Fly Bite Ear Dermatitis
Hi, my dog
has been having ear trouble lately, and his ear is red with bumps which
may be blisters, and they are like peeling, and farther down in his ear,
he has brown spots, like scabs but not bleeding. and his ear is a little
sensitive. Do you possibly know what it is?
Bumps and scabs on a dog's ear may indicate fly bite dermatitis. Biting flies attack the delicate and sparcely haired sking of the ear. The problem is worse in the summer months when flies are plentiful.
Some flies like flesh flies, face flies, houseflies and blowfiles are attracted to blood. Keep your dogs ears and other areas free of blood. Bathe your dog at least weekly. Keep him indoors if possible. Outdoor fans keep many flies away. You can use fly trap bags, called Big Stinkies in my area. Hang them in the far corners of your yard to attract the flies away. Pyrethrin sprays and wipes are safe and partially effective. They must be applied every two to six hours, which is often inconvenient. Horse feed and tack stores often have better products than regular pet shops. I like the pyrethrin barn mister, that sprays an area automatically every fifteen minutes. Holiday and VIP pyrethrin fly ointment works on ear tips.
Bandages trap moisture and make wounds more attractive to the flies, so let wounds breathe. Consider fly masks and light covers to wounds if severe. Most of these flies breed in feces and garbage. Try to find the source and eliminate it.
Many cities have pest control abatement departments which may help clean up your neighbors and other areas.
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