Treament for ear mites (canker)

Re: Treament for ear mites (canker)

Jo Dyer — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 07:37:30 GMT

Being a Basset it's most likely that it's malasssezia causing the otitis externa (in my experience). Something in the Thornit is probably effective against yeasts by either making the environment inhospitable, or killing them directly. If it works then that's great, because it doesn't have antibiotics in it so no risk of resistance. However I don't think we vets could prescribe it as you only have lay peoples' anecdotal evidence of efficacy. Could be a licensing opportunity for some forward-thinking pharmaceutical company though, there's plenty of malassezia otitis around!

Re: Treament for ear mites (canker)

mariette asselbergs — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 15:29:54 GMT

Any oily fatty substance will kill a reasonable amount of mites by closing off their breathing tubes. That is why oil and vaseline work on footmites in chickens and old engine oil is used all over the world for pigmites. It is not 100% but probably works well in ears if you fill them up with the stuff.

Mariette

Re: Treament for ear mites (canker)

Rob Reid — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 15:15:31 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]what ingredient in Canaural or Surolan or Easotic kills ear mites? I can't see an acaricide in any of them.[/quote]

The datasheet for canaural I think says something along the lines 'clinical trials show it works but we don't know why.' I seem to recall the Dechra rep telling me a little while back that they reckon it's the sesame oil that forms part of the suspension that kills them.

Can't talk for Surolan or Easotic, I suspect as another suggested that drowning the mites has something to do with it.

Personally, I still use a spot-on product in conjunction with drops...

Re: Treament for ear mites (canker)

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:48:01 GMT

Iodoform is an excellent antimicrobial substance.

Funny thing about this "Thornit", they seem to be saying "It kills mites, and that's why it's so good at treating almost any ear condition or skin condition anywhere" , when it may not kill mites but it is very good at ear and skin conditions because its active ingredients are good antimicrobials and soothing.

Does it have a legal status? If not, surely the "cascade" does not apply because it's not a medicine?

Re: Treament for ear mites (canker)

Mark Hedberg — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 10:51:14 GMT

The talc probably helps keep the ear canal dry, which probably does nicely to decrease irritation; that's purely an anecdotal personal opinion but sportspeople use it to keep their hands dry (when climbing rocks you really don't want sweaty fingers!)

Boric acid crystals are supposed to kill by being so sharp they cut the carapace, causing at least fleas to die of dehydration. Odd but apparently true! (never heard of thornit, though!)

Re: Treament for ear mites (canker)

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:53:08 GMT

I found snake oil works quite well also.

Re: Treament for ear mites (canker)

nikki — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:56:59 GMT

I think the ear drops just drown them!

Camrosa is always being advertised in Horse and Hound as the wonder cure for every skin ailment in the world - slightly sceptical!

Re: Treament for ear mites (canker)

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:51:03 GMT

Dog men like it. Also something called Camerosa ointment for all skin problems.

Stephen - what ingredient in Canaural or Surolan or Easotic kills ear mites? I can't see an acaricide in any of them.

We have the cascade so licensed medicines need to be used first, even if Thornit is the bees knees.

Re: Treament for ear mites (canker)

nikki — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:49:06 GMT

Have lots of clients who swear by this stuff, including one of our vet nurses. Never tried it myself. Acid that kills the mites?