Ear mites in cats are one of the most common causes of itching and ear infections in the fur-clad. The mite can easily be transmitted from animal to animal through close contact – and can cause discomfort and pain in both cats and dogs.
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What are ear mites?
Mites are microscopic arachnids and go by the scientific name Otodectes cynotis. These arachnids settle in your cat’s ear canal and feed on dead skin cells and earwax. Ear mite infestations are considered relatively common among outdoor cats – and as an owner, you can expect to encounter them several times during your cat’s life.
Ear mites are usually found in young cats – but older cats can also be affected by these tiny parasites on rare occasions. Ear mites cause intense itching in the cat – and you will notice that the cat scratches its ears almost constantly. Although ear mites themselves are not directly dangerous – untreated infection can lead to both ear infections and other ear problems in the cat. In addition, the cat risks getting sores on the ears if it scratches a lot around the ears.
Symptoms and diagnosis of ear mites
The most typical signs of ear mite infection are intense itching in the ears and brownish-black, dry earwax. As mentioned, some cats may also develop sores around the ears due to excessive scratching. If the infection is not treated, the cat may develop a chronic ear infection. This is characterized by swelling and narrowing of the ear canals and increased production of earwax. A veterinarian will be able to diagnose ear mites by examining the earwax under a microscope or by inspecting the ears directly with an otoscope.
You can read more about common ailments in pets on our blog!
Treatment of ear mites in cats
There are several effective treatments for ear mites on the market. The most common approach is to use spot-on preparations that are applied to the skin of the neck after a thorough cleaning of the ear. If the ear mites have caused inflammation in the ear – this inflammation also needs to be treated. It is recommended to check the cat’s ears after 30 days to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Since ear mites are highly contagious – it is also important to keep the infected cat separate from other animals. If you have multiple animals under the same roof – these should also be treated for ear mites at the same time. It is important to note that even if the cat is treated once – this does not mean immunity against future ear mite infections – and new infections may occur.
Price for treatment of ear mites in cats
Prices for treating ear mites in cats will vary from clinic to clinic and depend on the type of medicine and dosage. You can see a comprehensive price list of the prices in our veterinary clinic here.
Can you treat ear mites in cats yourself?
Although there is some common advice for treating ear mites in cats, we recommend taking your cat to the vet if you suspect ear mites. The vet can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary medication. You can easily and efficiently book an appointment with our veterinary clinic online.
Can ear mites be transmitted from cat to human?
Although it is theoretically possible for humans to become infected with ear mites from cats or other pets – fortunately this occurs very rarely. If the accident should nevertheless occur – it can lead to a short-term itchy eczema on the skin that usually goes away on its own relatively quickly. The ear mites that affect pets cannot survive on humans for long – and they will naturally die on their own within a short time. Cats that have ear mites can be safely handled as usual. As previously mentioned – ear mites can be transmitted from both dogs and ferrets – but usually the infection spreads from cat to cat.
