It can feel like a slightly daunting task to tackle your cat s ear mite infestation but it is something that you need to do as mites reproduce very quickly and the problem can get worse if it left untreated for an extended period of time.
Cat ear mites treatment.
Wikimedia commons uwe gille symptoms of ear mites in cats.
Bear in mind that there are many different types of mite out there.
Your veterinarian will probably diagnose an ear mite infection by checking a sample of your cat s ear wax under a microscope.
Many spot on flea products are suitable for the prevention and treatment of ear mites and this may be recommended by your vet.
Ear mite treatment for cats.
A cat that has suffered from ear mites for a long time can develop inflammatory polyps i e.
Ear mites can thrive inside your cat s ear munching on ear wax and skin oils.
Causes of ear mites in cats.
You can use an ear cleaning solution available at pet supply stores or try almond or olive oil but clear the latter with your vet first put several drops of the solution or oil into the ear canal and massage gently.
Ear mite debris in a cat ear.
Cats are known to be susceptible to ear mites especially if they have access to the outdoors.
If your cat or kitten has suddenly started that tell tale scratching caused by the little parasites you should seek treatment right away.
Ear mites cause irritation and so the cat is likely to scratch repeatedly at the ear with a back paw and or to frequently shake its head.
Treating cat ear mites.
The cat s claws may break the skin surface leading to additional soreness bleeding and in some cases bacterial infections.
They may clean the cat s ears to remove build up of wax particularly if your cat is already sedated.
The vet will advise what treatment is most appropriate for your cat.
Treating your cat s case of ear mites is a three step process.
It s easy for a cat to become infested with ear mites if they have come into contact with another infested pet played with contaminated toys or have poor ear hygiene.
The most common signs of ear mites among cats include.
It s not difficult to recognize ear mites based on your pet s behavior and appearance.
Watch for scratching or shaking.
Ear mites in cats make up more than half of all cat ear infections.
The mites themselves however are generally too small to see with the naked eye.
The first step is to get as many tiny critters out of the ear canal as possible by cleaning the ear.