Make Sure You Know Which Ear Youre Treating
Take your cat to the treatment area.
If youve forgotten which ear requires treatment, refer to the directions or call your vet. Often, pet parents describe their pets problem area from their perspective instead of from their pets perspective.
So when the vet or the staff say right or left ear, remember that they are talking about the cats left ear, which is on the right when youre looking at your cat.
Can Ear Mites In Cats Be Prevented
Mites can be prevented by appropriate anti-parasitic treatments. You should speak to your vet about which product they recommend and whether your cats usual flea treatment covers ear mites. Its important to keep your cats indoor environment as clean as possible, especially if they have been treated for mites in the past.
Ask your vet whether they recommend ear cleaning in your cat. This is not necessary for most individuals, but may be appropriate if they have a history of regular ear problems. If youre not sure how to clean a cats ears, check out our easy guide, and make sure a vet or vet nurse has shown you what to do.
What Causes Ear Mites In Cats
Ear mites are contagious, typically spreading from one infected animal to another. As mites can also infest dogs and wild animals, there are plenty of opportunities for your cat to come into contact with mites daily, particularly if your cat goes outside or has spent time in an animal shelter.
Cats can also catch mites from contaminated surfaces, like bedding and grooming tools, and environments like boarding facilities.
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Treating Ear Mites In Dogs And Cats
Fortunately, ear mites are perfectly treatable and the process to do so is usually fairly straightforward. Once your vet in Castle Rock has confirmed the diagnosis, he/she will probably prescribe topical medications which should destroy all of the ear mites. There are a variety of topical treatment types including eardrops, ointments and creams and these must be used exactly as directed. You will be able to complete the course of treatment at home.
If your cat or dog has damaged the skin around her ears as a result of scratching them excessively, further treatment may be needed. This may consist of oral and/or topical antibiotics, which again should be administered as advised and the course finished. In some cases, it might be necessary for your pet to be fitted with a cone collar which will prevent her from doing further damage to her ears.
What Is The Life Cycle Of The Ear Mite
It takes approximately 3 weeks for a mite to develop from an egg to an adult, going through a total of 5 stages. Adult ear mites live about 2 months, during which time they continually reproduce. The entire ear mite life cycle takes place on the host animal, although mites can survive for a limited time in the environment.
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Cat Ear Mites Vs Yeast Or Bacterial Infection
Although ear mite infestations are the most common cause of ear irritation seen in cats, its possible for your cat to develop a yeast or bacterial infection in her ears. It can be difficult to differentiate between an ear mite infestation and a yeast or bacterial ear infection.
The symptoms of an ear mite infestation and other types of ear infections are very similarscratching at the ears, shaking the head, and a buildup of debris in the ears. Also, cats can have both an ear mite infestation and a bacterial and/or yeast ear infection at the same time, so microscopic examination of any ear discharge by a veterinarian helps assure appropriate treatment.
Schedule A Recheck Exam
Recheck examinations are one of the most vital steps in successful cat ear infection treatment. Most ear infections are treated for a minimum of two to three weeks, but this can be extended, especially if there are any underlying or predisposing factors such as allergies.
During this visit, another sample will likely be taken from the ear canal and examined under a microscope. For this diagnostic to be successful, do NOT clean or medicate your cats ears at least 24 hours prior to the exam.
Your veterinarian can check to see whether the infection has resolved, particularly if your cat has had ear infections in the past. If its not, additional testing and treatment may be required.
Remember, even if your cat stops scratching or their ears look better, the infection may not have fully resolved. Since a cats ear canal is shaped like the letter L, debris such as hair, impacted wax, or residual infection can be hidden despite a normal, healthy-appearing ear.
Once the issue is resolved, speak to your veterinarian about ways to prevent reoccurring cat ear infections and other ear issues, and how often to clean your cats ears going forward.
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Amazing Home Remedies For Ear Mites In Cats
Cats are known to be susceptible to ear mites, especially if they have access to the outdoors. If your cat or kitten has suddenly started that tell-tale scratching caused by the little parasites you should seek treatment right away. You can easily soothe your pet from the torment and irritation, and even eliminate ear mites completely with home remedies for ear mites in cats.
S For Cat Ear Cleaning
There are a variety of cat ear cleaning methods, I recommend this one because its less time consuming and more feline-friendly:
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Heavily moisten a cotton ball with the ear cleaner.
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Apply the cotton ball to the base of the ear and fold the ear flap over onto the cotton ball.
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Massage the base of the ear , and then allow your cat to shake his head.
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How Are Ear Mites Diagnosed
The vet will examine your cats ear canal for any signs of mites using an otoscope. They will look for signs of inflammation, swelling and discharge. The vet will also be looking for other causes of the ear problem such as a foreign body like a grass seed.
Sometimes your cats ears are too sore for them to sit still during the examination, and they may need to be sedated for the diagnosis and initial treatment. A microscopic examination of the ear discharge is commonly performed to look for mites and to check for other types of infection.
An Itchy Cat Ear: How To Treat Ear Mites In Cats
Ear mites are small parasites that invade your cats ear canal skin and call it home. As parasites, they feed off of cat ear wax and oils and usually cause a lot of itchiness for kittens. They love ear wax and being in a moist and warm place so much, that it takes quite a lot of effort to kill ear mites.
You might be asking yourself if ear mites in dogs also exist. And the answer is yes, dogs can also get ear mites, it just doesnt happen as often as it does in cats!
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Aural Hematomas In Cats
Besides the usual skin conditions and reactions you typically see with irritation, you may see your kitty’s ear starting to balloon. You may chalk it up to swelling from irritation, but excessive scratching and shaking their head can actually lead to a more severe condition, called an aural hematoma.
The force of scratching and shaking the ears can lead to small blood vessels bursting in the ears, causing blood to accumulate in between the layers of skin, inflating the ear.
Aural hemotomas can be very painful and can lead to further damage and possibly permanent disfiguration of the ear.
If you notice your cats ear inflating, call your vet immediately. The longer you wait the more damage the hematoma can do. Treatment often requires surgery to properly drain the fluid and flatten the skin back to normal shape.
Ear Mite Treatment For Cats
Its important to bring your cat to the veterinarian if she exhibits any ear problems. Left untreated, an ear mite infestation can cause serious damage to the cats ear canal, especially if the cat develops a secondary bacterial infection.
Untreated ear infections are not only very painful, but they can cause hearing loss and balance problems due to loss of equilibrium. Your vet will do a full physical exam and look into your cats ears with an instrument called an otoscope.
The veterinarian will also collect a sample of the ear debris with a swab to be looked at under a microscope to determine the root cause of the problem and what treatment is needed.
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Best Overall Ear Mite Treatment For Cats: Adams Ear Mite Treatment
We found that the best ear mite treatment for cats is Adams Treatment. Adams is a trusted brand that has been recommended by vets for over 40 years.This all-purpose insecticide kills mites on contact and removes wax that has built up as a result of the infestation.
This medication includes aloe and lanolin to promote healing while soothing your cats itching ears. Adams can be used in cats and dogs over the age of 12 weeks, and the dose is based on your pets weight.
To administer, give your cat the prescribed number of drops in each ear . If she allows it, gently massage the base of her ears to help the medication penetrate the problem area. You can follow up by drying the area gently with a cotton ball. Do this for 7-10 days, and if necessary, you can repeat the whole process after 2 weeks.
Remember that your cat is probably uncomfortable, so its important to exercise caution and patience. Also worth noting: this treatment containspyrethrins, which can be harmful if ingested or incorrectly administered. Never leave this product with your cat unattended.
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Treatment For Ear Mites In Cats
Ear mites are typically treated with eardrops that are FDA-approved for this purpose, such as Acarexx®, MilbeMite®, or Otomite Plus®.
Before starting treatment, your cats ears should be thoroughly cleaned with an ear cleaner designed for cats. This will remove any debris and make the treatment more effective.
If other areas of the body are affected, a flea medication that also works against mites may be prescribed. These include Advantage Multi® and Revolution®. Bravecto® is also effective at treating ear mites but is not labeled for this purpose.
If a cat, dog, or ferret in your household is diagnosed with ear mites, you should treat all cats, dogs, and ferrets in your home. Fortunately, ear mites do not survive well off animals and in the environment, so household treatment should not be needed.
Your veterinarian will prescribe a product best suited for your pets.
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Symptoms Of Ear Mites In Dogs And Cats
Ear mites are incredibly small, which can make them difficult to spot. However, if you gently clean your pets ears with a soft cloth and check the residue that appears, you may be able to spot them. They look like tiny white dots, no bigger than a period on the end of a sentence.
Every animal is different, but there are some generalized symptoms that could suggest that your cat or dog is suffering from an ear mite infestation. These include:
- Strong odor coming from the ears
- Black or brown waxy secretions from the ears
- Inflammation of the ear, including redness and the ear becoming hot to the touch
- Debris in the ear canal that looks like coffee grounds
- Excessively itching, scratching or rubbing of her ears
- Hair loss around the ears
- Persistently shaking her head. This is because the mites cause intense irritation.
- Skin problems such as dermatitis and scabs around the ears
Cat Ear Infection: Ear Mite Treatment For Cats
Now that you know all there is to know about mites, you can move on to the stage of the treatment of ear mites. The first step is to go to the vet, but well go over the most common procedures recommended.
First of all, there are cat ear mites products that vets prescribe cat owners. They can be directly applied to the ear or the medication is applied on the skin.
Secondly, if your cats ears are too clogged up by the coffee-grounds-like debris, you should clean them. You can do this by using rubbing alcohol on a ball of cotton or on a q-tip.
There are also some ear drops that your vet may prescribe that will help to clear up the infestation. If your cat has developed infections because of the mites, then antibiotics are recommended.
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Where Do Cats Catch Ear Mites
Because ear mites cant fly, they can only travel short distances to find new hosts. Most cats catch ear mites when they are outdoors, where they can come into contact with other cats and dogs. If you have a multi-pet household, one pet might bring ear mites into the home and pass them to others.
Unlike cats and dogs, human ears cant host ear mites. Mites have hitched rides on human hosts in the past, but this is rare. Because most ear mite infestations start with a pet going outdoors, indoor pets are at a much lower risk of ear mites.
Diagnosis Of Ear Mites
The diagnosis of ear mites is confirmed when the mites are found in a sample of the ear discharge examined under a microscope. Sometimes the mites can even be seen as little white specks moving around in the ear .
Confirming the presence of the mites is necessary to distinguish ear mites from other ear infections, so dont try to diagnose at home. Always consult a veterinarian before beginning any course of treatment.
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How To Check For Ear Mites In Cats
Even though ear mites are hard to see, its not impossible. They are small and very light in colour and can resemble coffee ground, so you might see small white specks wiggling around, but more likely, you will see the debris they leave behind.
Ear mite poop is usually the easiest way to identify ear mite activity. They leave behind small dark specks that look like pepper in your cats ear. They can also cause excess ear wax build-up, so your cats ear may look dirty, even if you regularly clean your cats ears.
Alone this doesnt guarantee mites because it could just be regular ear debris, but if you see what looks like pepper in your cats ear and you find your cat is suffering from some of the most common symptoms and signs of ear mites in cats, then you likely have a pretty accurate diagnosis.
If you don’t see any evidence of mite activity, it’s still a good idea to have your cat checked out by your vet to rule out other pests, allergies, or skin and coat issues that may need immediate attention.
Always Start With The Good Ear First
If your cat only has an ear infection in one ear, it is important to just clean the healthy ear first and then clean and medicate the infected ear. Only the infected ear should be medicated.
Since infection can spread between ears, be sure to wash your hands and use new supplies after touching each ear, and dont go back to the other ear. If youre using gloves, put on a new glove when you switch ears. This is a good rule even if both ears are infected.
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Ear Mites Vs Yeast Infections In Cats
Symptoms and signs of ear mites in your cats can be mistaken for other issues, like allergies or yeast infections. These similarities can make it challenging to diagnose mites at home. If you know what to look for, then you can treat ear mites and eliminate these pests quickly and easily.
Symptoms of allergies and yeast infections can be similar to ear mites in cats, but yeast has one very obvious sign – its pungent smell. Yeast has a very well-known smell, one that can be quite off-putting.
Yeast is a fungus that always lives on your pets skin, but allergies and a poor diet can often allow the yeast to bloom quickly. Yeast, like mites, loves moist and warm areas, so ears are one of the best environments for yeast to thrive.
Easier To Clean And Use
Everyone loves a good product that will last longer without breaking or needing maintenance to keep it running smoothly! We all have busy lives, so its best to buy something that will save you time on daily tasks instead of wasting hours weekly.
This best cat ear mite treatment is easy to maintain because of its simple design, making it very easy to clean! You can wash your best item in about 10 seconds or less! And best of all, if you do run into any trouble with your product, you can take advantage of the products warranty and get it replaced for free.
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Directly Applying Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a great way to smother any present ear mites as well as soothe the inflamed ears. Mineral oil provides moisture and promotes healing in the ears.
According to a study done by Otomax, a mineral-oil based otic ointment has been shown to have some apparent effect against ear mites in cats. As part of a trial testing the efficacy of the mineral-oil based compound, one of the authors used 2 ml of mineral oil and 30 seconds of external massage of the base of the ear in the control cats, and found that after two treatments one week apart, there were no mites found in any of the control cats three-weeks after the second treatment.
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