Effective Treatment for Cat Ear Mites: Quick Guide

What is Ear Mite?

Ear mites, also known as otomycosis, are the most common parasites found in a cat's ear canals. They are caused by the Otodectes cynotis and Notoedres cati mites, which are highly contagious parasites.

Mites are tiny, white insects that can be found on a cat's skin or in their ears. Ear mites are transmitted by the infestation of dog ear mites. More than half of cats suffering from otitis media are found to have ear mites as the root cause.

Symptoms of Ear Mites in Cats:

① Itching, Scratching, and Hair Loss with Bleeding (Ear mites can cause severe itching in cats, often leading to scratching with the hind legs or shaking their heads to rub against objects. This can result in scratches around the ears, neck, and base of the tail. Excessive scratching may lead to hair loss and bleeding, with blood and lymph fluid accumulating under the skin around the ears, sometimes forming blood blisters.)

② Black or Brown Discharge (The cat's external ear canal can become blocked with oil, blood, lymph fluid, and mite exudates, leading to a persistent bad odor from the ear.)

How to Treat Ear Mites in Cats?

The principle of treating ear mites in cats is "clean first, medicate next, and then control secondary infections." Use a petspecific ear cleaning solution to thoroughly clean the affected cat's ears, ensuring not to scratch the ear canal during the process.

Hold the cat's ears and gently rub them to allow the solution to evenly distribute within the ear canal. Release the ears, and the cat will naturally shake its head, expelling the dirty matter and the solution together.

The treatment for ear mites in cats typically shows significant improvement within about a week.

How to Prevent Ear Mites in Cats?

① Regularly inspect and maintain your cat's ears

② Keep the ear canals dry

③ Schedule regular deworming

④ Maintain good indoor hygiene