subject: Important Things To Know About Ear Mites In Cats [print this page] Cats, like humans suffer various ailments or health issues and one of the most common threat to their health are parasites, particularly ear mites. Ear mites are tiny insect-like creatures that infect the ears of both dogs and cats, with cats being the most common hosts. They appear similar to spiders except that reside in the ear canals and or other parts of the animal's body. The thing with these parasites is that they feed on the blood of the cat or dog.
Because of this, the animal will feel irritated, causing them to continuously scratch their ears, eventually wounding themselves in the process. So when you start seeing your cat frequently scratching their ears and or shaking their heads as if irritated by something, you can bet that your feline is infected by these parasites. The cat's ears will eventually appear to be folded or flattened and touching it can cause excruciating pain. Another sign is that a foul odor can be smelled from within the ear.
Examining the internal part of the ear reveals dark debris or sometimes reddish brown colors throughout the ear canal. Further observation reveals small dots in between these debris. This would be the ear mites. Veterinarians use otoscope to locate the position of these parasites since they are too small to see clearly. Ear mites can cause serious health problems if not attended to immediately and can potentially lead to deafness and deformity of the cat's ears. Bacterial or yeast infections are also common so it is always recommended to get medical advice from a veterinarian.
Veterinarians usually advise the purchase of ear mite treatment ointment from the neighborhood pet supply. This appears to be an oily liquid which serves as an insecticide that can be used to clean the cat's ear canal. Once started, all ear residue or debris should be cleaned off the cat. Carefully following the veterinarian's advice is paramount at this stage since you have to make sure that no parasite is left surviving or else, everything will be in vain.
Another option is purchasing "Revolution". It is a parasiticide that is applied on the skin of cats who are six weeks of age or even older. The drawback however is that it is a bit expensive compared to the usual medication. Antibiotics may also be advised by the veterinarian depending on the gravity of the infection. If your cat shows any signs of ear mites then it is important to take her to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
