Behind the head shakes and cries of your feline friend can be a common problem – ear mites. They can’t tell you, but they are feeling super uncomfortable. Here’s what you need to know.
– by Dr. Firoz Alam
Tiny Parasites, Big Trouble
The ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) is a surface-living mite that lives on cats, dogs, rabbits. and ferrets. It is usually found in the ear canal, but it can also live on the skin surface. The entire ear mite life cycle takes place on animals. Cats become infested by direct contact with an infested animal. The mite is visible to the naked eye and can be seen as a white speck moving against a dark background.
Ear mites are the most common cause of feline ear disease. They are the second most common ectoparasite found on cats; the most common is the flea. Infestations are most common in kittens and young cats although, cats of any age can be affected.
Signs of Discomfort
- Clinical signs of infestation vary in severity from one cat to another and include combinations of –
- Ear irritation causing scratching at the ears or head shaking.
- A dark, waxy discharge from the ear
- Areas of hair loss resulting from self-trauma – scratching or excessive grooming.
- A crusted rash
- Aural hematoma – a large blood blister caused by rupture of small blood vessels between the skin and cartilage of the ear, usually on the inner aspect, caused by scratching at the ears.
- Skin lesions most frequently affect the ear and surrounding skin, but uncommonly, other areas of the body may be affected.
A Vet’s Perspective
Typical clinical signs with a history of contagion between cats would suggest the involvement of ear mites. Ear mites cause over 50% of feline ear disease. However, other conditions can result in very similar clinical signs. A veterinarian makes the diagnosis by seeing the mite. This is usually straightforward and may be done either by examination of your pet’s ears with an otoscope or by microscopic examination of discharge from the ear. If the ears are very sore, your pet may need to be sedated to allow the ears to be properly examined and treated.
When Scratching Turns Serious
Three steps are required to successfully treat ear mites –
- Treat the ears of all affected and susceptible pets.
- Treat the skin of all affected and susceptible pets.
- Treat the indoor environment because the mite is capable of limited survival off pets.
Your veterinarian will advise you about which insecticidal products are suitable.
Your veterinarian may ask you to continue the treatment regimen for at least 21 days, after which he may check the cat to ensure that the mites have been eliminated.
Do ear mites affect people?
Ear mites may cause an itchy rash on susceptible people if there are infested pets in the household. Eradication of the mites from the pets will cure the problem.
(Dr. Firoz Alam – B.V.Sc & A.H, P.G.D.A.W; Veterinary Physician and Surgeon, Vertebrate Pet Clinic, Greater Noida)
