How do ear mites infect Cats and dogs?
Ear mites are small critters that often bother cats and dogs. These tiny insects are so small that you can see them without a microscope. They hang in the ear canal, oiling the earwax and skin. An adult mite lives for about two months and can multiply really fast. They hatch in just four days and mature in three weeks.
How do ear mites infect humans?
Human ear mites usually occur when they are contracted from a family pet. These mites need a host to survive, so they can easily jump from one animal to another and even to humans.
Close contact with an infected pet, such as sharing a bed or allowing them on furniture, increases the chance of infection. If your pet has ear mites, the mites can spread to your bedding and furniture, and then to you.
It’s important to remember that you don’t need your pet to get ear mites. You can also get them from close contact with someone else’s pet or by being around furniture infested with ear mites.
Symptoms of ear mites in humans
When ear mites infect a cat or dog’s ear canal, a common symptom is frequent scratching of the pet’s head. You may see a dark discharge from their ears that looks like coffee grounds.
Early detection of ear mite infections in pets is important to control infection and prevent spread to other pets and people in the household.
Ear mite infections are also uncomfortable for humans and can spread from animals to humans. Symptoms in humans may include:
- Itching
- Redness around the ear
- Dark colored earwax
- Ear irritation
Symptoms can vary, and some people may experience tinnitus, ringing in the ears, buzzing or humming, or fullness or pressure in the ears. Without treatment, ear mites can damage the ear canal and cause hearing loss.
Cats and Dogs ear mite symptoms and detection
Finding ear mites in your cat is relatively easy if you know what to look for.
Symptoms include:
• Shaking of the head
• Scratching in the ears
• Drooping ears
• Dark brown material on ears
• Inflammation
• Pooja
These symptoms can vary in severity, with some pets experiencing severe itching and inflammation. In severe cases, ear mites can even rupture the eardrum.
Your veterinarian can diagnose ear mites through a physical examination of your pet’s ears. They may take a skin scraping or ear swab to confirm the presence of mites or their eggs. In some cases, treatment may be recommended even if mites are not found based on clinical symptoms and suspicion.
Causes of ear mites
Ear mites are highly contagious and are usually spread from one animal to another. Your Pet can pick up mites from other infected pets, contaminated surfaces such as bedding or grooming equipment, or environments such as animal shelters or boarding facilities.
Effective techniques for treating ear mites in Cats and dogs
Treatment options include spot-on treatment or ear drops. Spot-on treatments are easy to use and can prevent future mite problems.
Products that help keeps ears clean:
• PetArmor ear wash for Cats and dogs.
• Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes.
• Nutri-Vet Ear Cleaner for Cats and Dogs.
• Use this product to further prevent this infection.
Products to remove ear mites:
• Selamectin
• Moxidectin
• Fluorlaner
• Sarlanar
Ear mites can easily spread to pets in your household, so if one pet has it, it’s likely that others will too. Even if they don’t show symptoms, they should all be treated.
Fortunately, ear mites in cats and dogs are treatable. Your vet can prescribe systemic or topical medications to eradicate mites. Additionally, cleaning your pet’s ears with an appropriate solution can help remove debris and soothe irritation. In severe cases, secondary infections may require additional treatment.
Recovery and Management
Managing your pets’s recovery is crucial to successful treatment. It is essential to complete the full course of prescribed medication to prevent recurrence of the disease, even if symptoms improve before then. Treating all pets in the household, even if they are not showing symptoms, can help prevent the spread of mites.
