Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Determining if your cat has an ear mite infection
• Part 2 of 3: Treating your cat with ear drops
• Part 3 of 3: Prevent reinfection
• Tips
• Warnings

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are microscopic parasites that can infect a cat's ears. They prefer to be in the warm, dark area of ​​the ear canal where they can feed on wax, skin flakes and tissue moisture. These mites cause irritation and itching, causing the cat to scratch the ears. Scratching can cause problems such as skin infections or a swollen outer ear. With such ear problems, you should take your cat to a vet. Diagnosing an ear mite infection early and treating it quickly can prevent many problems and ensure a healthy, happy cat.

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Part 1 of 3: Determining if your cat has an ear mite infection

1. Inspect for the presence of excess wax. The presence of ear mites will cause the ear canal to produce excessive amounts of wax. Such ear wax is usually dark brown or black in color and can sometimes resemble waxy debris in the ear.
   • A cat with healthy ears will have a small amount of wax. If you notice anything in the ears that resembles coffee grounds or dark, dirty spots, it is a sign that your cat may have an ear problem.
   • The cat's ears produce this wax in response to the irritation of the ear canal.
   • You may also notice a foul odor from the ears.
2. See if your cat scratches or shakes its head over and over again. Ear mites cause irritation, so the cat is likely to scratch its ears repeatedly with one of its back legs or shake its head frequently.
   • The cat's nails can damage the skin, which can lead to additional discomfort, bleeding and in some cases bacterial infections.
   • A cat suffering from ear mites for an extended period of time may experience inflamed polyps (bumps or growths) in its ear canal and blood blisters on its auricles. These are caused by the constant rubbing and scratching of the ear.
   • In addition, the external part of the ears can become inflamed and produce pus. The cat may also experience a ruptured eardrum, which will result in balance and other issues that require the assistance of a professional veterinarian.
3. Observe the cat's posture. A cat with ear mites often hangs its head to one side. This is normally a sign of an ear discomfort and also means that there is more to it than just ear mites.
   • Regardless of the cause, take your cat to the vet for a checkup if it hangs its head to one side.
4. Also check your other pets. If you have several pets and you suspect that one of them also has ear mites, you should check all ears. You should do this as ear mites are contagious and can be easily transferred from one animal to another. This can happen, for example, if they sleep together or maintain their coats close to each other.
   • If you treat only the infected animal, it is quite possible that other pets are carriers of the parasite, but simply show no symptoms, act as a kind of reservoir that encourages reinfestation.
   • If one pet suffers from ear mites, you will most likely also need to treat all other pets living in your home to get rid of the infestation.
5. Take your cat to the vet. If you have observed any of the symptoms described above, you should take your cat to a vet for a check-up. The vet will use several techniques to determine the cause of the problem.
   • The vet will inspect the cat's ear canal using an otoscope. An otoscope is a medical instrument similar to a flashlight with a magnifying glass that you can use to look deep into an ear canal. The vet may be able to immediately determine the presence of small white mites as they will try to move away from the light of the otoscope.
   • Some vets will take a small amount of wax from a cotton ball and then smear it on a microscope slide. The ear mites are often immediately visible under the microscope.
   • The vet will also check that the eardrum is still intact before proceeding with further treatment. This should be done as the eardrum acts as a barrier. The eardrum prevents ear drops from entering the middle ear. If it does, it could upset the cat's balance.

Part 2 of 3: Treating your cat with ear drops

1. Purchase the correct medication. Once the vet has made the diagnosis and also determined that the eardrum is still intact, he or she will prescribe ear drops that are safe for cats and effective for killing ear mites.
   • Many pet stores also sell ear drops to treat ear mite infections, but such medications are generally less effective and may even harm your cat. It is advisable to only use medications recommended for use by your veterinarian.
2. Read the accompanying instructions before use. Carefully read the label or insert for instructions on how often to apply the drops. The frequency of treatment and the number of drops you should administer depend on the exact medication you have been prescribed. Most medications require you to administer the drops once a day for seven to ten days.
3. Prepare everything for treatment. Gather all supplies on a table or other flat surface before administering the medication.
   • Supplies include a large towel, which you should spread over the table top to keep the cat from slipping, the ear drops and some cotton wool.
   • If possible, enlist the help of a friend, who can help you hold your cat so that you have both hands free to administer the ear drops.
4. Clean the cat's ears. You should clean your cat's ears before administering the medication. It is wise to consult a vet about this before administering the drops.
   • Buy an ear cleaner with a label that says the product is safe for cats and then follow the included instructions.
   • If excessive amounts of ear wax are present, it could act like a cocoon around the ear mites, shielding them from the droplets.
5. Administer the drops. Place the cat on the table with its head in your direction and have your assistant gently hold the animal by its shoulders so that it cannot move. Unscrew the dropper bottle cap and instill the required number of drops into the cat's ear canal.
   • Gently rub your fingers and thumb over the cat's ear. This will mix the drops with the wax and ensure that the medication runs deeper into the ear canal.
   • If the cat resists treatment with the medication, you may be able to wrap the animal in a bath towel so that it can no longer resist.
6. Wipe away the wax. Try to remove any excess wax using cotton wool.
   • Never push the cotton wool into the ear canal. If the cat can move freely during this step, you may accidentally push the cotton wool too deep into the ear, which will hurt the cat.
7. Repeat these steps. Repeat the steps outlined above daily for the prescribed number of days. If the cat still seems to be experiencing irritation after treatment, you should go back to the vet.
   • Stop the treatment and contact your vet if the cat starts tilting its head during treatment.
   • Some cats are sensitive to the active ingredient in ear drops and can develop balance problems due to the medication, even if their eardrums are undamaged. If this problem occurs, contact your vet immediately.

Part 3 of 3: Prevent reinfection

1. Treat all cats with selamectin. Selamectin is a powerful anti-parasitic agent available for both dogs and cats. This medicine can help prevent infestations and infections from mites, fleas, heartworms and some intestinal parasites. If you have multiple cats, treat them all with a selamectin-based anti-parasitic agent such as Revolution (or, in the UK, Stronghold).
   • Selamectin will prevent your cat from getting infected again and will also prevent your other cats from getting the parasites.
   • Selamectin should be administered in the neck of the cat. This medicine should never be administered into the ear.
2. Take dogs to the vet. Selamectin is not approved for treating ear mites in dogs. If you have a dog that could become infected with ear mites from your cat, take it to the vet for preventative treatment.
3. Protect the cat's paws. Spray fipronil on the cat's hind legs, this is an insecticide that kills ticks, fleas, lice and other parasites. This treatment will instantly kill mites that have clung to the cat's coat when it scratches itself.
   • This will then prevent reinfestation if the cat scratches an uninfected ear while there are still mites on its paw.
   • Fipronil has been added to many medications, such as Frontline, Effipro, Barricade and EasySpot. Ask your vet what treatment he or she recommends and where you can buy it.

Tips

• Rest assured, ear mites in cats cannot infect humans.
• You can also treat your cat's ear mite infection with a selamectin-based anti-parasitic agent, as described above to prevent recontamination. After selamectin is applied to the skin, it will be absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to the ear canal. This will kill any ear mites that feed in the ear canal on wax, dander and tissue fluid. A single administration of the agent should be enough to get rid of the ear mite infection. While this approach is very convenient, ear drops medications may be preferable as such medications contain anti-inflammatory and antibiotics that help against secondary bacterial infections.

Warnings

• Ear mite infections can have serious consequences if left untreated. It can result in damage to the ear canal and eardrums. Ear mites are very contagious and can be passed from cat to cat or cat to dog and vice versa. It is therefore very important that you treat all your pets at the same time.
• The remedies available at regular pet stores are often ineffective and can even be dangerous for your cat. They could even lead to serious neurological complaints.