FELINE FLEAS AND MITES:
FROM: THE SACRAMENTO CAT HOSPITAL
Feline Ear Mites
We’re probably all familiar with pet parasites such as fleas, ticks, and worms, but there’s another common pest that can live in your kitty’s ear. Ear mites are tiny, crab-like parasites that live in both the outer ear and the ear canal. There are several types of ear mites. The most common is Otodectes cynotis, which is found in approximately 90 percent of all feline ear mite infestations.
An ear mite has a roughly 21-day life cycle. Although barely visible to the naked eye, mites can cause extreme irritation and inflammation in both the external and internal ear canal. If left untreated, ear mite infestations can lead to more serious skin or ear infections. Due to intense scratching and head shaking, ear mites can cause blood vessels inside your kitty’s ear to rupture; ear canals and ear drums can also be injured. These conditions may require corrective surgery.
Ear mites are highly contagious, and are passed from pet to pet in casual contact or via shared bedding. Though ear mites can infect both cats and dogs, along with other pets such as rabbits or hamsters, they are much more common in cats. Some estimates indicate that ear mites are responsible for more than half of all feline ear infections.
There are a number of signs to look for which may indicate an ear mite infestation:
Constant scratching or rubbing of ears
Excessive head shaking, dizziness, loss of balance
Flattened ears; scratches or scabs near the ear; hair loss
A lopsided appearance with a tilted head
Black or brown waxy secretion in or around the ears
Fresh or dried blood inside the ear canal, which may resemble coffee grounds
A strong, unpleasant odor
Since these pests are extremely tiny and not always visible to the naked eye, how are they diagnosed? If your kitty is displaying any of the symptoms above, it’s important to bring him or her in for an exam. Your veterinarian will take a swab sample of your kitty’s ear discharge and evaluate it under a microscope. If ear mites are seen, your veterinarian will prescribe a medication that’s applied directly inside the ear. Antibiotics may also be prescribed if infection is noted. Your veterinarian may also do a thorough, gentle ear cleaning to remove any build-up of ear debris.
If ear mites are diagnosed, all pets in your household should also be treated; your veterinarian will discuss this with you. All bedding should be washed in hot water with a pet-safe, perfume-free detergent to help prevent reinfestation.
The most effective treatment for ear mites is prevention! A monthly dose of a topical anti-parasite medication such as Advantage Multi or Revolution will help keep ear mites and other pests away. Please see our special offer below for our readers!
Feline Flea Control
The rains will soon be behind us and the summer sun will be blazing. Along with the heat always come plenty of fleas, which thrive in hot, humid temperatures.
In addition to giving painful, itchy bites to both furry and non-furry family members, fleas are carriers of a number of diseases that can affect your kitty — or you. This includes heartworms, tapeworms, Feline Infectious Anemia, and bartonella (also called Cat Scratch Disease). Some kitties suffer a severe allergic reaction to flea bites, causing them to scratch themselves raw in bitten areas.
Fortunately, there are a number of easy-to-administer monthly feline topical medications that our veterinarians can provide which will help prevent flea infestations. During your next visit to the Sacramento Cat Hospital, please ask us for more information.