Everything About Pet Ear Mites

Wendell Ruben | February 6th, 2010

Ear mites might affect many pets, and are a common problem that can be very distressing for the animal concerned. Furthermore, if left unhindered ear mites can lead to more distressing and serious illnesses and an unhappy feeling for a cat or dog. For this reason it is vital that the pet owner knows what ear mites are, how to kill them, and what to look for to spot them.

What are Ear Mites? Ear mites are miniature insects that feast on the blood and nutrients found in an animal\’s skin; they appear as, when magnified, crabs and have legs that latch on to the host with some strength. Very difficult to remove, the mite is a supremely distasteful creature that can bring discomfort to a much-loved family pet.

They live on the outside edges of the ear canal and dine on the debris that is left there, and are notably contagious, migrating from animal to animal very rapidly indeed. In fact, ear mites might also be spread to human sufferers, but are more likely to be seen on domestic pets and farm animals. It needs to be remembered they can spread between species – a cat may pass to a dog, or vice versa – and that many animals react in many ways to the presence of mites. Ear mites are a very prevalent cause of discomfort in cats and dogs, notably young kittens and puppies, and can cause the animal to hurt constantly.

This can cause changes later, as furious scratching – particularly in cats – may bring about blood vessels to break, bringing about unwanted infection and a more dangerous level of suffering as well as the possibility of horrible disfigurement. In addition, if left alone the mites can lead to bacterial afflictions and more, and this has been shown to lead to a rupturing of the eardrum – a painful problem that leads to deafness in the animal. How to Spot Ear Mites There are numerous pointers that give clues to the presence of ear mites in cats and dogs.

The first is the often-seen increase in scratching of the facial area that accompanies the onset of mites, and this can also be indicated by an exaggerated and violent shaking of the head, as if trying to dislodge something that is clinging on (which is, of course, exactly what the animal is trying to do.) The ear produces wax as a matter of course, and the presence of mites might cause this to be done.

Learn more about Ear Mites in Dogs, and be sure to read about theEar Mite Success Storiesto see some encouraging feedback. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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