Ear Mites In Cats

They also like to live in warm dark environment of the ear canal where they then feed on the skin debris.

Ear mites in cats. The most common ear mite of cats is otodectes cynotis and therefore an infestation with ear mites is sometimes called otodectic mange 1 ear mites primarily live in the ear canal where they feed on skin debris. An ear mite infection will cause your cat s ears to itch which often results in them shaking their head excessively or scratching at their ears with their paws. Their presence causes inflammation and can also lead to secondary ear infections. Cats that are afflicted with ear mites will typically scratch at the ears excessively and shake their heads even pulling out their own hair and drawing blood as they scratch.

These particular mites then create irritation and itchiness which leads to the cat scratching its ears. Ear mites are a common infestation and are easily spread between cats and other animals. Although ear mites don t seem dangerous their presence can be extremely harmful to your cat. The most frequent ear mite infestation in cats is otodectes cynotis.

What are the symptoms of ear mites in cats. These parasites feed on the debris inside of the ear. Some cats will shake their heads so much that an hematoma of the ear will form with blood pooling in the ear due to breakage of a blood vessel. Ear mite infestations usually itch so cats with ear mites will scratch excessively at the backs or insides of their ears sometimes to the point of producing raw patches shake their heads or hold their ears at an odd angle.

Ear mites are microscopic parasites which infect the ears of a cat. Ear mites think other species are tasty too and they are very contagious. Several ear mite medicines and websites also refer to it as otodectic mange. Though there are several different types of ear mites that can affect cats the most common one is otodectes cynotis which essentially resembles an eight legged crab.

Ear mites can also produce wax and irritation so your pet s ears may well look red and inflamed. Ear mites in cats are not just found in the ears. Ear mites will lay eggs in the ear canal which have a gestation period of roughly two to three weeks. They are most common in kittens younger cats strays and outdoor cats though any cat can catch ear mites.

Of course you will not be able to see them properly with the naked eye but you should be able to see them under a microscope. Cats can catch ear mites from being outdoors or from interacting with other cats. They like to live in the warm dark environment of the ear canal where they feed on skin debris. Mites on cats can travel all over the cat s body.