Ear mites are tiny parasites, barely visible to the human eye that can set up home in your cat’s ear canal. If you think your cat has an ear mite problem, don't delay in making an appointment with your vet - the problem will only get worse without the appropriate veterinary treatment.

These can be common in cats, so we're heading into your cat's ear canal to find out how to treat ear mites, possible ear mite infections, how to get rid of ear mites and how to prevent ear mites.

How Do Cats Get Ear Mites?

Ear mites Otodectes cynotis is the most common type of ear mite to affect cats with the resulting disease being known as Otodectes disease or Otodectic mange. The mites are spread by direct contact with an infected animal (the ‘host’) and are common in young and outdoor cats.

They can also be picked up from the environment - including pet’s bedding, carpets, etc. The mites feed on skin debris inside your cat’s ear canal causing inflammation and irritation. Other secondary ear infections can develop. The mites can also migrate to other parts of the body causing skin irritation (called pruritic dermatitis).

Ear mites are highly contagious, so if one pet in the household has ear mites, then all pets can be affected, and they’ll all need to be treated. It is extremely unlikely that these mites will affect humans.

Symptoms of Cat Ear Mites

Symptoms of ear mites in cats can be head shaking. Cats with ear mites may shake their head from side to side and no matter how hard they shake their head or paw at their ears, the mites won’t be dislodged.

Sometimes, a cat may shake their head so vigorously that they cause a haematoma (a burst blood vessel which causes swelling of the ear flap). If this happens, your cat may need an operation to have to have the swelling drained. If they have pruritic dermatitis elsewhere on their skin, they’ll be scratching there too.

At an early stage, many cats may not show any outward symptoms of ear mites. But ear mites can be very painful so if your cat has become miserable and is off their food or sits with their head tilted to one side, ear mites might be the cause.

The mites are too small to see (they’re tiny, white dots on a microscope) but you may notice a dark, almost black waxy discharge in your cat’s ears. Also watch out for any secondary bacterial infection that may develop, e.g. a smelly discharge from their ears.

How to Check If Your Cat Has Ear Mites

If your cat has itchy, painful ears, check to see if there is a dark red-brown discharge from their ears (often described as being like ‘coffee grounds’ and is a mixture of ear wax and mite debris). Also look out for any generalised skin irritation and redness or swelling around the ears, any head tilt or loss of appetite.

Does My Cat Definitely Have Ear Mites?

While ear mites are the most common cause of ear disease in cats, there are a few other conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as a foreign body (such as a grass seed) in the ear or another type of infection. Some cats are more prone to ear infections and cats with allergies may also have more ear problems.

Your vet will want to confirm the presence of ear mites before deciding on treatment so may use an otoscope to examine the insides of your cat’s ears. Your cat may need to be sedated first if their ears are very sore to touch. Your vet may also take a swab of the ear discharge to identify the mites under a microscope.

Cat Ear Mite Treatment

It’s unlikely that ear mite infestation will clear up on its own and the longer you leave it, the more damage can occur to your cat’s ears. You should make an appointment with your vet as soon as you see signs of ear mites.

When one cat in a household has ear mites, it’s necessary to treat all in-contact cats and dogs, even if they don’t seem to be affected. This will prevent re-infection. The mites have a three-week life cycle in which eggs hatch to adult mites, which then lay more eggs. This means that the treatment must be continued for the recommended length of time even if your cat’s ears seem better after a few days.

The good news is that ear mite treatment in cats is simple. A single 'spot-on' anti-parasite treatment applied to the back of the neck should get rid of those bothersome mites. Repeat treatment every month will prevent re-infection. Ear drops can also be given to treat the mites.

Your vet may want to clean your cat’s ears first to clear any debris and excess wax so that the drops reach the mites more effectively. You may also be asked to use an ear cleaner at home. If there are any secondary bacterial infections, antibiotics may also be prescribed.

Ear mites are frequently diagnosed in cats but are easy to treat. If you think your cat might have an ear mite infestation, don’t delay in seeking veterinary help. If left untreated, permanent damage to your cat’s ears can occur. Always follow your vet’s recommended course of treatment and ear mites will no longer be at home in your cat’s ears.

Everypaw Cat Insurance

If you have an inkling your cat has ear mites, Everypaw’s Cat Insurance can help protect your kitty cat, as well as your pocket if they need vet treatment. If this is a new condition your cat has suffered, our policies can give you that extra peace of mind that the vet bills and treatment they need will be looked after.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis

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