The result is a moist, warm ear canal that is a perfect environment for organisms to grow. Ear mites are parasites that often can cause otitis externa . However, the incidence is much lower than often thought. In my experience, less than 10 percent of all ear problems in dogs that I have treated are the result of ear mites. Ticks and fleas are other examples of parasites commonly found in canine ear canals.
Ear mites can be problematic, however.
He said his old setter would sleep by the fireplace. Suddenly it would jump up yelping and begin to run around the room in circles. After several minutes of hysterical commotion, the dog would lie down again and go back to sleep. After pondering the situation, I examined the dog's ears and found a heavy infestation of ear mites. It appeared that as the heat from the fire warmed the dog's ear canals, the mites would became agitated and began to move around.