Ear Mites – Treatment for those Cat Critters

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are very small crab-like parasites found in the ears of animals. These parasites are very common in cats, especially those who go outdoors. Cats that are affected by ear mites will become uncomfortable and itchy. Ear mites are easy to see, too. A cat that has ear mites will have what looks like oily black dirt inside the ear. These parasites live in the ear canal, just on the surface. The ear mites feed on tissue and debris inside the ear.

If you notice your cat scratching their ears or shaking their head and see dirty ears, it is likely that you cat is suffering from ear mites. It is important to treat your cat for these parasites. They are highly contagious among cats and if you have multiple cats, it can spread quickly. If one of your cats gets ear mites, carefully check all of your cats for this problem. Also, ear mites can be passed to and from other species including dogs. Ear mites can also affect humans, so treatment is essential.

Ear mites can cause inflammation in the ears. If they are left untreated, these pesky parasites can lead to bacterial and yeast infections and can rupture the eardrum. Many times, ruptured ear drums in cats can lead to seizures and eventually deafness. If you suspect that your cat has ear mites, take your cat to the vet. There are treatments that can help your cat get rid of the ear mites.

The best prevention of ear mites is to keep cats indoors and to treat your cat regularly with flea prevention. There are several types of flea prevention treatments that your vet can prescribe. These are usually given to your cat once a month and will kill fleas, eggs and prevent ear mites. Treating just the ears is usually not enough to get rid of ear mites. Because ear mites can survive off of the cat, it will be necessary to treat your home, the cat’s fur and the environment, such as bedding, where your cat spends a lot of time.

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