EAR-MITE OF THE DOG. 11 



be badly affected for a very long time, and yet no other 

 sheep will catch the disease. The animals invaded by such 

 mites, show their presence by stamping, scratching and bit- 

 ing the affected parts. The remedies proposed elsewhere 

 for the treatment of the common scab of the sheep can be 

 used with good effect. 



THE EAR ITCH-MITE OF THE DOG. 



{Symhiotes auricularurn var. can is). 



As early as 1834 Hering of Stuttgart discovered an 

 ulcer in the ear of a dog caused by an itch-mite. Since that 

 time it has been found very often, and 

 the parasite is by no means uncom- 

 mon in Minnesota, where it affects all 

 breeds of dogs, but especially hunting- 

 dogs. Animals invaded by these para- 

 sites are, in extreme cases, seized by 

 convulsions, which are frequently mis- 

 taken for epilepsy, or even for rabies. 

 Dogs infested with such mites flap 

 their ears very often and scratch them 

 violently, showing the irritation pro- 

 duced by the parasites. They also cry 

 Fig.42.-Ear-tniteof dog, loudly from time to time,become angry, 

 Aft«Ne™'n.''' ^^^^^^^'^^ foam at the mouth, and ruu howliug 

 against obstacles, or turn several times in a circle and fall 

 down as in a fit. Such attacks are repeated and the animals 

 become unfit for service and sometimes deaf. If the auditory 

 canal is investigated it is found to be lined with a dark 

 and ill-smelling substance, in which are multitudes of the 

 parasites of all ages and sexes. This substance is some- 

 times so very abundant as to compress and push back the 

 membrane of the tympanum. The mites (fig. 42) look like 

 tiny white specks, oval in shape; they are very active, and 

 if the ear is carefully watched they may be detected running 

 about the skin. This activity no doubt greatly adds to their 

 irritating presence. 



Remedies. — Wherever this parasite is found the kennels, 



