Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are a common problem in adult dogs and puppies. The mite lives in and around the ear and causes intense irritation and a dark wax production. This leads to a secondary ear infection. Many products are available to treat the mite, but no product is effective against the eggs. Thus, re-treatment is necessary to kill newly hatched mites and end the life cycle (3 week life cycle). Adults and puppies should both be treated to eliminate any and all sources of infection. When treating the ears, it is a good idea to also dip the dog at the same time – ear mites are known to crawl out of the ear when ear medication is given and dipping will help eliminate the mites that have escaped to other parts of the body.