What Are Ear Mites in Cats?
Ear mites, known scientifically as Otodectes cynotis, are microscopic parasites that live in the ear canal of cats and other animals. They are barely visible to the naked eye, appearing as tiny white specks similar to dandruff.
Ear mites are highly contagious and cats primarily get infected through direct contact with another infested animal. The mites quickly spread from cat to cat through playing, grooming, and snuggling. They can also be transferred indirectly by sharing bedding or living in a multi-cat household. Once established, the mites rapidly reproduce inside the ear canal, completing their life cycle in about 3 weeks.
Ear mites are the most common ear parasite found in cats. Kittens and stray or outdoor cats are particularly prone to infestations. While ear mites don’t directly harm or burrow into the skin, they can cause severe irritation and inflammation of the ear canal. Left untreated, ear mites can lead to more serious medical issues in cats.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms of ear mites in cats include:
Itchiness and scratching at the ears – Ear mites cause irritation and itchiness inside a cat’s ears. A cat with ear mites will often shake their head and scratch at their ears trying to relieve the itchiness.
Head shaking – The irritation caused by ear mites can lead cats to frequently shake their head from side to side.
Dark discharge in the ears – Ear mites produce a dark, coffee-ground-like discharge in the ears that resembles dirt or wax.
Odor from the ears – The accumulation of ear mites and discharge in the ears can produce a foul, unpleasant odor coming from the ears.
Crusty buildup in the ears – The discharge from ear mites can dry up and cause a crusty buildup inside the outer ear.
According to Vetericyn, ear mites can lead to cats “scratching and itching at their ears to the point of self-mutilation” (source). The intense itchiness and discomfort drive cats to vigorously scratch their ears.
Diagnosing Ear Mites
To diagnose ear mites, a veterinarian will first perform a thorough physical exam of your cat’s ears. They will use an otoscope, which is an instrument that allows visual examination of the ear canal. The otoscope has a light and magnifying lens to help identify the presence of mites or any damage caused by infestation.
Some key signs a vet looks for include dark coffee-ground looking debris, excess wax buildup, and crusty discharge. They may also see the mites themselves, which can appear as tiny white specs deep in the ear canal. However, ear mites often hide deep inside the ear out of view. If the vet cannot directly visualize mites with the otoscope, the next step is to take a sample of the ear discharge for microscopic examination.
To collect a sample, the vet uses a cotton swab to collect debris from deep in the ear canal. This sample is looked at under a microscope to identify ear mite eggs, larvae, or adults mites. The microscopic identification of ear mites is the most definitive way to diagnose an infestation (https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/ear-mites-in-cats/).
Treating Ear Mites
Treating ear mites involves killing the mites and providing relief for your cat. The most common treatments are medicated ear drops or flushes that contain ingredients aimed at killing mites, such as selamectin, sarolaner, or ivermectin [1]. These medicated drops are applied directly into the ear canal. It may take around 2-4 weeks of treatment to fully eliminate the mites [2].
Oral medications may also be prescribed, such as selamectin, sarolaner, or ivermectin. These help kill ear mites through the bloodstream when the cat grooms itself and ingests the medication [3].
It’s important to treat any secondary infections that may have developed from the ear mites, such as bacterial or fungal infections. Your vet will examine your cat’s ears and may prescribe antibiotic or antifungal ear medications as well [2]. Treating these underlying infections will provide relief for your cat and prevent more serious complications.
Preventing Reinfestation
To prevent your cat from getting ear mites again after treatment, it’s important to thoroughly clean their environment and treat any other pets that may be infected. Ear mites can survive for several days without a host, so all bedding, toys, litter boxes, and other items need to be washed and disinfected. Any fabric items that can’t be washed should be thrown out. All floors and surfaces should be vacuumed and cleaned as well.
In multi-pet households, all cats and dogs should be checked and treated for ear mites at the same time, even if they aren’t showing symptoms. Ear mites are highly contagious between animals who are in close contact. Treating all pets at once will help eliminate the mites from the environment and prevent them from spreading back to your cat.
Regular cleaning and grooming can also help prevent reinfestation. Brush your cat frequently to remove excess hair and debris where mites can live. Check their ears weekly for signs of irritation or infection. Keeping your cat’s environment and health in optimal condition makes it much less hospitable for parasites.
With diligent treatment of your cat and proper cleaning of your home, you can get rid of ear mites and keep them from coming back. Be vigilant about monitoring for recurring symptoms and get veterinary help if the mites persist despite your efforts. Prevention is key to breaking the cycle of reinfestation.
Source: https://petkeeper.org/cat-care/treating-and-preventing-ear-mites-i169.html
Complications
Left untreated, ear mites can lead to some serious complications in cats. Some of the most notable complications include:
- Ruptured eardrum – The inflammation and infection caused by ear mites can sometimes rupture a cat’s eardrum. This can lead to long-term hearing issues.
- Deafness – Chronic ear mite infections that are left untreated can cause permanent deafness in cats.
- Outer ear infection – The excessive scratching caused by ear mites can create wounds that allow bacteria to enter the outer ear canal, leading to a secondary infection.
- Facial nerve paralysis – In rare cases, the infection from ear mites can spread to the facial nerve and cause temporary paralysis of the face muscles.
That’s why it’s critical to have your vet examine your cat and treat any ear mite infestation before it can lead to these serious complications. The sooner treatment begins, the lower the risk of long-term issues from ear mites.
Prognosis
The prognosis for cats with ear mites is generally good with prompt and appropriate treatment. Topical medications containing ingredients like selamectin, sarolaner, or ivermectin are usually effective at killing off the mites within 1-2 weeks [1]. Cats may require additional treatments over the next few weeks to ensure any eggs and newly hatched mites are also eliminated.
However, if left completely untreated, ear mites can lead to more serious complications. The excessive scratching and head shaking caused by the mites irritates the ear canal, which can result in bacterial or yeast infections developing. These secondary infections may cause permanent damage, including scarring of the ear canal or eardrum perforation potentially leading to hearing loss or deafness. Cats with chronic ear mite infestations untreated for months or years are at highest risk of these complications [2].
To prevent any long-term issues, it’s critical to have your vet diagnose ear mites promptly and follow their recommended treatment plan. Attending all recheck appointments is important to monitor progress and ensure the mites and any resulting infections have been fully cleared.
Euthanasia
Euthanasia is only considered in severe cases of untreated ear mite infestation that leads to extreme and incurable suffering in cats.
Ear mites are very treatable, so euthanasia is not commonly needed for cats with ear mites. However, in rare cases where the infestation is left untreated for an extended period, complications like severe infection or damage to structures within the ear can develop. This may cause profound pain, neurological issues, or impairment that cannot be resolved even with treatment. If a cat’s quality of life is so poor that living is painful and distressing, euthanasia may be considered the most humane option to prevent further suffering.
According to veterinary sources, euthanasia specifically due to ear mites is uncommon, as the mites are readily treated with topical and/or oral medication. With prompt and proper treatment, most cats fully recover from ear mites. Euthanasia is typically only considered if the infestation leads to advanced, untreated otitis media or interna that is unresponsive to treatment. Even then, euthanasia is a last resort when the cat’s suffering cannot be managed.
Overall, while euthanasia is an option in severe ear mite cases leading to significant suffering, it is rarely necessary. With routine veterinary care and adherence to prescribed medication, nearly all infestations can be cured or effectively managed for the cat’s comfort.
Preventing Ear Mites in Cats
To prevent ear mites from recurring or becoming a chronic issue, there are a few key steps cat owners can take:
Get regular ear exams and cleanings. One of the best ways to catch an ear mite infestation early is through regular vet exams. Most vets recommend examining a cat’s ears thoroughly at least once a year and cleaning them as needed. During an exam, the vet can look for signs of inflammation, discharge, or debris that could indicate mites. Catching an infestation early makes treatment easier.
Use monthly flea and mite prevention medications. Many of the same medications that kill fleas also kill ear mites, such as selamectin, imidacloprid, and fipronil. By using these monthly preventatives, any ear mites that get on the cat will be killed before they can reproduce and cause an infestation. This helps break the reinfestation cycle.
In addition to exams and medication, keeping the cat’s environment clean can help reduce mite exposure. This includes regularly washing bedding and vacuuming. With diligence about prevention, ear mites can usually be avoided.
When to See a Vet
It’s recommended to take your cat to the vet if you notice any of the following:
– Any signs of irritation or discharge in or around the ears – This could indicate a secondary infection that may require prescription medication in addition to treating the ear mites. Watch for redness, swelling, scratching, head shaking, or dark discharge. Ear mites can damage the ear canal allowing bacteria and yeast to cause a secondary infection (source).
– No improvement after initial over-the-counter treatment – Ear mites can be stubborn to fully eliminate. If you don’t see improvement within 1-2 weeks of using an OTC product, your vet should examine your cat and may prescribe a stronger medication (source).