Ear Mites

If you suspect your pet has ear mites but you aren't sure, start with the ear test. Gently pull her ear flap downn and rub it over the opening. If her hind leg swings into action, it may be mites. An uninfected pet won't scratch. Another way to diagnose ear mites is to gently swab the ear canal with a cotton swab. Then rub the swab on a dark piece of paper. Shine a bright light on the paper and look for wiggly white specks. Mites are comfortable where it's dark and the light will send them into a frenzy of activity. Another way to spot mites is to look in the ear. Mites typically leave behind a dry, crumbly, reddish-black crust that looks like coffee grounds.