Persistent Cat Ear Mites: Effective Solutions & Tips

Cat Ear Mite Symptoms

Cats suffering from ear mites exhibit several telltale signs. They often excessively scratch and shake their heads, leading to skin damage, bleeding, and even ear hematomas. You may notice brownish discharge and hyperkeratosis in the ear canal. In cases of secondary bacterial infection, cats can develop suppurative otitis externa and otomycosis, with thick, brown, crusty scabs visible in the external ear canal. Deep infections can lead to encephalitis, presenting with symptoms of brain nerve involvement. Cats in pain may show marked ear discomfort, be tender to the touch, and resist examination.

Treatment Methods

1. Topical ear treatments: Before applying any medication, clean the ear canal with a petspecific ear cleaning solution to remove some of the discharge. Medications containing ivermectin and moxidectin are highly effective for killing ear mites with a single application. Those containing thiabendazole can eliminate mites and their eggs, requiring a treatment course of 1014 days. Note: If using overthecounter medications that only kill adult mites and not eggs, treatment should last for at least three weeks.

2. Topical treatments at the nape of the neck; general external deworming medications are sufficient.

3. If secondary fungal or bacterial infections have occurred, concurrent treatment is necessary.

4. Due to the highly contagious nature of ear mites, in multicat households, all cats should be treated simultaneously.

5. Ear mites are resilient in the environment, so thorough cleaning and timely disinfection are essential.

Ear Canal Cleaning

1. Secure the Cat: If your cat is calm and easy to handle, this step is straightforward. For more feisty felines, you can wrap them in a large towel, leaving only their head exposed, or purchase a cat washing bag online.

2. Apply Ear Cleaning Solution:

a. Gently pull back the ear and quickly but steadily drop the ear cleaning solution into the ear canal. Avoid letting the cat shake its head, and massage the base of the ear to loosen earwax.

b. Allow the cat to shake its head to remove the dissolved earwax.

c. Swiftly wrap the cat in a towel and use a pair of tweezers to hold a small ball of cotton to clear the ear canal of any remaining debris. Avoid using cotton swabs, as they can irritate the ear canal damaged by ear mites and may provoke a strong reaction from the cat.

d. Apply or drop the treatment medication into the ear canal.

Ear mites can infect cats of all ages, but kittens with weaker immune systems and a tendency to explore are particularly susceptible. Outdoor cats are also at a higher risk of infection. Therefore, pet owners must not take ear mite prevention lightly!