How to Cure Feline Ear Mites

Ear mites spread by close contact from one animal to another.

Feline ear mites are very common as mites live in the ear canal of the cat, feeding on wax and other dirt. Otodectes cynotis is usually the organism to blame. Your cat may shake his head frequently or scratch his ears. The inside of the ear may be dirty with a black brown crust forming, which can eventually block the ear. This is formed by ear wax, ear mite debris and serum secreted by the irritated lining of the ear.

Things You'll Need

• Syringe bulb
• Feline ear medicine

Instructions

1. Clean out the cat's ear. Wash it with a mix of tepid water and washing liquid just enough so that the water is slightly colored. Fill the syringe bulb.

2. Hold the tip of the bulb in the ear and gently squeeze the bulb. Do not completely block the ear with the tip of the bulb, but allow some room for the mixture to bubble out of the ear containing the excess debris. Repeat three or four times. Blocking the ear completely could rupture the ear drum. You may prefer your vet to do this to prevent pushing mites down the canal or damaging the ear drum.

3. Rinse ears with warm clean water and dry.

4. Drop medicine into the cat's ear then massage the ear. Medicine will come in the form of drops and contain an insecticide, like pyrethrin and mineral oil. Buy this over the counter at a pet shop, or get the mix from your vet. Vet's mixes tend to be stronger.

5. Repeat daily for three days.

6. Wait a week, then repeat the entire cycle of washing and giving drops three or four times until the mites are gone. Your vet can confirm this by checking the cat's ear with an otoscope. Repeating the process in cycles helps interrupt the life cycle of the ear mite.

7. Apply an anti-fungal or antibiotic cream if the ear mites have caused fungal infection.

Tips & Warnings

• Ear mites can sometimes live outside the ear so it may be necessary to use the medication outside the ear as well.

• As ear mites can easily pass from pet to pet, all pets in a household must be treated at the same time.

References

• The Petstuff Online Newsletter: Buggy Ears -- Ear Mites
• Animal Pet Doctor: Treating ear Problems in Cats, Dogs and Other Pets