Cat Ear Mites Treatment

Ear mites are a common problem for cats, especially cats who are allowed outdoors. Ear mites, scientific name Otodectes cynotis, are a crab-like parasite that lives on the surface of the ear canal of animals. They are easy to spot; if your cat has them, it will look like he has black, oily dirt inside his ear. The mites will make your cat uncomfortable and itchy while they feed on debris and tissue in the ear.

If you see your cat scratching their ears or shaking their head and see dirty ears, it is likely that you cat is suffering from ear mites. It is important to treat your cat for these parasites. They are highly contagious among cats and if you have multiple cats, it can spread quickly. If one of your cats gets ear mites, meticulously check all of your cats for this problem. Also, ear mites can be passed to and from other species including dogs. Ear mites can also affect humans, so treatment is imperative.

Ear mites can cause inflammation in the ears. If they are left untreated, these bothersome parasites can lead to bacterial and yeast infections and can rupture the eardrum. Often, ruptured ear drums in cats can lead to seizures and eventually deafness. If you believe that your cat has ear mites, take your cat to the vet. There are treatments that can help your cat get rid of the ear mites.

The easiest way to prevent your cat from getting ear mites, is to keep your pet indoors and use flea prevention regularly. There are a several types of flea prevention methods that your vet can prescribe. Most treatments are applied once monthly and will kill fleas, their eggs, and prevent mites.

When you take your cat to the vet for ear mites, there is a type of prescription ear drop that can be used to kill the ear mites. This is typically applied to your cat's ears two to three times a day for several days. If you've never treated ear mites before, it would be good to have a vet demonstrate how it is done by treating the cat the first time. Then you can do the last few applications at home.

The prescription ear drop will kill the ear mites and will also defend against a second outbreak. If the cat already has an infection caused by the mites, an injections can also be given by the vet.

Ivermectin is another treatment for ear mites in cats. This is a somewhat new way to treat ear mites. The FDA, however, does not approve this treatment for treating ear mites. Many vets find Ivermectin to be very effective for treating ear mites but should tell you that it is not officially approved for this use. This medication is the same medicine used to treat heartworms in dogs.

There is a treatment that can be done at home if you are extremely careful with your cat's ears. This treatment should not be used though if the ear mite outbreak has caused an ear infection. If your cat has an ear infection, he or she will usually have a strong odor in the ears. For treatments at home, use a little amount of baby oil or mineral oil to clean out the cat's ears. Put a small amount of the oil in an eyedropper and drop into the cat's ears. Next grasp the base of the ear between your thumb and finger and rub together for a about 5 seconds. Then take a clean tissue and gently wipe out the cat's ear out. Do not try to stick your finger too far down the ear canal. This treatment should be continued twice a day until the cat's ears are clear of the black mite.

If you suspect your cat has ear mites, always consult a vet before you begin treatment. If it turns out that your cat has something more serious than mites, such as an ear infection, he will need to follow a different course of treatment. Your vet can diagnose the problem by examining your cat. It is also likely that your vet will ask you to bring the cat back after you have finished treatment. This way, she can make sure that all of the mites are gone, and help to prevent re-infection.

About the Author:
For free ezines, ecourses, and ebooks click Free Info Products.Click for Ron King's Articles For Authors OR Cat Information.

Copyright 2007 Win-Win Marketing. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Tags: cat , ear mites , preventing ear mites , Stopping ear mites

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