Posts Tagged ‘ear mites’

Some Important Facts On Ear Mites

Wendell Ruben | August 31st, 2010

Ear mites are a very common problem that many pets owners will have to deal with. Though they generally cannot infect human ears, they can cause problem with our pets. It is estimated that as many as fifty percent of domestic animals have this issue. It might be worth the time for pet owners to become familiar with the problem.

Mite infestations of the ears are a common problem with as much as 50 percent of the pet population exhibiting the problem. Though it is common, it is generally not a serious issue. Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms at all, making identifying the problem a bit difficult.

Although cats are usually the ones who suffer from the issue, dogs and other mammals may also develop the problem. Luckily, cases of human infestation are very rare and should not be a point of concern. The parasites are usually transferred from host to host through physical contact with an infected animal.

This problem, spread through physical contact with a host, is very easily caught by animals. As the infestation spreads, there may or may not be an appearance of symptoms. When they do occur, it is generally noticed that the cat or dog will shake its head and scratch at its ears out of frustration. Other times, the mites can actually be seen inside the ears. There may also be a dark, crusty discharge found with the ears.

Preventing this issue can be a bit tricky. Perhaps the most effective method is keeping animals inside and away from other animals that may pass on the parasite. It is advisable that you check the ears of your pets often for signs of the infection. This will allow you to get a jump start on treating the issue. Also advisable is keeping the ears clean with gentle, regular cleanings.

It is probably best that you speak with your local veterinarian. He or she can then give you an official diagnosis and prescribe the ideal treatment method. This process usually begins with a cleaning of the ears and the administration of medicated drops or other medications. There are over-the-counter options, however, these medicines are limited in their ability to kill off the infection. Prescription medications are more potent, and therefore probably a better option. Be sure to treat all animals in the home simultaneously to prevent further spreading.

Although it can be a troubling issue, and very aggravating one for pets, the problem of ear mites is usually not a serious one. It is very common and can typically be treated easily. However, it is a good idea that you speak with a vet. This is important to get a real diagnosis and more powerful medication that can eliminate the problem more quickly.

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Ear Mites And The Effect They Can Have On A Cat

Wendell Ruben | August 30th, 2010

For many people pets are loved the same way as their children and it makes them miserable when a pet is miserable. Any pet is likely to be exposed to mites at any time. Ticks and mites belong to the same subclass. The name of this common species is otodectes cynotis. This mite chooses to live within the ears of various animals. Transmission of these ear mites can happen just by animals walking by one another.

A variety of animals are affected by this mite like dogs, cats, guinea pigs and ferrets. It is also possible for people to be affected, although it is rare. Rabbits are affected by a larger mite.

A brown crusty material located in the ear of the animal is the first indicator that mites are present. These mites will be seen as white specs living within the crusty material in the ear canal, as they do not burrow like other mites. This is the number one cause of ear infections in cats, and responsible for a great many in other animals as well.

These mites result in bacterial and yeast infections. The ears of an animal will most likely be red and inflamed. The animal will probably spend a great deal of time scratching at the ears and shaking their head.

If left untreated the infection is likely to spread to other areas of an animal. It may continue to spread to areas of the neck and tail. The infected animal may end up with a serious skin infection or skin disease. Deafness is another real possibility for an infected animal that goes without treatment.

In order to treat the ears, all of the debris is removed first. Medication containing an antiparasitic is then used. If the person has more than one pet in the home, the veterinarian will most likely provide oral doses of ivermectin for each pet. Selamectin is available for the treatment of cats and the product is good for a month.

Mites that get into the ears of rabbits are larger than those in other animals. They are called psoroptes cuniculi. Instead of forming a material that is crusty, they create a thick material that is solid in the ear. It can eventually spread to the outside of the rabbit’s ear and to the face. The rabbit will experience the same symptoms of head shaking and scratching when they have these mites. It is necessary to rid both the rabbit and their habitat of these mites by frequently cleaning the cage and treating the rabbit with ivermectin. Another remedy for the treatment of rabbits is to use olive oil in the ears after removing debris. Olive oil is used to attempt to smother out the mites.

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