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Cat Ear Mites and Other Ear problems.
Cat ear mites are one of the most common cat illnesses. They can be
a constant problem for both you and your cat as they are contagious
and can be passed to not only other cats but also to other animals living
in the same environment.
Cats rely on their hearing a great deal, it plays a vital
role in their survival in the wild and while they are hunting. Their
ears are designed in such a way as to pick up sounds easily. Their ears
also are important for climbing and keeping their balance. So any form
of ear problems could cause them all sorts of difficulties. Well you
don’t want them to fall of the fence now do you?
Cat ear mites, what are they and what
causes them?
Cat ear mites are small spider like insects. They can harm cat health
by causing infection and even damage the eardrum, causing deafness. If
viewed with the naked eye they look like small white dots against the
dark earwax. The most common type of ear mite the otodectes cynotis lives
on or just underneath the surface of the skin. They live for about 2 months
and during that time they lay their eggs in the cats fur and ear canal.
These eggs hatch after 4 days and the larvae emerge, which later become
nymphs, which in turn become adult ear mites. Sounds horrible to me, who
would like those living on you?
The normal way your pet would get cat ear mites is from
another cat. This might just be by sharing the same sleeping area, or
just playing together. The mites can live for a time in the general
environment of an infected animal as well. This means that your cat
might just pass through an area frequented by a sick cat with the ear
mites. So as you can see picking them up is quite easy.
How do I know if my cat has ear mites?
The symptoms of cat ear mites can vary from cat to cat. Some animals may
be more sensitive to the mites and so show a more severe reaction to them.
However the most common symptoms are:
- Scratching and itching around the ear.
- Wax dark in colour and has a strong odour.
- Head shaking.
If you suspect that your cat does have ear mites but
you cannot see them, it is best to take them to the vets who will use
a special equipment to view the tiny critters. It is best to make sure
that the symptoms are caused by mites and not another illness as the
wrong diagnosis and treatment will make the situation worse.
 Treatment
Once diagnosed cat ear mites must be killed quickly before they cause
infection and further harm to cat health. The vet will thoroughly and
gently clean the ear of any discharge and earwax. This will remove some
of the mites who are living amongst it and also allow the medication to
reach all parts of the ear.
Eardrops will be recommended by your vet and will probably
be required to be given to your sick cat for a period of three weeks.
Also treat the cats fur with a flea powder to kill off any eggs which
might be stuck to the fur. If you have other pets it might be a good
idea to get them checked as well. Thoroughly clean and wash any areas
your cat usually sits or sleeps and a good vacuuming of all carpets
might be good precaution.
Other cat ear problems
Because cats ears are so prominent they can be easily damaged in fights,
often leading to torn of bitten ear flaps. If left untreated, infection
could set in. So clean any minor cuts and scratches and seek medical advice
for deep cuts.
Other ear problems are:
- Sunburn, especially for cats with white tipped ears. Signs
are reddening and swelling of the ear tips. See our other page on
sunburn
and summer care for further information.
- Fungal and bacterial infections. Possibly caused by grass
seed or foreign body trapped in the ear. Symptoms are: head shaking
and tilting as if trying to get something out of the ear.
- Tumour or Polyp in inner ear. Symptoms are: Head shaking
and scratching with an audible fluid sound.
- Inner ear disease. Symptoms are: Loss of balance, head tilting,
walking in circles and eye flickering.
With any of the above, seek medical attention as soon
as you notice the symptoms. 
Deafness
Some cats are born deaf, most commonly white cats with blue eyes. Some
cats with different coloured eyes, say one blue the other brown may suffer
from deafness on one side only.
Cats who are completely deaf can be difficult to train
and for their own safety should be kept indoors. They won’t be alerted
to dangers such as traffic noises and other cats. Similarly, if you
notice your elderly cat suddenly deciding that it’s ok to sit in the
road, it may have become too deaf to hear traffic. It may be time to
keep them inside as well.
If you do have to keep a cat in doors for it’s own safety,
remember to make sure that they have plenty of stimulus and company.
This will ensure that they continue to have a happy life.
In conclusion, check your pet often for cat ear mites
and other ear problems or cat illnesses and seek prompt attention. We
have to check quite often as our cat has only one ear and she seems
to always be getting things in it. Trouble is her middle name i think.
Top
of cat ear mites page
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A homeopathic remedy to relieve symptoms of ear mites,
minor ear infection, redness, swelling, and pain.
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Newton
Homeopathics Ear Relief
