How to understand that a cat has an ear mite, and what to do about it
Miscellaneous / / August 31, 2023
Keep your pet's ears clean.
What is an ear mite
ear mites, Otodectes cynotis, are tiny parasites that look as small moving white dots, barely visible to the naked eye, and cause otodectosis.
These arthropods live on the skin of the ear canal and feed on sulfur and sebum. Adult mites usually live for about two months and multiply rapidly: the larvae hatch from eggs in just four days, and after another three weeks they turn into sexually mature individuals.
Who gets ear mites
Ear mites can live on cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets. These are the second most common ectoparasites (that is, living outside the body) after fleas.
How do animals catch ear mites?
Ear mites for life live on the body of the host, and outside it after some time they die. Therefore, they are usually picked up from other animals.
Otodectosis is incredibly contagious. They usually affect cats and dogs. on the street, in shelters and nurseries, because they constantly pass parasites on to each other and maintain their populations.
How to suspect that a cat has ear mites
You wonβt be able to catch an ear mite on your own to identify it. Therefore, for such signs:
- the pet often scratches its ears or shakes its head;
- on the ears there is irritation and a rash covered with crusts;
- dark waxy discharge or crusts flow from the ears;
- there are bald spots, due to the fact that the animal often scratches irritated places;
- ear hematoma (large blood blister caused by rupture of small blood vessels between the skin and cartilage) can sometimes occur due to constant scratching.
Most often, these symptoms affect the ear and surrounding skin, but can spread to other parts of the body.
How dangerous are ear mites for cats?
Ear mites are not life-threatening, but cause great discomfort to the animal. Therefore, if you suspect that something is bothering your pet, take it to the veterinarian.
Can the owner get ear mites from his cat
Ear mites can call temporary itchy rash in those susceptible to dermatitis people if they have infected animals in their home. But still, it's almost impossible. To get rid of the rash, you need to cure your pet.
What to do if you suspect your cat has ear mites
Attribute cat to the vet. He will examine the animal with the help of an otoscope - a magnifying device for the ears. The doctor will look not only for the tick, but also for signs of inflammation, swelling, discharge, and foreign bodies. And after the examination will make a diagnosis.
Even if you are sure that the cat has a tick, you should not start treatment without an examination by a specialist. Different diseases may be similar, but they will be treated in completely different ways.
How are ear mites treated in cats?
With the help of special insecticides. They can be in tablets, drops or injections. They are only assigned vet.
He may also advise you to clean your ears during treatment. Especially if you need to bury medicine in them.
How to clean cat ears
Normally, the cat's ears do an excellent job of cleaning themselves and there is no need to interfere in this process. Over-cleansing can cause irritation that can lead to infection because the skin's own barrier will be damaged, making it easier for microorganisms to attack the ears. But some animals sulfur and contaminants are not removed properly, so they need to to help.
You will need a special ear cleaner and cotton pads. Sticks should not be used because they can push dirt deeper or even damage the eardrum. Lotions all clean about the same, the veterinarian will help you choose the right one.
If you need to drip medicine, then first clean your ears, and only then apply it.
1. Sit back and take the cat
Sit in a comfortable position and take the animal on your lap. If cat resists, wrap her in a towel to calm her down.
Gently but firmly holding your pet with one hand, take the ear cleaning solution in the other.
2. Apply a cleansing solution
Grasp the tip of the pinna and pull back slightly to expose and slightly straighten the curved ear canal. Squeeze some ear cleaning solution into your cat's ear to fill the inside of the ear. It's okay if part of the product spills out of the channel.
Do not insert the tip of the vial into the ear, so as not to injure the ear canal.
If the tip of the bottle touches your cat's ear, then after the procedure, do not forget to treat it with an alcohol wipe. This will help prevent infection from spreading from the diseased ear or re-infection.
3. clean your ear
Continue to hold the pinna with one hand while gently massaging the base of the ear with the other for about 30 seconds. This will allow the product to dissolve the debris. You should hear a squelching sound.
Holding the auricle, wipe off the dirt with a cotton pad. Go into the channel only as far as your finger will reach, do not go deep.
Let the cat shake its head. This will help any remaining ear cleaning solution and debris drain out of the ear. Once again, grab the ear and remove the remnants with a cotton pad.
4. Reward Good Behavior
After cleaning the ear, praise your pet and give him a treat so that he does not perceive your actions as aggression.
5. Repeat the same process with the other ear
Do the same for the other ear. If the cat is nervous, then give it time to calm down a bit in your arms before moving on. Don't forget to praise again at the end.
If your cat is in pain during brushing - acting restless, meowing and obviously suffering - stop right away and consult your veterinarian.
How to protect your cat from ear mites
prevent infection is possible with the help of means for the treatment against parasites.
Read alsoππΎπββ¬
- 7 popular cat care myths that are dangerous to believe
- How to make a child with a cat so that no one gets hurt
- How to transition a cat or dog to a new food
- Everything you need to know about cat spaying
- Who is a zoopsychologist and when should you contact him