Kid is shaking her head like something is wrong in her ears.

[EFerrari]

She's a Lab so I have to check in there frequently. Her ears aren't red or inflamed inside and don't look especially "dirty" but it's possible that she has mites and I just can't see anything yet. It's been so long since a dog of mine had them, I don't remember if this is a trip to the vet or if there is OTC stuff for mites.

[TorchTheWitch]

1. I would call the vet first

It could be ear mites but it could be a lot of other things, too. I think there is ear mite treatment that can be purchased over the counter, but if you're uncertain what it is I'd at least talk to the vet first and see if the dog should be seen or if they recommend over the counter treatment at home first to see if that works before going in. But since there's other things it could be like mange or a bacterial infection or fungal infection I'd err on the side of a trip to the vet so they can be sure. I also remember that ear mites are really contagious like fleas, so if one pet has them all other pets in the home also need to be treated whether they have any symptoms or not. I tend to err on the side of caution also because I like being able to nip something in the bud before it has a chance to get worse, and thus more expensive to treat.

Some interesting info here that might help...
http://www.dogearmites.net/dog-ear-mites-treatments.php

I almost wish I hadn't read all that... now I'm totally creeped out by ear mites.

[michaz]

2. 2 weeks ago my Border Collie mix woke me up with the flapping of her ears.

I waited till the next day and she seemed okay. Next night she was at it again. I used some medication I had for yeast for the ears and the next day she seemed okay again, that night she started in again so I used it again. I called the vet and took her in. She had an awful yeast infection and she is just finishing up her new med they gave me for her. Best to have the vet check her out.

[EFerrari]

3. Thanks.

[Mosby]

4. Did you smell them? (the ears)

You can tell a lot from the smell. A bacterial infection will really stink, while a yeast infection will smell, well, like yeast.

mites will leave a lot of brown spots in the outer ear area, kind of looks like instant coffee but smaller.

[EFerrari]

8. Doesn't smell bad. No "dirt" but maybe a whiff of yeastiness.

Great tip!

[Curmudgeoness]

5. If you use Revolution for fleas,

it is supposed to control ear mites too. There is over the counter ear mite meds, but I would take her to the vet if you can afford the trip instead of trying to do it yourself----since you are not sure what the problem is.

[roody]

6. It is too early for dried foxtails in the ears.

[EFerrari]

9. You'd be surprised. We still have dry stuff here

from last summer. I think it's only rained a few times and lightly. The weather is tropical, so strange.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Too much chance of some nasty stuff. I'd go to the vet and not chance mistreating (which = . . . .

. . . . not treating).

[EFerrari]

10. You're right.

Oh, well. He can weigh her while she's there. She's been on a diet and I'm sure he thought we wouldn't follow through. Maybe he'll give me a discount per pound lost.

[Texasgal]

11. Has it been wet in your area

lately?

Quincy had a horrible fungal ear infection that caused a host of other issues.

Check her paws too... if they smell funky it could all be connected.

Just an FYI from someone that just went through all this recently!

Hope she feels better soon!