Ear mites are a common external parasite that can trigger severe itchiness in cats, causing them to scratch their skin and ears. Our Ceres vets list the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for ear mites in cats in today's post.
Ear Mite Infections in Cats
Ear mites are part of the arachnid class of animals. An extremely contagious external parasite, they live on the surface of the ear canal, and sometimes of the surface of a cat's skin.
If you've got good eyesight, you may be able to notice these tiny microscopic creatures moving around on your cat's skin if your feline friend has contracted this parasitic infection. Eight-legged ear mites have a noticeably smaller pair of hind legs. If you're curious to see what they look like, use your favorite search engine to find ear mites in cats pictures. The thumbnail image for this post also shows a buildup of black wax inside the ear of a cat with ear mites.
While ear mites are relatively easy to treat, they can significantly irritate our cats and cause serious skin and ear infections if left untreated. When our vets see cats with suspected ear infections, we often discover that ear mites are the underlying cause. Human ear mite infections are rare and are not generally thought to be a health risk.
What causes ear mites in cats?
You may start looking for information on ear mites and wonder how these parasites get into your cat's ears to cause so much misery in the first place. This highly contagious parasite can spread from one infected animal to another. While they are most common in cats, they can also feed off of dogs and other wild animals. If your cat spends time outside or in boarding facilities and comes into contact with another animal or surface (like bedding or a grooming brush) contaminated with ear mites, they can easily contract an infection.
Shelter cats are also at increased risk for ear mite infections, so check your newly adopted cat for signs of this parasite and schedule a routine exam with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Ear Mites
The most common signs of ear mites in cats are:
- Pus in your cat's ear canal
- Waxy or dark, crusty discharge resembling coffee grounds in your cat's ear canal
- Itchy ears (and subsequent scratching)
- Inflammation in the ear
- Head shaking
How to Treat Ear Mites in Cats
Many a pet owner who has dealt with ear mites in their furry friend has likely frantically typed 'How to get rid of ear mites in cats' into their favorite search engine, looking for solutions.
Fortunately, when it comes to ear mites in cats, treatment is relatively straightforward. If your vet diagnoses your cat with ear mites, an anti-parasitic medication will be prescribed. These medications are available in oral or topical form. The veterinarian may also clean your cat's ears with a cleaning solution designed for this purpose and prescribe a course of antibiotics depending on the severity of the infection.
In addition, your veterinarian will check for and treat any secondary infections that may have resulted from the infestation. Your veterinarian will almost certainly recommend that you return in a week or two to ensure that the mites have been removed and that no additional treatment is required.
Because ear mites are highly contagious, your veterinarian will almost certainly prescribe medication to prevent the infestation from spreading to other household pets.
Our vets do not recommend using at-home remedies for cat ear mites. While some methods work against mites, many homemade treatments do not kill the mite eggs. Thus, even if the mites appear to be gone, the infestation will return once the eggs hatch.
How to Prevent Ear Mites in Cats
By scheduling a regular checkup and ear cleaning with your veterinarian, you can help prevent ear mites from establishing a foothold. Clean your cat's kennel, bedding, and house weekly to minimize the risk of an infection occurring at your residence. Your veterinarian at American Pet Clinic can make parasite prevention products recommendations for your cat.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.