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Ear mites (scientific name: Otodectes cynotis) are extremely small parasites that can cause ear infections in cats. They thrive in dark and warm environments like the ear canal, where they feed on dead skin cells. Ear mites can cause irritation and itching, making the cat scratch its ears constantly. Persistent scratching can lead to skin problems such as inflammation or swelling of the ear edges, which requires immediate veterinary attention. It's essential to detect and treat ear mites quickly to prevent further issues and ensure your cat stays healthy and happy.
Steps
Identify if your cat has ear mites
Look out for excessive earwax. Ear mites often irritate the ear canal lining, causing an increase in earwax production. This wax is typically brown or black and can sometimes resemble normal cat earwax.
- Healthy cat ears usually produce very little earwax. If you notice something resembling coffee grounds or dark spots, it could indicate that your cat is dealing with a problem.
- Cats produce earwax as a defense against infection.
- You may also notice a foul smell coming from your cat's ears.
Watch for head shaking and ear scratching in your cat. Ear mites can cause irritation, leading the cat to scratch its ears persistently with its back legs and/or shake its head frequently.
- The cat’s claws can tear the skin, causing pain, bleeding, and even infection.
- Cats with long-term ear mite infestations are at risk of developing polyp inflammation (tumor-like growths) in the ear canal, and the ear edges may become swollen and bleed due to constant scratching and rubbing.
- Additionally, the outer ear may become infected and discharge pus, or the eardrum may rupture, leading to balance problems and other medical issues that require attention.
Observe your cat's posture. Cats with ear mites often tilt their heads to one side. This is a common sign that the cat is having an ear issue, not just ear mites.
- No matter the cause, you should take your cat to the vet if it consistently tilts its head to one side.
Check other pets in your household. If you have multiple pets and suspect one has ear mites, it's a good idea to check all your pets' ears. Ear mites spread easily from one animal to another when they sleep together or groom each other.
- If you treat only the cat with ear mites, other pets may carry the parasite without showing symptoms, meaning the mites can spread and cause reinfection.
- If one pet is infected, you should treat all pets in the household to prevent further transmission.
Take your cat to the vet. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should take your cat to the vet. The vet can diagnose the condition through various methods.
- The vet can examine your cat's ear canal with an Auroscope, a tool similar to a magnified flashlight, to look deep into the ear. The vet may be able to observe the tiny white mites moving in response to the light.
- Some vets may take a sample of earwax with a cotton swab and place it on a microscope slide for examination. Ear mites are clearly visible under the microscope.
- The vet may also check to ensure that your cat's eardrum is not damaged before treatment, as the eardrum serves as a barrier to prevent water from entering the middle ear, which could cause balance issues.
Treat ear mites with ear drops
Obtain treatment medication. After diagnosis and confirming that the eardrum is not damaged, the vet may prescribe safe ear drops that effectively eliminate ear mites in cats.
- Many pet stores sell over-the-counter ear mite treatments that are less effective and could harm your cat. It’s best to use only the medication recommended by the vet.
Read the medication label carefully. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label regarding the frequency of application. The frequency and dosage of ear drops depend on the specific medication, but generally, you can apply one drop to your cat's ear once a day for 7-10 days.
Prepare for ear drop application. Before applying the drops, gather all necessary supplies on a flat surface or table.
- You will need a large towel to prevent your cat from slipping, ear drops, and a few cotton balls.
- If possible, ask someone to hold the cat so you can focus on applying the medication with both hands.
Clean your cat's ears. Before applying the drops, make sure your cat's ears are clean. Consult your vet about the ear cleaning process before using the drops.
- You should purchase a cat-safe ear cleaning product and follow the instructions carefully.
- Be cautious if there is excessive earwax, as it could act like a cocoon around the ear mites, preventing the medication from reaching the ear canal.
Apply the drops. Position your cat facing you and ask someone to gently press down on the cat's shoulders to prevent movement. Remove the cap from the medication bottle and administer the prescribed number of drops into your cat's ear canal.
- Gently massage the cat's ear with your thumb and forefinger to ensure the medication penetrates through the earwax and reaches deep into the ear canal.
- If your cat resists during the application, you can wrap the cat in a towel to help keep it still.
Clean the ears. Use cotton balls to gently wipe away any visible earwax from the surface of the ear.
- Do not push the cotton ball into the ear canal. If your cat moves during the cleaning process, the cotton ball may easily slip deep into the ear and cause injury to your cat.
Repeat medication as instructed. Apply the ear drops to your cat every day for the prescribed duration. If your cat still shows signs of irritation at the end of the treatment, consider taking it for a follow-up visit.
- If the cat continues to tilt its head during treatment, stop the medication and contact your vet.
- Some cats may be sensitive to the ingredients in ear drops and may experience balance issues even when the eardrum is intact. Take your cat to the vet immediately if this occurs.
Preventing re-infection of ear mites
Use Selamectin for all cats. Selamectin is a powerful antiparasitic treatment available for both cats and dogs. It helps combat ear mites, fleas, heartworms, and certain intestinal parasites. You should apply a topical solution like Revolution (or Stronghold from the UK) containing Selamectin to all the cats in your household.
- Selamectin helps prevent re-infection and protects other cats from parasitic transmission.
- Apply Selamectin to the back of your cat’s neck. Do not apply it directly to your cat's ears.
Take your dog to the vet. Selamectin is not approved for the treatment of ear mites in dogs. If your dog contracts ear mites from a cat, take your dog to the vet for preventative treatment.
Protect the cat's paws. You should apply a topical Fipronil solution to your cat's hind paws to eliminate fleas, ticks, lice, and other parasites. This treatment directly targets the mites attached to the fur after the cat scratches its ears.
- This treatment helps prevent re-infection when the cat, with mite-contaminated paws, scratches its ears clean.
- Fipronil is found in several products such as Frontline, Effipro, Barricade, and EasySpot. It’s best to consult your veterinarian for advice on parasite treatments and trusted suppliers.
Advice
- Don’t worry too much, as ear mites in cats cannot be transmitted to humans.
- You can also treat ear mites with topical Selamectin to prevent re-infection. After being applied to the skin, Selamectin is absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the ear canal, where it kills mites feeding on debris. Using Selamectin alone can effectively treat ear mite infestations. Although this method is convenient, ear drops are still preferred for their anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties to prevent secondary infections.
Warnings
- Ear mite infections can become severe if not treated. A serious infestation can damage the ear canal and eardrum in cats. Ear mites spread easily and can pass from cat to cat or from cat to dog and vice versa, so it’s important to treat all pets in the household at the same time.
- Over-the-counter medications are generally less effective and dangerous for cats. These drugs can cause severe nerve damage to cats.
