Ear Mites in Cats — Symptoms and Treatment

Ear mites in cats are a fairly common occurrence in the United States. They can be very unpleasant for your cat, and in more severe cases, dangerous.

If left untreated, they can lead to secondary yeast and bacterial infections. Some cats seem to develop immunity to mites over time, so younger cats are more likely to to be afflicted. Cats with compromised immune systems are likewise at higher risk.

What are they? — Mites are the most common cause of outer-ear inflammation in cats. They are tiny crab-like parasites that typically live in and around a cat’s ears, and also on the head. In more extreme cases, they can cause a rupture of the ear drum, and may lead to deafness and even seizures.

Younger cats are typically more bothered by mites than older cats, which may be due to the immunity that can develop over time.

Symptoms — Frequent scratching of the ears and shaking of the head are the most common symptoms. The most obvious sign of ear mites in cats is a build up of black wax that looks like coffee grounds.

Secondary bacterial infection is not uncommon with mites, and some cats may experience hair loss around the ears as well. The waxy build up may cause additional irritation in the ear.

In more severe cases, excessive scratching may cause ulceration at the back of the ear. This may lead to permanent disfigurement.

Treatment — Treatment of ear mites in cats should be done by a veterinarian in order to avoid possible damage to the ear. Treatment begins with cleaning out the cat’s ears.

The wax may be softened with mineral oil prior to flushing out the ears. This breaks up the wax and removes a large number of mites.

After the ears are cleaned, an ear mite treatment can be administered. Flea control medication is often used to prevent a recurrence of infestation by any mites that have migrated to some place other than the ear. Over-the-counter remedies will typically take longer to work than the ear mite treatment preparations from your veterinarian.

Ear mites in cats can also be spread to other animals in the house, including people. Physical contact with affected cats, therefore, should be limited. This is a very treatable condition, although treatment may take quite some time in more severe cases, and your veterinarian may administer “off-label” drugs.