Ear problems in general are uncommon in cats, but among the afflictions that do occur, ear-mite infestation is frequently diagnosed. Although it can’t hop or fly, an ear mite—otherwise known as Otodectes cynotis—can crawl. And if one of these miniscule parasites enters your cat’s ear, makes itself at home, and starts to breed, it can cause major damage unless promptly evicted.
The typical external signs are quite obvious: the cat’s outer ear is likely to be inflamed, and the animal will hold its ears flat against its head, scratch at them almost without letup, and shake its head frequently—as if trying to dislodge a bothersome object. They are also detectable by the mess they make inside an infested animal’s ear canal—a dark, gooey, foul-smelling accumulation of wax and mite debris in which the tiny critter thrives.
“If the newly acquired mite is taking a stroll along a cat’s backside or belly,” says William Miller Jr., VMD, a professor of dermatology at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, “the animal will groom it away with its tongue and swallow it. But the parasite is safe if it can make its way to the ear canal, where the cat’s paw or tongue can’t get at it.”
Ear mites are almost microscopically tiny, “about the size of a pinhead,” says Dr. Miller. But, he notes, it’s possible to see their rapidly moving little bodies with the naked eye. Ear mites are extremely contagious, he notes, moving from one cat to another on close contact and eventually making their way to the ear. Infestation is most common among outdoor cats, whether they’re brawling or cuddling up affectionately.
If ear mite infestation is suspected, the cat owner should seek veterinary care without delay. Aside from relieving the animal’s discomfort, treatment can curb infection stemming from the mutilation of the ears and face that results from aggressive and nonstop scratching. Veterinary care can also prevent a serious ear disease called otitis externa—an infection of the outer ear that, if untreated, can progress to the middle and inner ear and damage the ear drum, which can permanently affect the animal’s hearing and sense of balance.
A veterinarian can readily diagnose suspected ear mite infestation by using an otoscope, a flashlight-like instrument used to explore the depths of the ear. If the cat is unwilling to allow this instrument near its sensitive ears, the veterinarian will use a cotton swab to gently collect a sample of ear debris for conclusive microscopic examination.
Treatment generally begins with a thorough cleaning of the cat’s ears to remove any wax or debris that may shield the mites from topical medications. “There are many topical, oral, and systemic agents,” Dr. Miller notes, “and most—such as ivermectin—are highly effective. Even one old-time remedy—baby oil—can do the job. A few drops put into an affected ear several times a day for a month or so will usually smother the mites.”
Subsequent treatment for mites as well as ongoing maintenance of a cat’s ears, says Dr. Miller, can generally be done at home—as long as the owner has been given proper instruction by a veterinarian.
Ear mites under a microscope. Courtesy of Dr. Chris Adolph, Southpark Veterinary Hospital
Ear mites are tiny mites that live on the surface of ear canal skin of cats (or dogs). They are barely visible to the human eye. An infestation produces brownish ear wax, similar in appearance to coffee grounds. Ear mites are contagious and can travel from the ears of an infected cat to any other cats in close contact.
How will ear mites affect my cat?
Cats who are infected with ear mites typically have very itchy and irritated ears and frequently scratch at their ears or shake their heads. The ears can become red and inflamed, and there can also be rashes or other skin reactions around the ears.
Ear mites are a very common problem in cats, particularly in kittens. If your cat’s ears appear red, inflamed or irritated, or you see waxy debris inside their ears, consult with your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and treatment options.
Ear mites are transmitted through social interaction with other infected cats, which can include grooming, sleeping and playing together. All cats should be checked regularly for any signs of ear mites.
Ear mites can be successfully treated with a number of medications. Because ear mites are contagious, all pets in the household (both cats and dogs) should be treated for ear mites. Your veterinarian can provide assistance in choosing the most effective treatment for your cats and other pets.
Can humans be harmed by ear mites?
Ear mites are not generally considered a risk to humans.
For veterinary professionals, more detailed information on ear mites can be found at //www.capcvet.org/guidelines/otodectic-mite/.
My cat is scratching excessively and shaking his head. Could my cat have ear mites? How do cats get ear mites?
A.
If your cat is scratching and shaking his head, then there is a good chance he has ear mites. Ear mites are microscopic parasites that live in and on the ears of cats. They are one of the most common reasons that cats develop ear infections.
Ear mites are so tiny you can barely see them with the naked eye. But if you suspect your cat is infected with ear mites, look very closely and you might see tiny white insects in or on your cat’s ears. Those are ear mites.
Ear mites in cats cause severe itching, head shaking and discomfort; on top of that, they are very contagious. Ear mites easily spread from cat to cat through physical contact; when an infected cat comes into contact with another cat, the ear mites crawl off the infected cat and onto the other cat.
Ear mites typically cause double ear infections in cats, especially kittens, and cats infected with ear mites have red, swollen, itchy ears. Another hallmark sign of ear mites in cats is dark brown or black discharge that looks like coffee grounds in the ear. Outdoor cats are at greater risk for ear mite infestations than indoor cats because they are more likely to contact with other infected cats or wildlife.
Ear mites cannot survive in the environment, and humans appear to be immune; however dogs can become infected if they are in close contact with an infected cat. A cat who is infected with ear mites is considered contagious to other cats and dogs. So, if your cat has been diagnosed with ear mites, isolate him from other household pets.
If you think your cat is infected with ear mites, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for further evaluation. Cats who are infected with ear mites often develop secondary bacterial or fungal infections in their ears that require prescription ear medication for pets for pets, such as ear drops, and severe infections are not only painful but can lead to hearing loss if not treated properly.
Read “How to Treat Ear Mites in Cats,” so you can know exactly what treatment options are available for your infected cat.
Featured Image: via iStock.com/gilaxia
Is your cat shaking her head or scratching her ears? It might be ear mites, a common parasite that lives on the surface of their skin. Here’s how to check for ear mites in cats so you can treat and prevent them from spreading.
Lots of things can make cats scratch their ears. When it's a problem and not just everyday itching, the culprit might be ear mites. You may first notice this pest when your cat is shaking her head or pawing at her ears. Or it could be that while you're petting your cat and notice clusters of black coffee-ground-like specks inside the ears. Gross! Read up on what to do if those pesky bugs could be what’s making your cat uncomfortable.
What are Ear Mites?
Also known as otodectic mange, the most common ear mite that causes cats trouble is otodectes cynotis. This parasite loves the moist, warm skin of a cat's ear canal, where it lives out most its life cycle and eats skin cells, blood, and even earwax. (We did say they were gross, right?) These mites are contagious, so one cat's infestation can spread to other cats and dogs. If they get too numerous and irritating, cats may scratch so much they cause infections or even permanently damage their ears.
Signs of Ear Mites in Cats
Signs of an ear mite infestation are noticed from cats' behavior as well as evidence in the ears. Cats bugged by ear mites may scratch at their ears, shake their head, or keep their head tilted at an angle—almost like they're trying to dislodge the pests. Waxy or crusty discharge that looks like coffee grounds may be evident on the exterior and interior of the cat's ears.
Those spots that look like coffee grounds are evidence the ear mites have been at work for a while, according to Ernie Ward, DVM, a writer, podcaster, pet nutrition advocate, and veterinarian who works with cats at animal rescue groups in North Carolina.
"That's the blood of the mites, feeding, spilling over," Ward says. "There's already been a lot of suffering by the cat that's gone unnoticed."
Ward imagines these bugs crawling around in a cat's ear, and no matter how much a cat shakes, paws, or scratches, the sensation of movement and itching never stops.
How Do Cats Get Ear Mites?
Ear mites are common among outdoor cats and highly contagious between animals, although thankfully not to humans. Eggs are laid in the ear and take roughly three weeks to mature into an adult mite who can then breed and add to the infestation. And mites are not just relegated to your cat’s ears—they can occasionally go wandering and cause itching elsewhere on a cat's skin.
What to Do if You Suspect Your Cat Has Ear Mites
Since ear mites can be hard to see and may not be the only reason for inflammation or damage to a cat's ear, it's best to have your cat checked out by a veterinarian for a professional diagnosis.
Your vet will look for the hard-to-see small, white critters through a microscope or a magnifying scope that veterinarians and physicians use to look into ears. Another way your vet might identify ear mites is by placing a sample on a dark, well-lit background and using a magnifying glass to look for the moving white specks.
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Treating Ear Mites in Cats
If ear mites are the cause of your cat’s itchy ears, there are different ways to rid your cat of these annoying bugs. The fastest and most effective are some newer parasite-killing medications available from veterinarians, some of which can clear ear mite infestations with a single dose.
All options for treating ear mites in cats start with a thorough cleaning of the ears. Once wax, crusty discharge, and other debris is clear in the ear, medication may include one-time or repeated use to get rid of the infestation and prevent another one.
If there's damage or inflammation in the ear, your veterinarian may recommend other medicine to bring down swelling and fight off infections caused by damage from your cat's scratching at her ears.
Do Homeopathic Methods Treat Ear Mites?
Ward acknowledges that there are some holistic, at-home treatments that can be found on the internet. But in his experience, the items found in your kitchen cupboard that are supposed to suffocate the ear mites—like coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil—are highly ineffective. It may seem like a quick-fix to help your cat, but the application of these oils can't kill all the eggs, and may also not kill all the ear mites, who can survive in air pockets in the ear. A single surviving female ear mite with eggs can start the whole infestation over again, meaning using them will only prolong your cat's suffering.
How to Keep Ear Mites from Returning
To make sure no ear mites are hanging out in kitty’s fur, your veterinarian can also recommend a parasite preventive to help keep the bugs away for next time and make sure any other ear-mite hitchhikers have been taken care of. After prescribing your cat’s specific treatment plan, your veterinarian may also want to see your feline friend back for a checkup in a week or two to make sure all the bugs are gone for good.