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Name
Ear Mites, Feline
Short Description
Otodectes cynotis
AffectedAnimals: All animals, including humans, can get mites.
Overview:
Highly contagious, ear mites are a common cause
of many ear problems in cats and, less commonly, in dogs. Ear mites
are found in cats of all ages, but kittens tend to be infected more
commonly. These mites can cause intense itching. Severe trauma to
the infected area may result when cats scratch the irritated skin.
Often, but not always, a dark, granular substance will be present in
the ear canal of a cat with ear mites, and signs of irritation and
itchiness will be evident. Diagnosis can be achieved through visual
identification of the mites under a microscope from debris or skin
scrapings. The prognosis for ear mites is excellent with proper
treatment, which generally involves topical application of a
miticide to the affected areas.
Clinical Signs: Clinical signs of ear mites develop as the mites
feed in the ear canal. The feeding causes irritation and the canals
will fill with cerumen, mite debris, and blood. The ear canals
typically have a dark, coffee ground-like substance in them. Cats
may have pruritus of the ears, but not always. The mites also can
crawl to other parts of the body and can cause itching there
Symptoms:
See clinical signs.
Description: Otodectes cynotis is a type of mite that lives on
the surface of the skin, rather than tunneling into it. The mite is
able to reproduce in the ears and live approximately two months.
They cause an intense hypersensitive reaction that leads to severe
itching in many animals. Some animals cause a significant amount of
trauma to their ears by constant scratching. Ear mites are very
contagious. In addition, they can migrate to other parts of the body
and cause itching.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis commonly is made by using a
cotton-tipped applicator to take a sample of the debris in the ear
canals. The material then is viewed in mineral oil under a
microscope to determine if mites are present. Other ways of
diagnosing ear mites include looking into the ears with an otoscope
to identify mites visually. The light from the otoscope warms up the
mites so that they can be seen crawling around. Skin scrapings,
performed by using a dull blade gently to scrape the skin, sometimes
are helpful to determine the presence of mites on other parts of the
body. The material then is evaluated under the microscope.
Prognosis: With proper treatment, ear mites can be cured.
However, all animals that have been exposed to the infected cat must
be treated as well, since mites are highly contagious.
Transmission or Cause: Ear mites are passed from one animal to another
through close contact. Mites also can be transmitted through the
environment to an animal. Humans also can get a skin rash from the
parasite, and, on rare occasions, can get the mites in their own
ears. Good hygiene usually will prevent mites from affecting people.
Treatment:
Treatment starts with a very thorough cleaning of
the ears to get all the debris and wax out of the canals. If the
ears are not properly cleaned, mites can survive the treatment
because the wax and debris protects them. There are several
medications available for the treatment of ear mites. Some contain
miticide only; others will have antibiotics and/or a medication to
help break down wax and debris.
A typical treatment involves applying a topical medication directly
into the ears for several weeks; each animal may not respond to
certain medications, so treatments may vary. The use of flea sprays,
powders, or topical preparations will be necessary to help prevent
mites from re-infecting the ears. Consult with a veterinarian about
the various medications that are available.
An alternative treatment involves using an injectable or oral
medication called ivermectin. Although ivermectin is a highly
effective and common treatment, this use is considered extra-label,
and should NOT be used in certain breed of dogs, such as collies,
Shetland sheepdogs, Old English sheepdogs, and any herding dogs or
their crosses. Side effects in these breeds can lead to death.
Ivermectin usually is very safe for cats, however, and can be
especially useful in animals that are difficult to treat or that are
outdoors and hard to catch daily.
Prevention:
Effective prevention requires proper medical
treatment of all animals that have mites, or that have been in
contact with animals carrying mites. The use of an effective flea
control product that stays on the animal for several days helps to
control the spread of mites to other parts of the body. Disinfecting
the environment with appropriate insecticides also is very helpful.
Consult a veterinarian about the use of safe insecticides in the
animal's environment.
It is particularly difficult to control the spread of mites in
catteries and kennels because so many animals are housed together
closely.
