How to diagnose and treat ear MITES in the CAT., by Dan The Veterinarian on YouTube. 1 min 35 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 35 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes at the vet, plus 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Watch your cat for the main signs: frequent scratching at the ears, head shaking, redness, a foul smell, or hair loss around the ears from scratching.
Look inside the ear flap without pushing anything into the canal. Dark debris that looks like coffee grounds is a common sign of mites.
Book a vet visit. A vet checks the ear canals with an otoscope to look for mites directly.
Expect the vet to take an ear swab and examine the debris under a microscope to confirm mites and rule out other causes.
Let the vet clean the ears thoroughly to remove wax, blood and mite waste before treatment starts.
Apply the prescribed treatment exactly as directed, usually a topical product like selamectin or mite-specific ear drops.
Treat every cat, dog and ferret in the household at the same time, because mites spread easily between animals.
Give any extra ear medication your vet prescribes if a bacterial or yeast infection is also present.
Return for the recheck a few weeks later so the vet can confirm the mites are completely gone.
Tips and common mistakes
Never push cotton buds or anything else deep into the ear canal, as this can pack debris in or damage the eardrum.
Skip over-the-counter mite products unless your vet approves them, since they are often less effective and can irritate the ears.
Treat all pets in the house at the same time or the mites will keep coming back.
Ear mites are contagious between animals but do not usually spread to humans.
Questions
Can I catch ear mites from my cat?
It is very unlikely. Ear mites mainly spread between cats, dogs and ferrets, not to people.
How do I know if it is mites or an ear infection?
You cannot tell for sure at home. Both cause scratching and debris, so a vet needs to look in the ear and check a swab under the microscope.
Can I just buy drops online and treat it myself?
Some products work, but many over-the-counter mite treatments are less effective and can irritate the ear. A vet exam also rules out other problems first.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
