Ear mites in cats: photos, causes and symptoms, treatment and prevention of a common and dangerous disease
Otodectosis or ear mite is a common disease of cats and cats. Many mistakenly believe that the disease is harmless. In reality, in the absence of therapy from otodectosis, the animal may die. Therefore, each owner should know which treatment for ear mites in cats is the most effective.
Content
- What does ear mites look like in cats?
- Ear mite: photo
- Ear mite in a cat: can it be seen with the naked eye
- Ear mites in cats: where does it come from
- Ear mites in cats: species and life cycle stages
- Ear mites in a kitten: the habitat of the ear mites in pets
- Signs of ear mites in cats
- Diagnosis of cat otodectosis
- The course of the disease in stages
- Ear mites in cats
- How to cure an ear mite in a cat with folk remedies
- The main rules of treatment
- Technology for the use of medicines
- Hygiene procedures and processing
- Preventive measures
What does ear mites look like in cats?
Often the disease in the early stages goes unnoticed, because the tick in the ears looks like ordinary dirt. But, if you carefully examine the auricle, dark raids with an unpleasant odor will become noticeable. In advanced stages, severe inflammation develops, a dark brown crust forms.
Ear mite: photo
What an ear mite looks like at different stages of the disease can be seen in the photo.
Ear mite in a cat: can it be seen with the naked eye
With the naked eye, you can see only traces of the vital activity of the tick, the parasite itself can only be seen under a microscope - its size is 0,2-0,7 mm.
Ear mites in cats: where does it come from
There are several ways to infect an animal with otodecosis.
Ear mites in cats: species and life cycle stages
Ear mites belong to the class of acarimorph mites. Their life cycle is 4 weeks, the parasites spend it completely on the host. Ticks go through 5 stages of development: egg, larva, protonymph, telenymph and adult.
During her life, one female is able to lay several hundred eggs; during the period of activity, the parasites multiply uncontrollably. After 4 days, a larva emerges from the egg, which, in the presence of nutrition, after 3-10 days passes to the protonymph stage.
Then molting occurs and the individual passes to the teleonymph stage. At this stage, female ticks are already starting to breed. After the next molt, the teleonymph turns into an adult individual - an imago.
Ear mites in a kitten: the habitat of the ear mites in pets
The favorite habitat of the parasite is the visible part of the shell and the ear passages of the animal. The sulfur that accumulates in the ears is food for them and at the same time a favorable habitat. Sometimes the ear mite is found on the head.
Parasites have all-weather activity, however, infections occur more often in summer. This is probably due to the fact that ticks can survive longer in the external environment in summer.
Signs of ear mites in cats
In the early stages of the development of the disease, symptoms are practically absent. Otodectosis begins to manifest itself as follows:
- head shaking, restless behavior;
- active scratching of the ears, up to the appearance of scratching and bruising;
- swelling and redness of the ears;
- the animal often walks with its head down.
With the advanced form of otodectosis, more serious symptoms appear:
- purulent ulcers on the inner ear;
- hair loss or sticking on the ears;
- discharge from the ear canal of a dirty gray or dirty brown color;
- unpleasant smell.
It is worth contacting a veterinarian if the animal shakes its head and often scratches its ears. At this stage, the disease is easily treatable.
Diagnosis of cat otodectosis
Symptoms of otodectosis are similar to those of other diseases: lichen, dermatosis, fungal and bacterial infections. Therefore, for diagnosis, it is necessary to contact a veterinarian.
The course of the disease in stages
Otodectosis is the most common skin disease among cats. The parasite is located on the inside of the auricle and corrodes the inner layers of the epidermis, causing inflammation and itching. The disease proceeds in several stages.
| Skin damage | The skin beetle has a powerful mouth apparatus, with which it gnaws the skin to gain access to blood and lymph. At the same time, the nerve endings are irritated, the cat feels severe itching. |
| Vascular damage | Blood vessels are damaged, swelling and redness occur. There is a discharge from damaged areas of the skin. |
| In the foci, scabs form, suppuration | The number of scabs increases, a plug forms, which leads to hearing loss. Possible secondary infection of the inner and middle ear. |
The consequence of the lack of therapy for the disease is the development of a strong inflammatory process of the inner and middle ear. Outwardly, this is expressed in the unusual behavior of the animal: the cat behaves restlessly, walks with its head turned 90 or 120 degrees.
Ear mites in cats
Currently, there are many drugs on the market that can effectively deal with ear mites in cats.
How to cure an ear mite in a cat with folk remedies
There are also folk remedies for the treatment of otodectosis. In the initial stages of the disease, these methods are effective, in addition, they can be combined with the use of special preparations.
| Mineral oil | Mineral oil will help dissolve the formed crusts on the ear and destroy the tick. The product is used in its pure form, the dosage is selected individually - there should be enough oil so that it covers the middle ear in an even layer. Repeat the procedure daily for 2-3 weeks. |
| White vinegar | Mix white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. The resulting mixture is instilled with a few drops in each ear. After the end of the procedure, wipe the ear with a dry cotton pad. If bleeding wounds are already visible on the skin of the animal, the product cannot be used. |
The main rules of treatment
Otodectosis is treated at all stages, but the duration of therapy will be different. If the disease is not started, it will take 2-3 weeks to recover. In difficult cases, when a secondary infection joins, treatment may take several months.
By following certain rules, you can cure your pet faster and avoid complications.
Ear mites in a cat: treatment in the clinic
Most often, with otodectosis, the placement of the animal in a hospital is not required. The exception is the case when the infection spreads deep into the ear, there is a risk of developing cerebral edema. In such cases, the cat will need systematic maintenance therapy, injections, intravenous infusions. If the pet shows anxiety, walks with a bowed head, a large number of scabs have accumulated in the ears, it is necessary to show it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Ear mite in a cat: how to treat at home
If the disease is just beginning to develop, you can use folk recipes, and many drugs can be used at home after consulting a doctor. The main rules for the treatment of otodectosis in cats at home are:
- It is necessary to treat all animals in the house with ear mites, regardless of whether they show signs of infection.
- All housing is subject to careful processing, in particular, things of an animal. It is better to get rid of old bedding and beds, in extreme cases, you can do with boiling.
- It is necessary to maintain cleanliness in the house, wet cleaning with special products must be done daily, as parasites settle in cracks, cracks, and so on.
- It is important to maintain the cat's immunity, take care of the quality of its nutrition, consult a veterinarian about the need for vitamin supplements.
Treatment of a kitten and a pregnant cat
The disease in kittens is especially difficult, treatment is usually long and laborious. Most ear mites are toxic and should only be used with the advice of a veterinarian.
Most often, gentle sprays are used to treat kittens. This also applies to pregnant cats: drugs for their treatment are selected individually, self-medication is not acceptable.
Technology for the use of medicines
The effectiveness of the use of drugs depends on compliance with the technology of their use, as well as the correct choice of dosage.
Aerosols should be sprayed on the affected areas of the ears until the foci of inflammation are completely covered. The spray should be held a few centimeters from the ear so that when spraying the drug does not get into the cat's eyes. It is necessary to act quickly so that the animal does not have time to resist.
Before using the ointment or gel, you must first clean the ear from scabs and crusts. Apply the product in a thin layer to the affected areas with a cotton swab. Many animals do not like mechanical impact, so it is advisable to wrap the cat in a towel and blanket for the procedure.
Before instillation, it is necessary to clean the skin of the ear with a soft cloth. It is important to strictly observe the dosage, since most of the drugs in this group are toxic. It is necessary to bury in both ears, even if only one is infected. For the best effect after the procedure, it is recommended to carry out a light massage of the ears.
Hygiene procedures and processing
The behavior of hygiene procedures is the main condition for the effective treatment of ear mites.
Ear cleaning tips at home
Before carrying out medical procedures, it is imperative to clean the cat's ears, even if nothing is said about this in the instructions for the drug.
For cleaning at home, you will need the following tools:
- cotton wool or cotton pads;
- ear sticks (it is advisable not to use homemade ones, as this can lead to injury to an already inflamed ear);
- disinfectants (chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, boric acid solution).
Instructions and procedure:
- Sit the cat on your lap, if the animal is aggressive or alarmed, you can wrap it in a sheet or towel.
- Gently bending the auricle, wipe the surface from dirt with a cotton swab.
- Moisten the ear stick in a disinfectant solution and gently clean the affected area with it, it is important to act gently, without pressure, as this can be painful for the animal.
- Allow the cat to shake its head, and then treat the outer surface of the ear and the hair near it with the solution.
Most often, the duration of treatment is 1-2 weeks. In advanced cases, therapy can be delayed for up to 6 months.
Preventive measures
The appearance of ear mites is more susceptible to animals walking freely on the street. However, fully domestic cats are at risk of being infected. This can happen through personal items, or the owner may accidentally bring the parasite from the street.
The main preventive measures of otodectosis are:
- regular cleaning of the ears with special lotions;
- use of individual care items for each pet;
- avoiding contact with stray animals;
- providing the cat with good nutrition;
- regular disinfection of bedding, beds and other personal belongings of the cat.