Ear mites in cats

Overview

These are tiny, highly contagious, almost invisible eight-legged parasites that feed on the lining of your pet's ear canal and cause a lot of irritation and inflammation. When your cat attempts to get some relief by scratching, the ear canal becomes increasingly inflamed and sensitive.  The ear canal of cats with ear mites becomes filled with thick, brown debis and touching their ears will cause them to scratch.  Cats are more susceptible to infestation with ear mites than dogs, but both can get them and infect each other.  Humans do not typically get infected with this mite; however, local skin reactions are possible. 

Symptoms

• Shaking the head
• Scratching the ears
• Tilting the head to one side
• Dark brown waxy debris in the ears that resembles coffee grounds
• Smelly ears
• Scratches and abrasions on the face and back of the ears from repeated scratching

Causes & prevention

Ear mites are highly contagious, and are transmitted between animals by direct contact and through things in the environment, like shared bedding, combs, and toys. Once one animal in your house has ear mites, they should all be treated because of the high likelihood of spread.  Humans can also become infected, though it is rare.  Good hygeine, like keeping your kitty's bedding washed and clean and cleaning his ears with an ear cleaner at least once a month will help prevent ear mites from infecting your cat.  Cats in multicat households that go outside are at the highest risk for infection.  Ear mites are especially common in kittens and cats from shelters or catteries.  Monthly treatment with topical heartworm prevention like Revolution is also a good method of preventing ear mites in the cat.

Treatment

Your veterinarian can confirm the presence of ear mites with an otoscope and by taking a sample of debris from the ear canal and looking at it under a microscope. Your veterinarian will then clean the ear canals thoroughly, prescribe medicated eardrops containing miticide, and recommend that you treat any other animals in your house. Antibiotics are also prescribed if the ears are infected. These parasites can also live on other parts of the body, so your vet may recommend additional treatment with a flea control product, like Revolution.

Your pet should feel better in a couple of days, but you may need to continue treatment for at least 3 weeks with some treatment options. In addition, it is suggested that you clean and treat your cat's bedding and favorite places with an appropriate insecticidal spray or powder since mites can live for several months without a host.

The future

It may take a month or more of treatment to get rid of ear mites. With proper medication and hygiene your pets should recover fully. If not treated, the infection could spread to the middle and inner ear, resulting in more serious problems. Also, excessive scratching and head shaking could cause blood vessels inside the earflap to rupture and leak blood between the two surfaces. This results in a swelling known as aural hematoma, which typically requires corrective surgery.

Resources:

"Feline Ear Mites." VetCentric.com.