Cat Ear Mites Treatment

Ear mites can spread from one pet to another.

Cat ear mites treatment.

The most common signs of ear mites among cats include. Ear mites in cats make up more than half of all cat ear infections. If your cat is. Ear mites cause irritation and so the cat is likely to scratch repeatedly at the ear with a back paw and or to frequently shake its head.

These tiny parasites the size of a pinpoint or a comma live and breed in the cat s ear canal causing the cat discomfort and itching. It s not difficult to recognize ear mites based on your pet s behavior and appearance. Ear mite debris in a cat ear. It can feel like a slightly daunting task to tackle your cat s ear mite infestation but it is something that you need to do as mites reproduce very quickly and the problem can get worse if it left untreated for an extended period of time.

Treatment of ear mites is fairly simple and keeping them away from your cat requires just a little effort. The first step is to get as many tiny critters out of the ear canal as possible by cleaning the ear. Causes of ear mites in cats. Watch for scratching or shaking.

If your cat or kitten has suddenly started that tell tale scratching caused by the little parasites you should seek treatment right away. A cat that has suffered from ear mites for a long time can develop inflammatory polyps i e. Here s how to fight those mites. Your veterinarian will probably diagnose an ear mite infection by checking a sample of your cat s ear wax under a microscope.

Despite the name this type of parasite is more common among cats than dogs and accounts for 90 of feline ear infection diagnoses. Bear in mind that there are many different types of mite out there. The cat s claws may break the skin surface leading to additional soreness bleeding and in some cases bacterial infections. Wikimedia commons uwe gille symptoms of ear mites in cats.

The vet will advise what treatment is most appropriate for your cat. They may clean the cat s ears to remove build up of wax particularly if your cat is already sedated. The mites themselves however are generally too small to see with the naked eye. The type of mites most common in cats ears are called otodectes cynotis a name that roughly translates to ear beggar of the dog.

Treatment for ear mites generally includes a good ear cleaning and topical prescription medication. Many spot on flea products are suitable for the prevention and treatment of ear mites and this may be recommended by your vet. It s easy for a cat to become infested with ear mites if they have come into contact with another infested pet played with contaminated toys or have poor ear hygiene. Treating cat ear mites.

Ear mites can thrive inside your cat s ear munching on ear wax and skin oils. You can use an ear cleaning solution available at pet supply stores or try almond or olive oil but clear the latter with your vet first put several drops of the solution or oil into the ear canal and massage gently.