Ear mites are tiny parasites that commonly infest the ears of cats and dogs. Canker ear is a name given to the condition of having ear mites. Ear mite infestations are highly contagious.
Rabbits and some other pets may also develop ear mite infestations. If one pet in the household gets ear mites, it is recommended that all pets that can get ear mites are also treated for ear mites to prevent the infestation from circulating among the pets.
Even though ear mites live in the ear canal of the dog or cat, but ear mites may also be present in the pet's environment. The ear mites can be spread to other cats and dogs in the household from sharing the same environment or through direct contact.
Scratching of the ears and shaking the head are signs of an ear mite infestation. Some cats do not show any signs of canker ear, but the cat owner may see the discharge in the ears.
Ear mites can be diagnosed by a veterinarian by the characteristics of the discharge from the infected ear. The ear discharge caused by ear mites is often described as resembling coffee grounds. The ear mites themselves are microscopic and burrow into the skin inside the pet's ear, so they cannot be easily seen.
While cleaning the dog's and cat's ears can be helpful in preventing ear infections, it is ineffective for treating an ear mite infestation. The veterinarian is likely to prescribe an anti-parasitic, topical medication to be applied to the inside of the dog's or cat's ears. The medication kills the ear mites and helps prevent a reinfestation of ear mites.
The medication typically needs to be administered for up to ten days. After the course of the medication, the veterinarian may want to re-examine the cat or dog to determine if treatment was successful. Some veterinarians may want to examine the pet again after several weeks to check for a reinfestation of the ear mites.
Any minor cuts on the ears due to scratching may be treated with an antibiotic ointment. The veterinarian may also thoroughly clean the discharge from the cat's or dog's ears.
A possible complication of an ear mite infestation is a ruptured eardrum. A ruptured eardrum can cause instability when the pet is walking. If left untreated, ear mites can lead to ear infections and skin disease.
Rabbits and some other pets may also develop ear mite infestations. If one pet in the household gets ear mites, it is recommended that all pets that can get ear mites are also treated for ear mites to prevent the infestation from circulating among the pets.
Even though ear mites live in the ear canal of the dog or cat, but ear mites may also be present in the pet's environment. The ear mites can be spread to other cats and dogs in the household from sharing the same environment or through direct contact.
Scratching of the ears and shaking the head are signs of an ear mite infestation. Some cats do not show any signs of canker ear, but the cat owner may see the discharge in the ears.
Ear mites can be diagnosed by a veterinarian by the characteristics of the discharge from the infected ear. The ear discharge caused by ear mites is often described as resembling coffee grounds. The ear mites themselves are microscopic and burrow into the skin inside the pet's ear, so they cannot be easily seen.
While cleaning the dog's and cat's ears can be helpful in preventing ear infections, it is ineffective for treating an ear mite infestation. The veterinarian is likely to prescribe an anti-parasitic, topical medication to be applied to the inside of the dog's or cat's ears. The medication kills the ear mites and helps prevent a reinfestation of ear mites.
The medication typically needs to be administered for up to ten days. After the course of the medication, the veterinarian may want to re-examine the cat or dog to determine if treatment was successful. Some veterinarians may want to examine the pet again after several weeks to check for a reinfestation of the ear mites.
Any minor cuts on the ears due to scratching may be treated with an antibiotic ointment. The veterinarian may also thoroughly clean the discharge from the cat's or dog's ears.
A possible complication of an ear mite infestation is a ruptured eardrum. A ruptured eardrum can cause instability when the pet is walking. If left untreated, ear mites can lead to ear infections and skin disease.
About the Author:
Moses Wright is a big lover of cats. He set up this site to help fellow cat lovers with their cat health questions and provide more info on common cat illnesses symptoms.
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