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Care for cat ear mites: signs, symptoms and treatment
Ear problems in general are rare in cats, but among the conditions that do occur, ear mite infestation is frequently diagnosed. Although it can’t jump or fly, an ear mite, also known as otodectes cynotis, can crawl. And if one of these minuscule parasites gets into your cat’s ear, settles in, and starts reproducing, it can do major damage unless it’s promptly dislodged.
The typical outward signs are fairly obvious: the cat’s outer ear is likely to be inflamed, and the cat will hold its ears close to its head, scratch its ears almost incessantly, and shake its head frequently, as if trying to dislodge a troublesome object. they’re also detectable by the mess they make inside an infested animal’s ear canal: a dark, sticky, smelly accumulation of wax and mite debris on which the little creature thrives.
“If the newly acquired mite is hanging out on a cat’s bottom or belly,” says William Miller Jr., VMD, professor of dermatology at the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine, “the animal will groom it.” with its tongue and swallow it, but the parasite is safe if it can reach the ear canal, where the cat’s paw or tongue cannot reach it.”
ear mites are almost microscopically tiny, “about the size of the head of a pin,” says dr. miller. but, he points out, it is possible to see their small, fast-moving bodies with the naked eye. ear mites are extremely contagious, he points out, moving from cat to cat in close contact and eventually reaching the ear. the infestation is most common among cats outdoors, whether they are fighting or snuggling affectionately.
If an ear mite infestation is suspected, the cat owner should seek veterinary attention without delay. In addition to relieving the discomfort of the animal, the treatment can stop the infection derived from the mutilation of the ears and face that results from aggressive and incessant scratching. Veterinary care can also prevent a serious ear disease called otitis externa, an infection of the outer ear that, if left untreated, can progress to the middle and inner ear and damage the eardrum, which can permanently affect hearing and hearing. animal’s sense of balance.
A veterinarian can easily diagnose a suspected ear mite infestation using an otoscope, a flashlight-like instrument used to explore the depths of the ear. If the cat is unwilling to allow this instrument near its sensitive ears, the vet will use a cotton swab to gently collect a sample of debris from the ear for conclusive microscopic examination.
Treatment usually begins with a thorough cleaning of the cat’s ears to remove any wax or debris that may protect the mites from topical medications. “There are many topical, oral, and systemic agents out there,” says dr. Miller notes, “and most, like ivermectin, are highly effective. even an old remedy, baby oil, can do the job. a few drops placed in an affected ear several times a day for about a month will usually suffocate the mites.”
post-treatment for mites, as well as ongoing maintenance of a cat’s ears, says dr. miller, can usually be done at home, as long as the owner has received proper instructions from a veterinarian.
