The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn more »
Ear mites are an icky problem that is common in stray cats and kittens but also can occur in outdoor cats that are exposed to the mites. Ear mites are tiny mites that live on the surface of the skin. They are most commonly found in the ear canal, but they can also infect the skin around the ear, as well. While it is rare for them to be transferred to humans, ear mites are extremely contagious between pets.
If your cat has ear mites, you are unlikely to actually see the mites due to their tiny size, but they are sometimes slightly visible if you see a mite moving against a dark-colored background, like ear wax. The most likely way you’ll notice if your cat has ear mites is by the development of dark discharge from the ears or excessive itching.
What Are Ear Mites?
Ear mites are very contagious mites. They are routinely seen in cats, dogs, ferrets, and rabbits, especially those that live outdoors. The good news, though, is that it is exceptionally rare for ear mites to be transmitted from pets to humans.
We are simply not the ideal hosts for these parasites. They live for approximately 2 months, actively reproducing for about 5 weeks of that. They go through five life cycles, starting from an egg and ending as an adult.
Since ear mites have very short lives, it might seem like an infestation wouldn’t be likely to occur, but due to their high rate of reproduction, just a few mites can turn into a full-blown infestation in just a month or two. Like most parasites, ear mites require a host to survive for their whole lifecycle. Without a host, they can only survive for a brief period.
Ear mites feed off of epithelial cells, tissue fluids, and exudate that are most commonly found in the ears. They can be found in other areas of the body, but this is much less common.
What Are the Signs of Ear Mites?
While black or brown discharge is a common sign1 of ear mites in cats, there are multiple signs to watch for. Head shaking and scratching at the ears are also common. Excessive scratching at the ears can lead to hair loss on and around the ears. You may also notice redness or a rash-like appearance to the skin in and around the ears.
On the off chance that you catch ear mites from your cat, there are some things you’ll need to watch for. Itchiness in the ears, redness in and around the ears, dark earwax, and generalized ear irritation are the most likely signs.
For you to catch ear mites from your cat, you’ll have to come into very close contact with places where your cat has shed the mites. This means that if your cat has been scratching their ears on your pillow and then you go to sleep on the pillow, you could catch ear mites. Even with close contact, though, it’s still uncommon for humans to catch ear mites.
How Are Ear Mites Treated?
Your cat’s vet may prescribe one of multiple options to treat your cat’s ear mites. Some vets may opt for topical ear treatment, while others will provide a topical treatment applied to the back of the neck for the mites.
It’s important that you don’t attempt to treat your cat’s ear mites on your own, though. Ear mites are diagnosed through a microscopic examination1 of the discharge from your cat’s ears. Ear mites shouldn’t be treated based solely on symptoms since the symptoms of ear mites can also indicate other problems.
In humans, ear mites are typically treated through multiple steps. Your doctor will likely want to provide a thorough flushing of your ears to remove any wax buildup. Afterward, your doctor will likely prescribe medicated ear drops to treat any remaining mites and infections, as well as to reduce irritation to the ears.
Conclusion
Ear mites spreading to people is very uncommon, but it is possible. Ear mites are much more likely to spread between the pets in your home than they are to infect you or any humans in your household. However, if you have a pet in the home that you suspect might have ear mites, it’s best to keep them confined to one area of the home to prevent the spread of the mites to anyone in the household.
Make sure to take your cat to the vet if you suspect they may have ear mites so they can rule out other problems and get your cat appropriate treatment.
Ear mites are very contagious mites. They are routinely seen in cats, dogs, ferrets, and rabbits, especially those that live outdoors. The good news, though, is that it is exceptionally rare for ear mites to be transmitted from pets to humans. We are simply not the ideal hosts for these parasites.
Treatment consists of relieving the patients of their itching and pain, by killing the infesting mites. Suggested methods include washing the ear canal with warm saline, instilling mineral oil, lignocaine or 70% ethanol [1,4,6]. Scabicidal substances like crotamiton [1] can also be used.
Outdoor cats are more prone to catch them from other cats while wrestling around or snuggling (basically any social interaction with an infected cat), but indoor cats can also catch them from the toys or bedding of other infected cats.
Lewis says that mites can last around a week in your home without needing to feed off your cat. This means that, yes, ear mites can live on bedding. So, clean areas your cat frequents, such as their bed or your couch.
If your pet has ear mites, these mites can travel to your bedding and furniture and then attach themselves to you — a human host. Keep in mind you don't have to have an animal of your own to get ear mites. You can develop an infection if you come in close contact with anyone's pet who has ear mites.
Symptoms like ear itchiness, redness, and discomfort may prompt a visit to a physician. Upon physical exam with the use of an otoscope, ear mites may be visible. Appearing tiny and white in color, these mites can be treated with the use of multiple medications, frequent linen washing, and thorough drying of damp items.
Vacuum your carpets thoroughly – this is not the time to skip the corners! – then follow with a flea powder, which will eliminate mites at all stages of their lifecycle. Repeat in two weeks. Also, regularly wash and dry pet bedding on the hottest setting.
Flush with a commercial ear cleaning solution, available from your veterinarian or a veterinary supply store, or a homemade mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Use a syringe or provided applicator to flush out the oil, mites, crust, and debris. Allow the mixture to drain out of the ear.
Unfortunately you will always need to treat ear mites in your cat because they will not go away on their own. If treating ear mites in cats is delayed for too long you run the risk of chronic ear infections.
What causes cat ear mites? Ear mites are tiny, spider-like creatures that are normally contracted from the outdoor environment that your feline friend comes into contact with. This can include wooded or grassy areas, or animal shelters or veterinary offices with poor hygiene.
Contact with infested items: Ear mites can survive for a short period off the host. If an infected cat has been in contact with items like bedding, toys, or furniture, the mites can transfer to these objects. Another cat that comes into contact with these infested items could then pick up the mites.
Results: Washing clothing and bedding in water alone, detergent, or detergent plus bleach removed 60% to 83% of the live mites. Washing removed more mites from some items than from others.
There are different types of ear mite medication, including over the counter treatments such as NexGard® for Dogs products (available from a variety of physical and online stores), or medicated ear drops which may be prescribed by your vet.
Ear mites are extremely contagious, he notes, moving from one cat to another on close contact and eventually making their way to the ear. Infestation is most common among outdoor cats, whether they're brawling or cuddling up affectionately.
Ear mites do not typically spread from cat to human. However, in rare instances, people living in a house with a cat who has ear mites can develop a rash if the mites jump onto their skin and bite it.
An infection by the mange mite Sarcoptes scabiei, scabies is another zoonotic external parasite of the skin of cats. While not as common as flea infestations, these mites can be passed from infected cats to people, where they burrow into the skin and cause itchy, raised lesions.
Ear mites are passed from one animal to another through close contact. Humans rarely also can get a skin rash from the parasite, and, on rare occasions, can get the mites in their own ears. Good hygiene usually will prevent mites from affecting people.
Address: 5789 Michel Vista, West Domenic, OR 80464-9452
Phone: +97313824072371
Job: Education Orchestrator
Hobby: Lockpicking, Crocheting, Baton twirling, Video gaming, Jogging, Whittling, Model building
Introduction: My name is Rob Wisoky, I am a smiling, helpful, encouraging, zealous, energetic, faithful, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
Conclusion