Ear Mites? Yeast? I don't know ....

[valentina]

Hi everyone

Last night I noticed Curtis has some little hard bumps in his ear when I was touching them. On closer inspection, they are like little black specks. So I cleaned his ear. Definetly blood in there and debris. And I cleaned out about 6 of these black specks ... but some of them are like embedded in the skin (sorry to use this analogy, but kinda like an ingrown hair). My boyfriend said to get the tweezers, but I knew it would hurt him. So I just cleaned out the ones I could, and now there are still about 6 still in his ear.
They didn't appear to move. I have no idea what these are.

I don't know if they are ear mites.

I currently don't have him on any flea medication, but when I took him to the vet for desexing, they told me "we will check because usually under anaesthetic the fleas will jump off the skin if he has any" ...he didn't have any.

But I am concerned now. I am starting him on flea control - even though he doesn't have flea - also to cover ear mites, in case he has those.

Does anyone have any ideas to what these little black specks might be?

I have noticed he has been scratching lately.

I feel like a bad mummy. :-(


Can anyone recommend any good ear cleaners?

Also something that I can used to clean between the folds of skin on his face?

[Spud]

So the vet already has looked at the ears and told you they were not fleas or mites? He should have had some sort of answer IMO. I am pretty sure Lisa will have some pretty good advice for you. I had an ear infection for Spud, it was yeast and the vet gave me an ear cleaner that did wonderful for a decent price.

For the folds on his face I use fragrance free baby wipes, again I believe Lisa has some great advice there also. Perhaps she should write a book :)

[shaynapug]

I would have him checked. Medicine is different for different things!

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Can you take a good, clear picture of the bumps? Especially with a fingertip in the picture for scale.

For the nose roll and ear cleaning I use the following recipe:

1/3 c. isopropyl alcohol (70%) don't get the extra strength 90% stuff.
1/3 c. white vinegar
1/3 c. witch hazel
5-10 drops tea tree oil.

Mix up in a pull top bottle and dribble onto Q-tips or make up remover pads and wipe out the nose roll.
Squirt directly into the ears, rub the base of the ear to work it deeply. Let the dog shake, then swab out the ear with dry Q-tips.

Take care,
Lisa

[valentina]

Thanks everyone for replying.

I didn't have the vet check his ears. I have only noticed these black specks in the last few days since his return.

I will try revolution as I know this covers eat mites too.

I will get onto taking a picture straight away.

Thank you.

[valentina]

[IMG] curtis ear by valentina72012, on Flickr[/IMG]

[valentina]

I underestimated when I said there were about 6. There are more.

They are only in his left ear.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Almost like an ear tattoo! I've never seen anything like that, and I've seen plenty of yeast and ear mites too, I would have the vet take a look.

Take care,
Lisa

[valentina]

thank you to everyone who responded.
After visiting my local pet store ... the very very friendly and knowledgable girl there said "it could be a tattoo, is he desexed?" ....

"yes i desexed him four days ago!!!"

i called the vet hospital and it is a tattoo.

He is a very healthy boy and happy boy, so I generally don't check him ..... but this has been a wake up call to me, to be a lot more attentive to him.

It was four days until I saw it, and it was my boyfriend who noticed it.

:-((((( I'm such a bad mummy!!!!

This has been very humbling and educative for me.

[Lu Ci and Ri Ki]

Live and learn, right? Who would have thought a tatoo?