Cat Ear Infection Or Mites

Otodectes cynotis mites most commonly called ear mites are a common and relatively mild external parasite infection complications may arise when an animal has an immune hypersensitivity reaction that results in intense irritation of the external ear.

Cat ear infection or mites.

To appropriately treat an ear infection a veterinarian first has to microscopically examine a sample taken from the ears to determine whether yeast or bacteria and. Symptoms of ear mite infestation. Ear mites can also cause an ear infection as well so treatment shouldn t focus solely on getting rid of the mites the ear infection should be treated too. In fact ear mites will be one of the first things your veterinarian checks for if your cat has an ear infection.

Treatment for ear mites generally includes a good ear cleaning and topical prescription medication. The symptoms of ear mite infestation range from the relatively mild to the comparatively more severe. The infectious agent is most commonly bacterial although fungus otherwise known as yeast can also be implicated in an inner ear infection. Ear mites are responsible for a majority of the ear infections seen in cats.

An ear infection is any bacterial viral fungal or parasitic organism that affects the body. Their presence causes inflammation and can also lead to secondary ear infections. Ear mites primarily live in the ear canal where they feed on skin debris. Cats tend to scratch their ears a lot anyway but if you notice that yours is doing so more than usual this could be the first sign that there is some cause for concern.

The term ear infection is most commonly used to refer to a bacterial yeast overgrowth in the ear canal. Cats that are afflicted with ear mites will typically scratch at the ears excessively and shake their heads. Otodectes cynotis mites in cats. Ear mites can thrive inside your cat s ear munching on ear wax and skin oils.

Ear infections in cats. Ear mites cause a characteristic dark brown to black colored discharge in the ears that looks a bit like coffee grounds. Ear infections often cause a cat s ears to become more red and swollen than do mite infestations and the discharge from an infected ear tends to have a distinctly foul odor. If your cat has ear mites in the external ear canal this can ultimately cause a problem in the inner ear and pose a greater risk for a bacterial infection.

Eggs are laid in the ear and it takes about three weeks for eggs to hatch and develop into adult mites that can reproduce. Your veterinarian will probably diagnose an ear mite infection by checking a sample of your cat s ear wax under a microscope. If left unchecked and untreated ear mites can lead to serious issues including deafness coordination or balance issues and permanent ear scarring. If your vet has ruled out ear mites the culprit in about half of all feline ear infections they ll have to do some sleuthing to figure out what s causing your cat s outer or middle ear infection.

Cats don t often get ear infections but when they do the cause can be complex.