Primarily the most common cause of ear infection, ear mites are spider-like parasites that cause a lot of irritation and inflammation in cats. They find their abode in the warm, damp places of the body, preferably the ears (yes they might exist on other parts of a cats body), where the flow of air is minimal. Their food is the epidermal debris and ear wax that they easily get by placing themselves strategically in the ears. While they nibble on this, the cat is in misery, irritated because of inflammation, as a result of which the body starts producing more wax, hence, providing the perfect environment for the mites growth. Ear mites may also cause allergies.Since cats depend a lot on their audio abilities, the ears also play an important role in climbing and keeping the balance of a cat. Thus, anything afflicting the ear poses a serious threat to the well-being of your cat.
The Lifecycle of Ear Mites
The ideal place for an ear mite (otodectes cynotis, being the most common type) to live is either on the skin or just under the skin. They have 2 month long lifecycle. They tend to lay their eggs in the cats fur or the ear canal that hatch in about 4 days. The larvae become nymphs and later adult ear mites.
Causes
The most common cause is your cat getting ear mites from another cat. This can happen when they are sharing the same place to sleep or during playtime. The cat can also get them if it is exposed to an area frequented by an affected cat.
Symptoms
The initial and most apparent sign that you will note is your cat scratching its ears or shaking its head. Because of excessive scratching, the ears may start bleeding and the head shaking may lead to broken small blood vessels causing hematomas. The ears of your cat will roll out and seem flattened and they will be painful to touch (be it yours or its own). The ears will also give off a bad odor. There is an increase in the production of wax, fever and lethargy.
Diagnosis
On close examination of the ears, you will find dark reddish-brown or black debris i.e. the ear wax and blood, along the ear canal and small white dots in that debris which are the ear mites. Your veterinarian however, will confirm the claim by examining the ear through an otoscope, a magnifying tool. He may also take sample of the dark debris to thoroughly check what it actually is as secondary bacterial or yeast infections are also very common.
Treatment
Ear mites must be treated as early as possible as any negligence can lead to damaged ear canal and ear drums, or even deafness. Ear mite treatments are readily available at pet stores or you might want a prescription from the vet. Your veterinarian will most probably prescribe an oily insecticide for cleaning your cats ears. All the substance that has amassed has to be removed on a daily basis while the medicine has to be applied thoroughly in the ear, leaving no corner. When applying the medicine follow any special instructions that your vet might have given you or ones that come with the product. Ear drops might also be prescribed for a period of 3 weeks. Antibiotics might be needed for secondary infections. Flea powder may be used to rid the cat of any eggs that might be hidden in the fur of the cat.
However, if you are more of a home remedy a person, the following treatment is just for you! You can easily rid yourself of the ear mites by using mineral oil. However, you might want to confirm your claim that your cat actually has ear mites by a veterinarian. Once, diagnosed, you may start your treatment by applying mineral oil through an eye dropper or a special ear irrigation pump. It will do two things: dissolve the ear wax and the rest of the substance, hence cleaning the ear, and kill the ear mites. Massage the ear with the oil with your thumb gradually loosening and getting rid of the ear mites and wax and your fingers placed at the back of the ears. Do not try to force your thumbs in the ears. Just massage the ear wherever the thumb easily goes. In doing so, spread the oil throughout the ear. Once you are done with it, let your cat naturally shake the oil out of its ears. You might want to do this outside as along with the mineral oil, the exudates and the ear wax will also be cleared and a shaken out of the ears. After this exercise, if you still find some wax or exudates in the ear, remove them with a cotton ball, gently wiping them off. It is recommended not to use Q-tips for this purpose.
Prevention
An option for prevention of ear mites is the use of a Revolution, a parasiticide. If it is applied to a cats skin once it is 6 months old or over, it keeps the cat from parasites such as heartworm, adult fleas, and ear mites and even keeps flea eggs from hatching.
Once your cat has been successfully cured of the ear mites, wash the bedding and thoroughly clean the area that the cat had been using to eliminate any ear mites left in the environment. Also vacuum-clean your carpets.
Are Ear Mites contagious?
Yes, ear mites are extremely contagious and may easily be transferred from one cat to another cat or even a dog. Thus, when one of your pet is diagnosed with ear mites, make sure you get all of them examined.
Although, ear mites are extremely contagious for cats and dogs, they do not affect the humans.
Other Ear Infections
Other than ear mites, there are various causes of ear infections. These include sunburn, fungal or bacterial infections, tumor or polyp in ear and inner ear disease. There might also be an infection because of a wound left unattended during a cat fight.
Although, deafness is not an ear infection, it is an ear problem. A cat may be deaf by birth. These are principally the white ones with blue eyes. Ones with different colored eyes (e.g. one blue, one brown) are said to deaf in one ear. Cats with deafness should be kept indoors since there are dangers outdoors they wont be able to foresee because of a lack of hearing.
