What are ear mites?
Ear mites (otodectes cynotis mites) are part of the arachnid class of animals. Commonly diagnosed in cats, this extremely contagious external parasite lives on the surface of your cat's ear canal, and sometimes on the surface of the skin.
While ear mites are tiny, you may be able to spot these eight-legged creatures as quickly-moving white specks if you've got good eyesight. Their hind legs are noticeably smaller than their front legs (find ear mites in cats pictures by using your favorite online search engine or taking a look at the thumbnail image for this post, which shows a buildup of black wax inside the ear of a cat with ear mites).
As you might imagine, ear mites can cause significant irritation in your feline friend's ears. They are relatively easy to treat. However, if they are left untreated, ear mites can cause serious ear and skin infections. When we see cats with suspected ear infections, we often pinpoint ear mites as the underlying cause. Human ear mite infections are rare and not generally considered a health risk.
Symptoms of Ear Mites
The most common signs of ear mites in cats include:
- Scratching at the ears
- Pus in the ears
- Inflammation in the ear
- Hair loss or irritation due to excessive scratching around the ears
- Dark, crusty, or waxy discharge from the ear that looks like coffee grounds
What causes ear mites in cats?
You may wonder how ear mites get into your cat's ears to cause so much misery in the first place. Because ear mites are highly contagious, they can easily spread from an infected animal to a new host. Ear mites are most common in cats, but they also afflict dogs and other wild animals. If your cat spends time outside or in boarding facilities and comes into contact with another animal or contaminated surface like bedding or a grooming tool, ear mites can easily be transmitted.
Shelter cats are also prone to ear mites, so check your newly adopted cat for them and book a physical examination with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
How to Treat Ear Mites in Cats
Many a kitty owner has likely puzzled over how to get rid of ear mites in cats. Fortunately, treatment for this parasite 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.
It is not recommended to use homemade remedies for cat ear mites. While some methods work against mites, many at-home 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 monthly ear cleaning with your veterinarian, you can help prevent ear mites from establishing a foothold. Establish a biweekly reminder to clean your cat's kennel, bedding, and house to minimize the risk of an infection occurring at your residence. Your veterinarian can make parasite prevention product recommendations for your cat.