Ear mites, or Otodectes cynotis, are microscopic parasites that can infect cats' ears. They love to live in the warm and dark environment of the ear canal, where they feed on dead skin. The mites cause irritation and itching, causing the cat to continually scratch its ears, scratching them. This causes various problems, such as skin infections or swelling of the auricle, and a veterinarian's intervention becomes necessary. It is important to stop the infestation immediately and treat the problem as quickly as possible to avoid subsequent problems and guarantee the cat a healthy and happy life.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Determine if the Cat has Ear Mites
Step 1. Check for excessive ear wax
Ear mites cause the lining of the ear canal to produce excessive amounts of earwax, which is usually a dark brown or black color and often looks like waxy grime.
- When the cat has healthy ears, the amount of earwax is minimal. If you see a substance similar to coffee grounds or black spots of dirt, the cat probably has a health problem in the ears.
- The ears produce earwax to defend themselves from the aggression of the infestation.
- Also, diseased ears give off a bad smell.
Step 2. Check if he scratches or shakes his head
These mites cause irritation and the cat keeps scratching its ear repeatedly with its hind paw and / or shakes its head frequently.
- With the claws the cat can break the upper layer of the skin, causing even more pain, bleeding and, in some cases, even a bacterial infection.
- If your cat has suffered from ear mites in the past for a long time, then inflammatory polyps (lumps or growths) and blood blisters in the pinnae have probably formed in the ear canals due to constant rubbing and scratching..
- In addition, the external ear can become inflamed and produce pus, or the eardrum can rupture, resulting in balance problems - and more - that require the assistance of a veterinarian.
Step 3. Observe the cat's posture
In the presence of parasites in the ears, the cat often tends to keep its head on one side. This is a general sign of ear discomfort that is not limited to mites.
Regardless of the cause, if you notice that the animal often keeps its head turned to one side, you should have it examined by a veterinarian
Step 4. Check for other pets
If you have more than one pet and are concerned that one of them has this infection, check everyone else's ears as well. This is because parasites can easily spread between animals, if they sleep together or if they take care of each other's fur.
- If you just treat the infected animal, others may have the parasite, but show no symptoms, and they could reactivate a new infection within a short time.
- If an animal has ear mites, it will most likely be necessary to treat all other animals in the house to clear the infection.
Step 5. Take your kitty to the vet
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important that your cat is examined by the doctor. The vet can use several techniques to diagnose the problem.
- Your vet will check the ear canal with an otoscope, an instrument similar to a flashlight, which can magnify the images and allows you to look deep into the ear canal. The veterinarian can check the actual presence of small white mites that quickly escape from the light of the instrument.
- Some vets collect a sample of earwax on a cotton ball and smear it on a microscope slide, where the mites are easily seen.
- In addition, the doctor checks that the eardrum is intact before deciding on the appropriate treatment. This is because the eardrum acts as a barrier to prevent the ear drops from entering the middle ear, which could compromise the animal's balance.
Part 2 of 3: Cure the Cat with Ear Drops
Step 1. Get your medication
Once the diagnosis is made and the eardrum is confirmed to be intact, the vet will prescribe ear drops that are safe for the cat and effective for killing ear mites.
You can sometimes find these products in pet stores, but they are often less effective drugs and can even be harmful to the cat. You should only take the medication indicated by the veterinarian
Step 2. Read the instructions
Read the leaflet carefully to know the exact dosage and directions for applying the drops. The frequency and number of drops to be administered depend on the specific drug, but are generally used once a day for 7-10 days.
Step 3. Prepare all the necessary materials
Before treating your cat, put everything you need close at hand on a table or other flat surface.
- You must have a large towel to spread out on the table (to prevent the cat from slipping), ear drops and some cotton balls.
- If you can, ask for the help of a friend to hold the animal still so that you have a free hand to apply the drops.
Step 4. Clean the cat's ears
Before giving him the drug, his ears may need to be cleaned. In this regard, it is important to ask your vet if it is appropriate for the specific case of your pet.
- Purchase an ear cleaning product that clearly states on the package that it is safe for cats, and follow the instructions on the label.
- If there is an excessive amount of ear wax in the ears, it could envelop the mites like a cocoon and protect them from drops.
Step 5. Apply the drops
Place the cat on a table with its head facing you and ask the assistant to gently press the cat's shoulder down to prevent it from moving. Remove the cap from the vial and with the dropper put the set amount of medication into the cat's ear canal.
- Do a gentle massage with your fingers and thumb to help the drops mix with the earwax and go deeper into the ear canal.
- If the cat resists, try wrapping it loosely in a towel to immobilize it.
Step 6. Clean your ear
With the cotton swab, remove the ear wax that has detached from the surface of the ear.
Never push the cotton balls too far into the ear canal. If the cat moves at this time, she may accidentally push the cotton too deep and feel pain
Step 7. Repeat the procedure as needed
Do this every day and for the number of days your vet prescribes. If the cat still shows signs of irritation at the end of the treatment course, take him to the vet again for further investigation.
- Stop treatment and contact your vet if your cat develops a tilted head posture (stiff neck) during therapy.
- Some cats are sensitive to the active ingredients contained in the ear drops and may develop balance problems due to the drug, even if their eardrums are not damaged. If you notice these symptoms, notify your vet right away.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing New Infections
Step 1. Treat all your cats with selamectin
It is a powerful active ingredient that paralyzes and kills many parasites of dogs and cats, easily available on the market. Helps prevent mite, flea, filariasis and some intestinal parasites infestation. If you have multiple cats, apply a topical selamectin treatment, such as Stronghold, to all of them.
- Selamectin prevents the cat from becoming infected and prevents other cats in the house from being attacked by parasites.
- The drug should be applied to the back of the animal's neck. Never put it in your ears.
Step 2. Take any dogs you have to the vet as well
Selamectin treatment is not indicated for dog ear mites. If you are concerned that the infected cat may transmit parasites to the dog, you must take the latter to the veterinarian for preventive treatment.
Step 3. Protect the cat's paws
Spray his hind legs with a product based on fipronil, a topical treatment that kills ticks, fleas, lice and other parasites. It is an insecticide that can kill any mites on the fur that have been transferred there due to the constant scratching.
- This treatment also stops other possible infections in the bud when the cat scratches a freshly cleaned ear with a paw that may still have mites.
- Fipronil is found in numerous medications such as Frontline, Effipro, and others. Get advice from your vet on the best treatment where this active ingredient is contained.
Advice
- If your cat is not cooperating, try wrapping him in a towel before administering the treatment to keep him still and avoid difficulties.
- Don't worry for your health, cat ear mites are not transmitted to humans.
- To avoid new infections, you can also treat these parasites with a topical selamectin medication, as described above. Once applied to the cat's skin, this active ingredient is absorbed into the bloodstream, then also reaches the ear canal, where it kills the mites that feed on the dead skin residues. A single application should be sufficient to completely eliminate the infection. While this method is effective, ear drops are always a better choice because they contain anti-inflammatory substances and antibiotics that can help secondary bacterial infections.
Warnings
- Ear infections due to mites can be serious if left untreated, resulting in damage to the ear canal and eardrum. Ear mites are highly contagious and can be transmitted from cat to cat or cat to dog and vice versa, so it is important to treat all pets simultaneously.
- Non-prescription treatments are generally less effective and can even be dangerous for the cat, as they can also cause severe neurological damage.
