Comprehensive Guide to Common Dog Ailment Treatments: Ear Mites, Skin Diseases, Gastroenteritis All Covered

Having noticed the outrageous prices of some pet medications—especially certain imported ones—where simple treatments for common ailments can cost several hundred yuan per bottle, I find this highly excessive. I believe other pet owners also find it unaffordable.

Shared Experiences on Medications for Common Ailments

Below are some medications for common dog ailments.

Ear Mites

Ear mites are a highly contagious parasitic disease that easily affects household pets such as dogs and cats, spreading rapidly. In veterinary medicine, they are also known as “ear itch mites.”

Ear itch mites are very persistent. They typically hide in the pet’s ear canal to feed, secreting a special toxic chemical that irritates the nerve endings, causing intense itching. If the skin breaks and becomes infected, it can lead to purulent otitis externa and media, even encephalitis. Affected pets experience significant pain and may suffer hearing damage.

Ear mites only transmit among pets and do not affect humans.

Symptoms:

• Foul odor from the ears; the dog constantly scratches its ears.
• Excessive earwax in the inner ear flap (even with regular ear washes, wax remains).
• Severe cases exhibit redness and warmth in the inner ear; milder cases lack redness and heat.

Treatment:

Nine out of ten dogs are prone to ear mites (especially droopy-eared breeds). Many owners purchase expensive ear cleaning solutions with disappointing results.

**The most effective treatment is **Ivermectin, an inexpensive insecticide—just a few yuan per bottle (reusable, only a few drops per application), with pricier options around 20+ RMB.

Mites reproduce every seven days. For mild cases, apply once weekly. Do not overdose to avoid toxicity: place a few drops in the ear, then gently massage so the Ivermectin coats the entire ear.

For severe cases with redness and warmth, apply every three to four days until resolved.

Canine Urethritis

Another common pet disease. I once heard someone bought an imported medication for over 300 RMB for a cat with urethritis (effectiveness aside, the cost alone……).

For dogs with urethritis, use human medications “Guiling Sanjin Tablets” and “Furazolidone”, three times daily: two Guiling Sanjin Tablets and one Furazolidone per dose. These human oral drugs are safe for dogs and minimally irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

Take continuously for at least seven days.

While symptoms such as hematuria may improve within one or two days, complete a full seven-day course (i.e., seven days after bleeding stops).

Dosage above is for my 8 kg dog; adjust according to your dog’s weight.

For stubborn cases not improving after several days, add Amoxicillin (small packet or tablet) each time, or administer Penicillin injection morning and evening (my 8 kg dog receives 2.5 ml per dose, i.e., half an ampoule).

Canine Mite-Induced Dermatitis

Again, Ivermectin is most effective. For mild cases, topical application works (though dogs may lick it off). For persistent or severe cases, inject.

Use a 1 ml syringe to inject around the affected skin in multiple spots. Lift the skin slightly—similar to a penicillin skin test—to keep the medication at the skin surface.

Note precise Ivermectin dosing to avoid toxicity.

Inject 0.03 ml per kg of body weight (e.g., for an 8 kg dog: 0.03 × 8 = 0.24 ml).

Total injection volume is for the whole body; do not exceed this amount.

Repeat every 5–7 days. New hair growth may take over two weeks.

Canine Fungal Dermatitis and Alopecia

Common in dogs living in humid environments, presenting with hair loss and itching. Fungal alopecia differs from mite-induced hair loss: fungal lesions appear shiny and hairless, whereas mite lesions show scales, scabs, and pustules.

Diagnose accurately before treatment.

Treatment is straightforward:

Purchase Daktarin Cream (~10 RMB) and Clotrimazole Cream (~2 RMB). Mix equal parts and apply three times daily.

Folk Remedy: Aged Vinegar Soak

Introducing a remarkably effective folk remedy for fungal skin diseases: aged vinegar soaks. I have personally tried this with excellent, fast, and safe results—no side effects. Highly recommended by pet owners!

Simply soak the affected area in aged vinegar (for foot infections, soak the paws; for body infections, soak the body).

Twice daily, soak for 1–2 minutes. Once dry after an hour or two, apply the Daktarin-Clotrimazole mixture (1:1) three times daily to consolidate the treatment.

This vinegar remedy relieves intense itching within two to three days. It is safe and convenient (store-bought vinegar, ~2–3 RMB per bottle, harmless if ingested by the dog).

After walks, pour aged vinegar into a small bowl, soak the paws, then pat dry—no need to rinse. Paws are cleaner than water wash: dust settles at the bottom.

Principle: Vinegar’s acidity disrupts the alkaline environment fungi need to survive.

Humans use a similar remedy for athlete’s foot: southern Chinese elders soak their feet in warm vinegar for ten days for better results than store-bought ointments.

Note: Vinegar soaks address symptoms rapidly but do not eradicate the infection. Follow with the 1:1 cream mixture three times daily, and shave the hair for better topical absorption and ventilation.

Canine Eczema (Allergic Dermatitis)

Common in long-haired dogs in humid regions. Recently, two pet owners reported their dogs developed eczema. Eczema is not easy to cure and requires prolonged treatment. The first step after diagnosis is changing the dog food. A veterinarian recommended:

Noble Emu Oil Lamb & Rice Puppy Food, formulated specifically for eczema.

Then apply an eczema ointment.

Human eczema ointments are often expensive with small quantities—inefficient for large dogs.

I recommend Baby Eczema Ointment (2.50 RMB per tube, large size) available on Taobao—cost-effective and effective. Apply for an extended period to consolidate the cure.

Additionally, thoroughly blow-dry the coat after each bath, especially for long-haired dogs in humid climates to prevent moisture-related issues.

Canine Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, or diarrhea, is common, especially dangerous for puppies.

Treatment: Administer one small packet of Amoxicillin and one dose of Gentamicin Sulfate injection twice daily (or three times if needed).

These two medications usually resolve gastroenteritis in a few days. If not, use the Gentamicin injection for better absorption.

Keep the dog warm at night; provide a crate to avoid sleeping on cold floors, which can worsen the condition.