What does ear mite look like in cats and how can it be cured?

Ear mites in kittens and adult cats are not so rare. In the absence of timely, qualified treatment, a pet can not only lose hearing, but also die. That's why it's important to keep an eye on your animal: if your cat is shaking its head and scratching its ears, it's time to check it for ticks.

Features of the disease

Otodecosis in cats is caused by the microscopic (about ½ mm) insect Otodectes cynotus.
The parasite has a whitish oval body and jointed limbs. It loves moisture and warmth, so it parasitizes inside the animal’s ear canal, feeding on skin scales, blood, and lymph. Outside the host's body, the tick can live for about two months. In most cases, the parasite affects both ears of the cat. The likelihood of infection is especially high during the warm and humid seasons - spring and early autumn. The risk group includes kittens under one year old and weakened animals. It may take several years from the moment of infection to obvious signs of the presence of a tick. The disease manifests itself especially clearly when a bacterial infection is added to the skin damage by the parasite. Due to itching and pain, an exhausted pet cannot sleep or eat.

Briefly about the pathogen

Otodectes cynotis, the causative agent of the disease, is so small that it is difficult to see with the naked eye. Its body dimensions are approximately 0.2-0.5 mm. However, if you examine with a magnifying glass what an ear mite looks like, you can see slowly moving pale yellow, white dots. The parasite feeds on skin scales from the ear canal of animals. Lives on the surface and does not dig.

The life of a tick lasts 3 weeks:

1. Females lay eggs and attach them to the skin with a viscous substance and cement them. Each female lays 5 eggs per day.
2. After 4 days the larvae appear. Within 3-10 days they begin to actively feed. Then comes the rest phase (from 10 to 30 hours).
3. The cycle changes and the larvae move into different stages of development (protonymph and deutonymph).
4. While in the deutonymph stage, the larvae attach themselves to the males. And if the deutonymph is a future female, then when she becomes an adult, she already turns out to be a carrier of eggs.

An adult lives on average 2 months. Life outside the animal lasts approximately 12 days.

The danger of ear mites for cats

Ear mites feed on skin particles, causing severe damage to the skin. If left untreated, your cat may develop serious health problems:

• unbearable itching causes constant scratching of the ears, which leads to damage to the capillaries and the appearance of extensive hematomas;
• Bacterial and fungal infections penetrate into places where the skin is damaged, the inflammatory process begins, the ear tissues swell, redden, and fester;
• gradually the inflammation spreads to the eardrum and to the inner ear - otitis media and myringitis develop.

Further delay with therapy will lead to weakening and then loss of hearing. Pain and itching interfere with normal rest and eating. The animal becomes irritated, nervous, and aggressive. Over time, inflammation can penetrate the membranes of the brain, resulting in death.

How do you get infected with otodectosis?

Ear mites in cats can appear if the animal has been walking outside and has been in contact with other cats. Most homeless animals suffer from otodectosis. If you let your pet outside, you should carefully examine it after a walk and do not neglect the rules of hygiene.

There is a possibility of introducing ticks on shoes or clothes. The owner can pet an infected feline or simply walk past a pack of stray animals - and this will be enough for the parasite to travel to a completely domestic cat.

There is a high risk of the disease appearing in those homes where similar cases have already occurred. Ear mites in a kitten are transmitted from the mother, as well as through carpets, various products, home furniture - everything that can accumulate dust particles and microorganisms.

Routes of transmission of ticks from one individual to another

The most common variant of infection is contact with already sick animals. It is enough for one cat to sniff another for several parasites to leave the host and be transmitted to a healthy animal. But there are also indirect methods of infection.

Cat ear mites live up to two months in their natural environment, which means they can be picked up through indirect contact. The disease is transmitted through care products: scratchers, carriers, bedding. Sometimes the infection is carried by fleas or flies.

If a room is not regularly cleaned, the mite settles there, waiting for a host. This should be taken into account when moving or when leaving a cat as a guest for a while.

At elevated temperatures the parasite lives even longer. It stays on clothing and shoes. Therefore, it is important to protect your cats from contact with outdoor shoes and outerwear - ideally, there should be a closed closet in the apartment.

To summarize, we can say that the main “helper” of otodectosis infection is unsanitary conditions. A domestic cat that is carefully cared for, vaccinated and kept clean has the least chance of getting sick.

Progression of the disease in stages

Otodectosis is the most popular skin disease. Ear mites in cats are diagnosed in 85% of cases when breeders treat suspected otitis media. The carpet beetle corrodes the upper surfaces of the epidermis, located on the inside of the shell. The disease proceeds as follows:

1. Mechanical injury. At this point, the upper layers of the dermis are damaged. With its powerful mouthparts, the parasite chews the surface, obtaining blood and lymph. The nerve endings become irritated, resulting in severe itching.
2. Blood vessels begin to thin out. They become filled with blood, redness and swelling appear.
3. You may notice persistent discharge in areas of damaged skin.
4. Dark brown scabs form from dead skin cells, as well as other waste products of pests. The whole process is accompanied by the formation of putrefactive microflora.
5. There is a gradual accumulation of scabs and crusts, which leads to the formation of a plug. Hearing begins to become dull. If measures are not taken, the eardrum will rupture. The infection opens up to the middle and inner ear.

If parasitosis is advanced, then an active inflammatory process develops in the inner and middle ear. The symptom is a certain behavior of the animal: the sick person walks with his head turned 90 or even 120 degrees. The ear that hurts will point downwards. This process leads to the spread of pathology to the membranes of the brain, sepsis and, as a result, death.

Breeders need to remember that such a simple disease can result in disastrous consequences. But even in advanced cases, it is possible to successfully treat ear mites in a cat and avoid serious consequences.

How can a pet become infected?

A cat can pick up ear mites on the street, through contact with sick animals or in walking areas. Most stray cats suffer from otodecosis, so letting your pet roam freely is fraught with negative consequences.

The parasite can be picked up on shoes by the owner while accidentally walking in places where stray cats like to gather. An owner can bring ear mites home after petting someone else's pet with otodecosis. In addition, there is a high probability of disease in homes where there have already been (or are) cases of the disease in other animals.

Kittens can become infected at birth from a mother who is a carrier of ear mites. Infection through bedding, carpets, household furniture or dishes is possible.

Danger to humans and other animals

Many owners fear that ear mites are dangerous to humans. However, otodectosis is not transmitted to people or even small children. But for other pets the disease is dangerous, as it is easily and quickly transmitted.

It is worth remembering that a person can become a carrier of parasites without getting sick. Therefore, it is easier to keep the house clean and care for your pet than to treat it later.

Symptoms of ear mites in cats

There are practically no symptoms of ear mites in cats at the onset of the disease. You should take your pet to a veterinarian if the following signs of illness are detected:

• frequent scratching of the ears, leading to bruising;
• head shaking, restlessness;
• discharge from the ear canal of liquid, stuck together pieces of sulfur of a dirty gray or dirty brown color;
• glued fur on the ears;
• hair loss in the ear area;
• purulent ulcers on the outer ear;
• swelling and redness of the ears;
• unpleasant odor;
• the animal walks with its head bowed.

You should suspect odecosis if your cat periodically shakes its head and scratches its ears. Discharge, odor and other signs appear later, when the disease takes an advanced form.

Diagnosis of otodecosis

Even if there are seemingly obvious signs of ear mites, the cat should be shown to a veterinarian. Similar symptoms may appear with dermatoses, lichen, fungal and bacterial infections. In addition, there is another type of external microscopic parasite that lives on the ears of cats. Therefore, before starting treatment, a diagnosis is required.

The diagnosis is made based on examination and microscopic examination of scrapings from the surface of the auricle. Under a microscope, the doctor will quickly identify the parasite and prescribe appropriate treatment.

If laboratory diagnostics are not possible, you can try the home method. To do this you will need a black sheet of paper and a magnifying glass. You need to take a little discharge from the inner surface of your pet’s ear and smear it on paper. If there is a parasite, then on the leaf it looks like a moving whitish dot.

Act now

Many owners are frightened by the complexity and painstakingness of therapeutic procedures. In the early stages, the disease is treated for 7 days, then preventive measures are started. In an advanced state, drug therapy will take at least a month, after which a long rehabilitation and restoration of immunity is carried out. During therapy, the pet is quarantined, completely excluding its contact with other animals.

It is important to adhere to all instructions from a veterinarian.

If you notice alarming symptoms, do not let the situation take its course. Remember that despite a positive prognosis in 90% of cases, 10% result in complete hearing loss or death in affected animals. An ear mite that has reached the nerve tissue is the most dangerous possible outcome.

Monitor your pet's condition and do not forget about prevention. If you suspect otodectosis, do not hesitate and do not try to treat the animal yourself. After all, an incorrect diagnosis can cost lives.

You should acquire a useful habit: make an appointment at the veterinary clinic once a month. During a structural examination, the doctor will pay attention to all the details in your pet's health, which will prevent any diseases and maintain his health.

The health of your pet is entirely in your hands, so you need to carefully monitor it!

Medicines for ticks

Medicines for ear mites are available in the form of ointments or drops. Among the large assortment, it is difficult to choose the right remedy on your own: you should take into account the degree of damage, the presence of concomitant infections, and the age of the animal. In the treatment of otodecosis, the medications listed below are most often used.

A drug

Course of treatment, dosage

Note

Amidel

The gel is applied to the cleaned surface of the ear 3-5 times at intervals of one week.

Do not use on kittens under 2 months of age or on cats during pregnancy.

Otoferonol Gold

Apply twice with a break a week. Dosage – 3 drops in each ear.

Do not use on kittens under two months of age or pregnant cats. The product destroys the parasite and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Aversectin ointment

Apply 2-4 times, interval – 7 days.

Do not apply the ointment to kittens under 2 months of age or during pregnancy.

Amitrazine

The course of treatment includes 4-5 procedures. The breaks between instillations are three days. Dosage – ½ ml in one ear.

Not for use in pregnant cats.

Dekta

Ear drops are used every five days, 4-5 drops once. A total of 2-4 procedures are required.

The product is not suitable for babies under 30 days old and pregnant cats. The composition includes an antibacterial component.

In difficult situations, the veterinarian will prescribe injections or antibacterial drugs.

Ways to combat the disease

Treatment options depend on many factors, such as how advanced the disease is and how much the ear canal is affected. After diagnosis, the specialist will prescribe a drug to remove ear mites in cats. Typically therapy consists of several stages:

• clean your ears regularly;
• use medicinal drugs;
• increase the animal's immunity.

Otodectosis should be treated with drops and sprays, and you will have to find an approach to the cat or dog - the procedure is not pleasant. It is important to follow some rules when using remedies against otitis and scabies to reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Cat health begins with hygiene and good immunity.

Treatment rules

Proper care of the feline is the main principle of treatment. It is necessary to protect other pets, otherwise ear parasites will spread to them. What you need to remember before starting therapy at home:

1. Joint treatment. If there are other animals living in your house (otitis occurs not only in cats and dogs), it is advisable to treat their ears for 7-10 days. If there are no signs of the disease, traditional medicine will help - they are completely safe even for pregnant and lactating cats.
2. Cleaning. It is recommended to thoroughly clean the house, as the larvae could remain wherever the pet walked. Be sure to wash the bed in hot water or use antibacterial agents for treatment. Unfortunately, larvae can remain in fabrics even after washing - it is better to repeat the procedure after a few days. Take the time to wash the curtains, wash your outdoor shoes, and thoroughly vacuum the carpet and furniture.
3. Keep an eye on four-legged animals. As already mentioned, ear mites also affect other areas of the body, such as the paws or tail of an animal. When applying medicinal products to the fur, make sure that your pet does not lick them off.

And you always need to be proactive - a strong immune system allows you to avoid many diseases. To effectively boost immunity in cats or dogs, you should choose products with vitamins in consultation with your doctor. Attention is also paid to diet.

SUPERPET species-specific nutrition strengthens the immune system of cats, and otodecosis appears much less frequently in animals on a proper diet. According to the majority of clients whose cats were sick, after switching to SUPERPET, the health of their pets improved. Order the Starter Kit and get your first consultation with a veterinarian for free.

Drug therapy

There are many anti-otodectosis medications for pets, but only a specialist knows which one will help your pet. Before use, be sure to consult with him - all medications for otodectosis have contraindications.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a remedy for this unpleasant disease? First of all, safety, since possible side effects and risks should not exceed the therapeutic effect. Efficiency and convenience are also important, because your four-legged friend does not always like the treatment process. For comparison, here are the most accessible means:

1. Decta. Drops with an antibacterial effect against ear mites. It is recommended to drip 4 drops into each ear canal with an interval of 5 days. Typically, a course for pets consists of 3-4 procedures. Contraindications include pregnancy and kittens up to one month old.
2. Amidel. A gel that is applied to well-cleaned ears. The drug is used up to five times a week. Amidel shows excellent results in the treatment of many infectious diseases, however, it is prohibited to use it for pregnant cats, nursing cats and kittens.
3. Amitrazine. Drops are instilled into the animal's ear canal every 3 days. 4-5 applications of 2-4 drops each are enough to cure the disease. Like many medications, it is contraindicated in pregnant females.
4. Otoferonol Gold. Once a week, 2-3 drops are instilled into the affected ears - this procedure is repeated twice. The advantage is that the drug not only relieves the disease, but also heals irritated skin in the auditory organ in cats and dogs. These drops have contraindications: age and pregnancy.
5. Aversectin ointment. Apply a thin layer of the substance to the inner surface of the animal's ear. Apply once every 7 days for three weeks. Effectively fights the parasite, as it affects the muscle cells of the tick.

Topical drops are not always good. They often only work during treatment: once the drug is stopped, the ear mites may return. In addition, some of them cause a strong burning sensation when they come into contact with the irritated skin inside the ears.

Experts often recommend taking a closer look at systemic medications, namely drops on the withers against otodectosis in cats and dogs. It is also necessary to mention Gamavit and Tetravit - these are immunostimulants that are administered intravenously. It is unacceptable to use these drugs on your own, since the drug must be prescribed and administered by a veterinarian.

All medications are prescribed by a veterinarian, and treatment must be carried out under his supervision.

ethnoscience

To treat otodectosis at the earliest stage, when there is no visible damage to the ear canal, you can use folk remedies for scabies. It is also advisable to resort to them when ticks appear in pregnant and lactating cats, as well as kittens.

ATTENTION! We strongly recommend that you consult a veterinarian before using traditional methods to combat ear mites in cats.

The first thing you need to do at home is to clean your ears. To do this, you should use a cotton pad, not swabs, as they can easily damage the hearing aid. Soak the swab in warm water, squeeze lightly and gently remove wax and discharge from the ears of cats. Repeat the procedure as necessary.

Then you can start processing your pet’s shells using folk recipes. One of them is a strong infusion of green tea leaves. You need to use loose leaf tea, not bagged tea (it should be without any additives). Brew the leaves, cool so that the liquid is warm, and drop 2-3 drops into the animal’s ears. You need to be careful - you may be allergic to tea.

Garlic ointment and infusion are effective means of combating ear scabies in cats. Pass ½ clove through a press and mix with 2 tbsp. l. vegetable oil and leave for 24 hours, then strain through cheesecloth. Lubricate the cleaned inner surface with the resulting substance once a day. The duration of treatment is approximately a month. Important: garlic should not be used if there is irritation or wounds on your pet’s skin.

Almond oil also shows good results. After cleaning the animal's ears, you need to drop 2-3 drops into the ear canal to treat scabies. Repeat daily for two weeks until ear parasites disappear. Oil can also be used to remove dirt, but frequent use can cause dryness. 3% hydrogen peroxide works well for cleansing.

Let us repeat that the presence of obvious symptoms of otodectosis in cats (severe itching, odor from the ears, dark plaque) is a good reason to put homemade drops away and visit a specialist. The longer you delay this moment, the more time it will take to treat your furry friend.

How to treat the ears

You need to treat the ears of your furry pet as follows.

• Before using the medicine, the cat's ears are cleaned of accumulated plaque. This will allow the medicine to penetrate deeper. For cleansing, use special solutions or regular vegetable oil. The surface of the ear is wiped with a cotton pad or a piece of bandage soaked in the solution. Hydrogen peroxide or other agents should not be instilled into the ear canal!
• Apply ointment or drops to the clean surface of the auricle in the amount specified in the instructions for the drug.
• To ensure that the medicine is distributed evenly, the ear needs to be massaged a little.
• If drops are used, the cat's head should be supported to prevent shaking and the medicine being thrown out.
• In conclusion, it is recommended to wipe the auricle again with a cotton pad soaked in the same product.

Attention: it is not recommended to use cotton swabs to treat the ears of an animal - the likelihood of injury to the ear canal and infection in the deep parts of the ear increases.

Concomitant therapy

When treating ear mites, you need to keep in mind that the parasite can spread to the cat’s body, so in parallel with treating the ears, antiparasitic procedures for the whole body should be carried out. To do this, just apply a few drops of a special preparation to the pet’s scruff or treat it with a spray. Among the sprays, the most popular are Frontline and Cyodrin. It is imperative to ensure that the animal does not lick its fur for a certain period of time.

You should also take care of your furry pet’s immune system. The stronger the immune system, the faster the recovery, and the greater the chance of avoiding re-infection. A cat's diet should contain a large amount of vitamins and be varied. You can add ready-made vitamin complexes to the food. It is also recommended to carry out a course of therapy with drugs that enhance the body’s defenses - Gamavit, Tentravit.

Prevention

The appearance of ticks is a case more typical for “walking” animals. However, even if your pet has never left the walls of the house, this does not guarantee that you will not encounter the disease. The reason may be the use of other people's carriers, bedding or toys.

Preventive measures include:

• regular ear cleaning (Bars Lotion, Otifri, Otodepin are excellent);
• preventing contact with stray animals;
• periodic disinfection of paraphernalia (beds, bowls, etc.);
• strengthening the immune system (it is recommended to include foods high in microelements and vitamins);
• the use of special drugs during the period of parasite activity.

Give your furry friends more attention, which is expressed not only in affection and feeding. Do not forget that they, like any living organism, require care. After all, when the animal receives it at the proper level and is in a calm state, then the owner is happy. Good luck!

Treatment with folk remedies

Treatment with folk remedies is permissible only at the very beginning of the development of the disease. In case of obvious symptoms of ear mites, they are suitable only as auxiliary methods. In addition, folk recipes can be used to prevent odecosis.

One of the most common cat ear care products is green tea. Its strong infusion acts as an antiseptic. After the brew has cooled, soak a cotton pad in it and wipe the external auditory canal. The decoction can be used both to cleanse the ears before instilling drops, and for regular care.

Hydrogen peroxide is used in the same way. It cannot be instilled into the ears; it is only allowed to moisten the crusts and wipe the surface of the cartilage.

Vegetable oils are widely used to clean the ears. Any oil will do: olive, sunflower, vaseline, camphor-based. Oils are not suitable for preventing the disease, but they can soften and remove scabs. After applying the oil, the animal’s ears should be wiped with a clean disk so that the oil film does not interfere with the absorption of the medicine.

Sometimes it is recommended to use garlic pulp or juice to combat ear mites in cats, but its irritant properties in this case will be stronger than its antiseptic properties. In addition, garlic will still not be able to destroy the parasite, so this remedy should be abandoned.

Main rules of treatment

When treating odecosis at home, you need to follow a number of recommendations.

• If there are several animals in the house, all of them need to be treated for ticks, regardless of the presence or absence of the parasite. It is better for kittens and cats to use spray products during pregnancy.
• Be sure to treat your pet's bedding with an antiparasitic agent. If possible, it should be boiled.
• Until the product applied to the withers has dried, it is important to monitor the cat, preventing it from licking itself.
• Since recovery depends on the state of the immune system, it is necessary to provide your pet with a balanced diet and include vitamin complexes in it. Periodically take the animal out into the fresh air.
• Ear mites can also live on furniture, carpets, floor cracks and other objects, so wet cleaning should be done by adding an acaricidal agent to the water.
• Do not use ethyl alcohol-based products to clean your cat's ears.

Why is an integrated approach to treating your pet important?

Compliance with all measures prescribed by a veterinarian is necessary to achieve a speedy recovery, as well as to prevent re-infection. It is extremely important to combine local acaricidal agents with agents applied to the withers in the form of drops, since if all ticks are not destroyed, the disease will return. The use of antibacterial and antifungal drugs is important because the accompanying bacterial or fungal otitis media poses a risk to the cat's health. Desensitizing agents prescribed by a veterinarian effectively stop allergic inflammation that otodectosis causes in some cats and prevent the development of complications associated with it. The recovery of pets with an advanced form of the disease, as well as elderly and weakened cats, can be accelerated by immunomodulators and agents that improve metabolism.

Video: treatment of otodectosis in pets

Are there strong remedies for ear mites?

There is a stronger way to get rid of ear mites than ointments and drops. These are injections. Their distinctive feature is that you can get rid of all parasitic insects at the same time (if they are present). At the same time, the use of this method is fraught with negative consequences - the active substances are toxic to the cat’s body. Their use can provoke allergies, baldness, dermatoses and other complications. The use of such drugs is contraindicated during pregnancy and for kittens.

How to prevent otodecosis

In most cases, tick damage to a cat's ears can be prevented. To do this, you should adhere to the following preventive measures:

• periodically inspect your pet’s ears for scratching, redness, swelling, and scabs;
• regularly clean the external auditory canal;
• do not allow communication with unfamiliar animals;
• strengthen the cat's immune system.

Paying close attention to your pet and promptly seeing a doctor will help avoid health problems.

How contagious

Otodectosis is a contagious disease, as already mentioned. In most cases, even 5 minutes of interaction with an infected animal is enough for your pet to become infected from someone. But a person need not be afraid of ear mites - our body temperature is not suitable for the parasite to reproduce.

The only danger is pseudoscabies (rash) caused by bites from frequent contact. Drops will not help here, so you should simply use gloves when treating infected areas of your cat. We must not forget that a person can suffer otodectosis (through clothes, shoes).