Unfortunately you will always need to treat ear mites in your cat because they will not go away on their own. If treating ear mites in cats is delayed for too long you run the risk of chronic ear infections.
The most common type of ear mite is Otodectes cynotis, which live in the ear canal and feed by piercing the thin skin. This causes severe itching and, if left untreated, can cause bacterial infections, swelling of the ear canal and eventually partial or total deafness.
“There are many topical, oral, and systemic agents,” Dr. Miller notes, “and most—such as ivermectin—are highly effective. Even one old-time remedy—baby oil—can do the job. A few drops put into an affected ear several times a day for a month or so will usually smother the mites.”
If using a single use product such as Revolution one dose is often enough to get rid of an ear mite infection but it will still take up to three or four weeks for the infection to completely clear up.
The ear canals typically have a dark, coffee ground-like substance in them. Cats may have itching of the ears, but not always. The mites also can crawl to other parts of the body and can cause itching there.
Speaking of washing bedding …
You'll want to do a thorough cleaning to avoid those trouble makers from coming back and setting up shop in your pet's precious ears … AGAIN! Ear mites can live 4-6 days without feeding on a host. Since they're microscopic they can be living in your carpet or on your couch.
Female O cynotis mites cement developing eggs to the epidermal lining of the ear canal; larvae hatch in a few days and molt through 2 nymphal stages to the next generation of adults. Ear mites feed on epithelial cells, exudate, and tissue fluid but do not burrow. The entire life cycle takes less than 3 weeks.
The ear mite, Otodectes cynotis, is a surface mite that lives on cats, dogs, rabbits, and ferrets. It is usually found in the ear canal but it can also live on the skin surface. Ear mites are highly contagious, and animals become infested by direct contact with another infested animal.
Ear mites and yeast infections have some similar symptoms, so sometimes, it's hard to decipher between them. Puppies are usually more prone to ear mites than adult dogs. Yeast infections, on the other hand, happen in both puppies and adult dogs.
Take your pet to the vet if his ears are red, have a bad odor or he is scratching his ears or shaking his head for proper care. Olive oil, mineral oil or coconut oil—oils are relatively safe to use, and olive oil can kill ear mites by smothering them though it takes many weeks to clear ear mites with this method.
Here are a few essential oils that mites hate: Tea Tree oil. Lavender Oil. Eucalyptus Oil.
Unfortunately you will always need to treat ear mites in your cat because they will not go away on their own. If treating ear mites in cats is delayed for too long you run the risk of chronic ear infections.
Otherwise, some mites may survive to reinfect your dog. You will also need to disinfect your home. The home treatment for ear mites is similar to that of fleas. Thoroughly cleaning and vacuuming your home and treating all other animals in the household will help.
“Ear mites tend to cause dry, dark discharge, which may resemble coffee grounds,” explains Dr. Wilde. If you examine the discharge under a microscope or magnifying glass, you may see tiny white specks moving about in the debris. These are live ear mites.
Itching: The first sign of an ear mite infestation may be your dog scratching his head. Dark, crumbly reddish-brown discharge: This is often composed of dried blood and will resemble coffee grounds.
They are most active at night, so clean and treat the ears each evening at bedtime.
Spotted within Jazmine's ear canal, mites may also live on the skin or even underneath it to feed off dead skin tissue or human secretions like ear wax and skin oils. Although infestation is rare among humans, some ear mites are easily transmitted by jumping from one person or animal to another.
Mite bites.
A healthcare provider may think you have mites based on your health history and a physical exam. Intense itching and many small, red bumps, like pimples, are seen. Burrows may also be seen. These look like thin, wavy lines.
So how can you tell the difference? Cats that aren't suffering an ear mite infection have a lighter brown earwax color that does not smell. The darkly colored earwax caused by an ear mite infection will often have ear discharge resembling coffee grounds.
That being said, how is it that some pets with ear mites do not get cured? One of the most common reasons is that the ear gets full of dead skin, ear wax, ear mite poop and debris from secondary infections.
If ear mites are found, an oral or topical treatment will be prescribed. We don't recommend some of the natural remedies found on the Internet, such as drowning the mites in oil or using eucalyptus or tea tree oil. It would take a lot of oil to drown mites and could further clog up your pet's ear.
Unless your cat's ears have cuts or sores, ACV is an effective ear mite remedy worth trying. Just follow these steps: Dilute the ACV with water. The mixture should be ½ water and ½ ACV.
Ear mites are tiny, spider-like creatures that are normally contracted from the outdoor environment that your feline friend comes into contact with. This can include wooded or grassy areas, or animal shelters or veterinary offices with poor hygiene.