Ear mites can be a painful and frustrating condition for dogs like the Boxer partly because it takes a while before owners realize there is something going on with the dog’s ears besides a little shake of the head. Ear infections can sometimes be confused with ear mite infestations as well, which can also delay treatment. It’s important to watch your Boxer’s symptoms closely and describe them to your vet. Excessive scratching and head shaking are signs of ear aches and mites. However, additional symptoms of ear mites may include scratching and pulling the hair out of the ears or shaking the head so much that a hematoma or broken blood vessel in the ear may occur. Take your Boxer to the vet at the first sign of ear irritation so that the condition can be examined and diagnosed quickly. Common treatments include antibiotics and ear drops. For more details, talk with your Diamond Bar, CA vet.