milbemite, a topical version of milbemycin oxime, the same active ingredient as in the heartworm preventive Interceptor. These products are approved for cats only and are available only through veterinarians. A single dose should be all that is needed to clear the infection.

As for topical products that go behind the pet's shoulders, there are two that control ear mites (as well as fleas and intestinal worms: Revolution®, which uses selamectin as an active ingredient, and Advantage Multi® (called Advocate® outside the U.S.), which uses moxidectin as an active ingredient. Both selamectin and moxidectin are ivermectin derivatives. With either product, a single application is used on the skin; the product is absorbed into the body where it kills numerous other parasites and then returns to the skin to be concentrated. When these products are used as regular flea control, they have the added benefit of on-going ear mite prevention. Revolution® is primarily a flea control product but is approved for both dogs and cats for the treatment of ear mite infection. Advantage Multi® only has approval against ear mites in cats. Both products are available by prescription only. In some cases a final ear cleaning is needed a month or so after the product has been applied to remove any dried or old ear wax still left in the ear.

See general information on Revolution® from the manufacturer.

Thanks for the imfo, I'm going to try the ivermec.

are you sure it is EAR MITES --did you take swap of and look at it under a mic. --It could be yeast infection