How to treat ear mites in cats
Unfortunately, ear mites are not always immediately recognizable because they first deposit deep in the inner ear. To start cleaning the ears, dip a cotton ball in warm water, fold the cat’s ears back a little, and remove the visible, mostly dark brown to black, parts of the ears.
Three systems to get rid of ear mites in kittens and cats
Coconut oil, olive oil, or an over-the-counter ear-cleaning solution available at pet stores may be used to clean the ear. Several drops of the ear-cleaning solution or warm oil should be gently massaged into the ear canal.
How to solve for ear mites in cats.
Even an old-time remedy—baby oil—can do the job. A few drops placed in the affected ear several times daily for a month or more will usually knock the mites out.
Follow-up Treatment for Mites, Along with Ongoing Maintenance of a Cat’s Ears
Ear mites can pass from one pet to another very quickly. If your cat interacts with other pets or animals that have ear mites, there is a chance that they will also get it.
You are cleaning your cat’s ears – with a minimum of yelling from both of you. Your veterinarian may recommend a schedule of regular ear cleanings to help cats with ear mites, cats undergoing treatment for ear infections, and even cats at risk of recurring ear problems. If a cat develops an ear mite infestation, they may experience the following
Symptoms:
Dark crusty and waxy discharge from the ear which looks like coffee ground ears. Red and swollen ears due to excess wax and irritation. Creating a black, dry ear discharge which will sometimes give off a foul odor
If you use a soft cloth to wipe the dog’s ears, you may be able to see the mites in the residue. They appear as small white dots. Some symptoms to look out for are brown or black waxy ear discharge and a strong odor from the ear.
Ear mites and yeast infections have some common symptoms, so it will be difficult to distinguish between them. Puppies are generally more prone to ear mites than adult dogs.
Ear mites attack the ear canal and surrounding skin. The most important symptoms of ear mites in dogs are :
- I was scratching around the ears, head, and neck.
- Skin irritation.
- There is shaking of the head, the presence of dark and waxy ear discharge (like coffee grounds), and an unpleasant odor from the ears.
Ear mite treatment for cats
Dealing with ear mites in cats can be tough, and it’s important to consider how they impact your cat’s overall well-being. Keeping up with regular cat health and hygiene practices can make a big difference in preventing and managing these issues effectively.
Ear Mites in Cats
✓ It is a common external parasite
✓ Cats infested with ear mites usually scratch their ears excessively and shake their heads
✓ Even the body itself itches and may draw blood as it itches.
✓ Some cats will shake their head so much that a hematoma forms inside the ear (a blood clot in the ear due to a ruptured blood vessel).
✓ A concern is that when cats scratch their ears, there is a potential for injury and bruising of the ear drums.
✓ Cats of any age can be infected with air mites.
✓ It is a highly harmful disease that can be passed from parents to newborns.
Symptoms:
✓ Itching in ears, head and neck
✓ Sometimes general itching all over the body
✓ Excessive scratching in the ears and around the head
✓ Nodding frequently
✓ Thick red-brown or black crusts on the ears
✓ Rubbing and scratching behind the ears
✓ Crusting and scales on neck and tail
Diagnosis:
✓ Keep your veterinarian fully informed of your cat’s health and signs of illness.
✓ Your vet to confirm your cat’s illness
A complete physical on your cat, including standard lab tests, such as a blood profile, urinalysis, and an electrolyte panel will be tested.
✓ A dermatologic examination with skin scrapings taken for laboratory analysis will be performed.
✓ Your cat’s vet can use an otoscope to detect mites where the ear mites are directly Visible in the ear.
Treatment:
✓ Since this infection is very contagious, all animals of the same family should be treated simultaneously, and the surrounding environment should be spotless.
Ear mite medicine for cats
Treatment normally begins with thoroughly cleaning the cat’s ears in order to decrease any wax and debris which can shield the mites from topical medications. There can be many topical, oral, as well as systemic it
A single dose of NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-On for Cats is highly effective in treating ear mites in cats.
Credelio (lotilaner) has an oral formulation for cats.
An older and not FDA-approved, involving the use of a powerful anti-parasite drug, ivermectin. A single dose of NexGard SPECTRASpot-On for Cats is highly effective at treating ear mites in cats. Monthly treatment with NexGard SPECTRAprotects cats against ear mites and mange, as well as fleas, ticks, heartworms, lungworms, and intestinal worms (including tapeworms
However, an old-fashioned remedy — baby oil — can do the job. A few drops placed in the affected ear several times daily for a month or more usually knock the mites out.” Along with subsequent treatment for mites and ongoing maintenance of a cat’s ear.
For more detailed information on ear mites and treatment options, you can refer to PetMD’s guide on ear mites in cats.
Can humans get ear mites from cats?
Ear mites can definitely be passed to other pets that come in contact with infected animals and their environment. However, these parasites are not zoonotic, meaning they cannot pass from animal to human and vice versa.
Infection by the mange mite Sarcoptes scabiei, Scabies is another zoonotic external parasite of the skin of cats. Although not as common because of flea infestations, these mites can be passed from infected cats to humans, where they burrow into the skin and cause itchy, raised lesions.
Mites are microscopic, eight-legged parasites that can live on animals, including dogs, cats, and humans. To lay eggs, they burrow into the skin or hair follicles.
Home remedy for ear mites in cats
In the morning, you can remove dead mites and cat mite excreta from the ears with a cotton ball. Repeat this treatment until the cat’s ears are completely clean and mites-free. As a preventive measure against cat mites, you can apply neem oil on the cat’s neck once or twice a month.
Cat ear discharge is a thick, waxy substance that prevents particles from entering the inner ear. A healthy cat’s ears will have little ear wax, as well as the discharge will be a light brown. The healthy discharge will have no odor and be accompanied by a pink, clear inner ear canal.
Cat ear mites vs. wax
For mild eye discharge caused by irritants or allergens, gently cleaning your cat’s eye with a warm, damp cloth may provide some relief. However, remember to consult your veterinarian before using human eye drops, saline solution, or any medication.
