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Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are very small crab-like parasites found in the ears of animals. These parasites are very common in cats, especially those who go outdoors. Cats that are affected by ear mites will become uncomfortable and itchy. Ear mites are easy to see, too. A cat that has ear mites will have what looks like oily black dirt inside the ear. These parasites live in the ear canal, just on the surface. The ear mites feed on tissue and debris inside the ear.
If you notice your cat scratching their ears or shaking their head and see dirty ears, it is likely that you cat is suffering from ear mites. It is important to treat your cat for these parasites. They are extremely contagious among cats and if you have multiple cats, it can spread quickly. If one of your cats gets ear mites, thoroughly check all of your cats for this problem. Also, ear mites can be passed to and from other species including dogs. Ear mites can also affect humans, so treatment is necessary.
Ear mites can cause inflammation in the ears. If they are left untreated, these irksome parasites can lead to bacterial and yeast infections and can rupture the eardrum. Often, ruptured ear drums in cats can lead to seizures and eventually deafness. If you believe that your cat has ear mites, take your cat to the vet. There are treatments that can help your cat get rid of the ear mites.
In order to prevent ear mites, you can keep your cat indoors and use regular flea treatment. Your vet can prescribe a number of different flea prevention methods. Most of them are applied monthly and are successful in preventing mites, as well as killing fleas and their eggs.
When you take your cat to the vet for ear mites, there is a kind of prescription ear drop that can be used to kill the ear mites. This is generally applied to your cat's ears two to three times a day for several days. If you've never treated ear mites before, it would be good to have a vet demonstrate how it is done by treating the cat the first time. Then you can do the last few applications at home.
The prescription ear drop will kill the ear mites and will also prevent a second outbreak. If the cat already has an infection caused by the mites, an injections can also be given by the vet.
Ivermectin is another treatment for ear mites in cats. This is a rather new way to treat ear mites. The FDA, however, does not approve this treatment for treating ear mites. Many vets find Ivermectin to be very effective for treating ear mites but should tell you that it is not officially approved for this use. This medication is the same medicine used to treat heartworms in dogs.
There is a treatment that can be done at home if you are extremely careful with your cat's ears. This treatment should not be used though if the ear mite outbreak has created an ear infection. If your cat has an ear infection, he or she will usually have a strong odor in the ears. For treatments at home, use a small amount of baby oil or mineral oil to clean out the cat's ears. Put a small amount of the oil in an eyedropper and drop into the cat's ears. Next grasp the base of the ear between your thumb and finger and rub together for a about 5 seconds. Then take a clean tissue and gently wipe out the cat's ear out. Do not try to stick your finger too far down the ear canal. This treatment should be continued twice a day until the cat's ears are clear of the black mite.
Before beginning any treatment for ear mites, it's important that you contact your vet for advice. Most likely, she will want to examine your cat before deciding which treatment to use. In the case that your cat has a serious problem, like an ear infection, he would need to be treated differently than he might if he had mites. Generally, you will be asked to bring your cat back to the vet after you have finished treatment for the mites. This will ensure that the mites are all gone and helps to prevent another infestation. |