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.
Wash any bedding and any other blankets your pet comes into contact with. While ear mites don't live long when not inside your pet's ear, it is best to make sure all your bedding and blankets are clean and ear mite free. Wash them in hot soapy water.
Well, first of all, you obviously have to treat the ear mite infection. Secondly, you need to clean your house thoroughly. Ear mites can spread to cat's fur and his bedding.
Results: Washing clothing and bedding in water alone, detergent, or detergent plus bleach removed 60% to 83% of the live mites.
Here are a few essential oils that mites hate: Tea Tree oil. Lavender Oil. Eucalyptus Oil.
“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.”
Green tea is a natural antiseptic that will get rid of mites. It'll also help remove the “coffee grounds” debris. Massage your dog's ears gently (she should love this!)
Only a few mite species are parasitic on birds or mammals; but these can occasionally become biting pests in homes. Identifying the type of mite and/or likely host is the first step in solving an indoor mite infestation.
Ear mites are contagious to some other animals (for example, cats, dogs, and ferrets), but they are not contagious to humans. Ear mites are microscopic. Your veterinarian can find them by examining ear debris under a microscope.
Ear mites spread rapidly, and can be transmitted from even brief physical contact with other animals. In pets, ear mites most commonly affect cats, ferrets, and to a lesser extent dogs. Humans can rarely be infected with ear mites. Infected animals have a large amount of crumbly dark brown material in their ears.
To ensure all mite eggs have been eliminated treatment needs to continue for a minimum of 3 weeks. 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.
Fortunately, when it comes to ear mites in cats, treatment is relatively straightforward. If your vet diagnoses your cat with ear mites, an anti-parasitic medication will be prescribed.
What is the life cycle of the ear mite? It takes approximately 3 weeks for a mite to develop from egg to adult, going through a total of 5 stages. Adult ear mites live about 2 months, during which time they continually reproduce.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Unless your cat's ears have cuts or sores, ACV is an effective ear mite remedy worth trying.
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.
Many spot on flea treatments also prevent and treat ear mites, and - if recommended by your vet - this is by far and away the easiest way to protect your pet from the parasites. One or two applications is usually enough and they are a lot less stressful for your pet – and for you – than ear drops.
They are most active at night, so clean and treat the ears each evening at bedtime.
Dust mites are repulsed by the smell of Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavendar, Peppermint, and Rosemary. Make your own aromatic spray by adding a few drops of one (or more) of those essential oils in a water-filled spray bottle.
Ear mites are transmitted through social interaction with other infected cats, which can include grooming, sleeping and playing together. All cats should be checked regularly for any signs of ear mites. Ear mites can be successfully treated with a number of medications.
A general rule of thumb is that hot water—130 degrees Fahrenheit or higher—kills dust mites*.
Clothing. Dust mites can even enter your closet and stick to your clothes. That's why sometimes when you wear your clothes, it itches a little.
It will take at least three weeks after treatment begins for the mites to be completely gone. Over the course of this time period, your cat's itchiness should begin to subside as the medication takes effect. If your cat's symptoms don't improve, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.