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Mites
Otodectes cyanotis ( Latin for "Picker of the Ear" ). is the mite found in the ears of dogs and cats. These mites generally live along the surface of the ear canal but can occasionally be found on other parts of the body and in the general environment. In many cases diagnosis is easy: Just take a peek with an otoscope and you can see the little, white mites scurrying about. In other cases, you may see the characteristic, black, crusty wax in the ear canals and on the ear flaps, but not see the mites. Ear mites spend their entire life on the host. Adult mites mate and lay eggs in the ear canals and on the surrounding fur. The eggs hatch to form larvae which then molt to become nymphs, which molt again to form adults. They never leave the animal.
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A good indication that your Westie has mites, if there is fur loss, and
he is constantly licking or scratching an area. Remember, these mites cannot
always be seen with the eye, and microscopes are needed to see them.
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