Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preliminary Steps
• Method 2 of 3: Confirming the presence of ear mites
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent future infections
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Ear mites are parasites and, if left untreated, can cause infection and inflammation in the cat's ears. In severe cases, it can result in hearing loss, a ruptured eardrum, and even infection of other parts of the body. Ear mites are found both in cats that leave the house and those that do not leave the home walls. If you have multiple pets, the risk of infection is higher because ticks can be passed from one animal to another. To prevent the appearance of ear mites and, if necessary, start treatment on time, first of all, you should learn to determine whether the animal has them.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preliminary Steps

1. 1 Learn about the risk factors for ear mites. Ear mites can show symptoms similar to those of other diseases, so be aware of the risk factors. This will help you understand if your pet is at an increased risk of infection with ear mites.
   • Ear mites are crab-like parasites that can live in a cat's ears. They are very common and usually cause irritated and inflamed ears in cats.
   • Ear mites are very easily transmitted from one animal to another. In most cases, cats are infected with ear mites from other cats. The risk of infection is especially high if your cat goes outside or you recently adopted a new cat. If you leave your cat at a pet hotel for a while, it can become infected with ear mites there, but this is rare. In most of these establishments, animals are examined before admission, including checking whether they have ear mites.
   • Ear mites can appear in cats at any age, but small kittens and young animals are most commonly infected with them.They have weaker immunity, so it is easier for ear mites to gain a foothold on them than on adult healthy cats.
2. 2 Watch for ear mite symptoms. Find out what signs might indicate an ear mite infection.
   • The animal may experience ear irritation, constantly scratching and scratching them. The cat may also shake its head frequently and lose hair on its head.
   • Ear mites are also indicated by an increase in ear wax and hard black discharge from the ears.
   • Frequent scratching can cause sores and sores on the skin around the ears.
3. 3 Be aware that cats can experience similar symptoms with a variety of other ear conditions. Be aware of the possibility of other medical conditions and discuss this with your veterinarian when you visit your veterinary clinic.
   • Sometimes black discharge from the ears is associated with a fungal infection.
   • Ear inflammation and discharge can be caused by hypothyroidism.
   • Symptoms similar to those of ear mites can also occur with allergies, especially food allergies.

Method 2 of 3: Confirming the presence of ear mites

1. 1 Examine your pet's ears. Check your cat's ears at home before visiting your veterinarian. The more information you can give your vet, the better. While it is not recommended to try to diagnose yourself, it is best to do a preliminary examination of the animal.
   • In the presence of ear mites, an excess of sulfur is formed in the ears, and it has a dark shade.
   • Frequent scratching often causes scratches at the base of the ears and scabs.
   • When cats are uncomfortable, they can react very painfully to touching their ears. Ask a friend or family member to help you hold the cat while you pull its ears back to look inside.
2. 2 Visit your veterinarian. To find out the correct diagnosis, you need to show the cat to the veterinarian. This will help prevent misdiagnosis because ear mite symptoms are similar to those of some other conditions. In addition, the veterinarian will be able to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
   • It is very easy for veterinarians to diagnose the presence of ear mites, and usually a simple examination of the animal is sufficient.
   • The veterinarian uses an otoscope, a special instrument that illuminates the inner surface of the ear and magnifies it. Usually, when infested with ear mites, the veterinarian will see them.
   • If your veterinarian doesn't see ear mites, it doesn't necessarily mean that there are none. Your veterinarian may need to take a swab from your ear and check it under a microscope to make an accurate diagnosis.
3. 3 Be aware of the potential for complications. As a rule, ear mite infestation itself does not pose a serious threat, but sometimes, in the absence of timely and correct treatment, it leads to complications. Be aware of the possible complications that ear mites can cause.
   • If left untreated, ear mite infestation can lead to infection. In this case, the infection affects the ear canal, which can lead to permanent hearing loss.
   • If a cat scratches its ear all the time, it can rupture the blood vessels and require surgery.
   • For these reasons, it is not recommended to self-diagnose and treat the animal with home remedies. After you notice the symptoms and examine your cat's ears yourself, make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent future infections

1. 1 Rid your pet of ear mites. Remove ear mites from your cat as recommended by your veterinarian.
   • Never try to rid the animal of ear mites yourself without a diagnosis by your veterinarian. Anti-mite solutions can irritate or worsen a problem that has symptoms similar to ear mites.
   • If you get an infestation with ear mites, you should clean your ears regularly and thoroughly.Usually, you first remove the dirt from your ears with a standard ear cleaner, followed by the application of a veterinarian-prescribed ointment.
   • You should also brush the tail of the animal, as cats often wrap around them during sleep, as a result of which ticks and their eggs can be trapped in the hair of the tail.
   • Ointments and pesticides prescribed by your doctor should be used within 7-10 days after tick detection. If you have other animals in the house, clean their ears as well, as they can also become infected with ear mites.
   • Cats may refuse medication. If your pet is very resistant to treatment, ask someone to help you during the procedure.
2. 2 Be careful after the end of the course of treatment. Try to limit your cat's contact with areas where it can get ear mites again.
   • If your cat goes outside and often develops ear mites, it may be worth keeping her in the house. However, sometimes it can be difficult to restrict a cat's freedom if she is used to walking where she wants to.
   • If your pet has feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), it should not be released outside. Weak immune systems increase the risk of ear mite infections; in addition, VIV can be transmitted to other cats.
   • Beware of animal shelters and pet stores where ear mites are common. Before you get a new kitten or cat, check for ear mites.
3. 3 Wash cat litter and toys. After finding ear mites, wash any items that your cat frequently uses.

Tips

• Check your pet for ear mites often. Once in the ear, these mites multiply very quickly. An early diagnosis will facilitate subsequent treatment.

Warnings

• An infected cat can spread ear mites to your other cats and even your dogs. If you suspect that one of your pets has ear mites, examine all of your cats and dogs.
• In some cats, ear mite infestations are not apparent. Pay attention to the slightest signs, even if the cat appears to be quite healthy.

What do you need

• Cotton swab
• Magnifying glass or microscope