Search:

Ear Mites in Cats: Recognizing and Treating

Ear mites in cats are a fairly common ailment. They can cause your cat a significant amount of discomfort, and in some cases, damage your cat's hearing.

Some cats seem to develop immunity to mites, so younger cats are more likely to to be afflicted. Cats with suppressed immune systems are likewise at higher risk. If left untreated, they can lead to accompanying secondary bacterial and yeast infections.

What are ear mites? -- Mites are small, crab-like parasites that typically live on the head, and in the ears. In more extreme cases, they can cause a rupture of the ear drum, and may lead to deafness and even seizures. Mites are the most common cause of outer-ear inflammation in cats.

Some cats are very sensitive to mite infestations and others don't seem to be disturbed by it much. Younger cats are typically more bothered than older cats.

Symptoms of mites -- The most common symptoms of ear mites in cats are head shaking and excessive scratching of the ears. The most obvious sign is a build up of dry, black wax that often resembles coffee grounds.

Some cats may experience hair loss around the ears. As can happen with parasite infestation, secondary bacterial infection is not uncommon. In addition, the waxy build up may cause extra irritation in the ear.

Excessive scratching may cause ulceration at the back of the ear. In extreme cases, this may lead to permanent disfigurement.

Treatment -- Treating ear mites in cats begins with cleaning out the cat's ears. This should be done only by a veterinarian, as damage to the ear could result if it is done improperly.

Mineral oil may be used to soften the wax. Flushing out the ears removes a large number of mites and dislodges the wax at the same time.

Once the ears have been flushed out, an ear mite treatment can be used. While they may be effective at eradicating mites, over-the-counter remedies will typically take longer than those provided by your veterinarian. Flea control medication is often used to prevent a recurrence of infestation by any mites that have migrated to other parts of the body.

It's necessary to limit physical contact with affected cats in order to prevent the spread of the mites to other household members. While this condition is very treatable, in more difficult cases, your veterinarian may administer "off-label" drugs.