What to do when kittens have discovered ear mites: causes, symptoms

Greetings to my dear readers! There are many similarities between animals and humans when it comes to children. Young animals, like human children, are most vulnerable to all kinds of diseases and parasites.

For example, recently I came across ear mites in kittens. To cure them in an adult animal is one thing, and a completely different calico is when a kitten encounters them. I tell you how to deal with these parasites.

Ear tick in kittens

Ticks in the ears of cats and kittens are parasites that live in the external auditory canal and feed on particles of skin. Ear mites injure the sensitive skin of the auricle and cause a serious invasive disease.

Otodectosis or ear scabies, usually accompanied by a bacterial infection. In advanced, severe cases, otodectosis can lead to the death of a cat or kitten.

Both cats and dogs can become infected with odeodectosis, but ear scabies is more common in cats. For people, ear mites are generally not harmful, but you can be a vector and infect your cat or kitten.

A sick cat can be dangerous for other pets, for example, an ear tick can go to a ferret or a dog.

Young cats (up to a year old) and kittens are especially susceptible to otodectosis (ear scabies). But adult cats and cats can also become infected with ear mites.

Usually, ear mites affect both ears at once, but if only one is affected, both ears need to be treated, otherwise the mites will simply change their place of residence.

Causes of infection

There are many reasons for infection with an ear tick, consider the main ones:

• Contact of your cat or kitten with an infected animal is the most common cause of ear mites.
• A person can infect a cat or kitten by transferring ticks on his hands and clothes.
• Shared use of care products for sick and healthy animals (comb, bedding, toys, bowl, carrying).
• A cat or kitten can become infected by fleas; they are tick carriers.

The ear tick itself is not very dangerous for cats and can be treated quite easily, but sometimes it may require some effort and perseverance from the owner of the cat during treatment.

Due to intensive combing, the blood vessels in the ear can rupture, a hematoma is formed, this will require surgical intervention.

In the absence of the necessary treatment, the cat will have otitis media, the hearing will gradually disappear, the eardrum may rupture, and the inflammatory process will go to the middle and inner part of the ear (labyrinthitis).

Ultimately, inflammation of the meninges begins, the cat begins to suffer from seizures and the animal will die.

Symptoms

Symptoms that you first need to pay attention to in time to detect ear mites in your cat or kitten:

1. Redness and peeling of the inner surface of the auricle.
2. The cat becomes restless due to itching in the auricle, she often shakes her head, can comb damaged areas to blood.
3. Bonded wool and bald patches appear in the lower part of the ear.
4. Isolation of fluid (exudate).
5. The exudate, together with the waste products of ear mites, forms dark brown scabs.
6. Unpleasant odor due to accumulated purulent exudate.
7. “Crooked-headedness” - the cat tilts its head with a sick ear down, this indicates that otodectosis has passed into a complicated stage.

Now in veterinary pharmacies they sell a bunch of drugs for the treatment of ear mites - powders, ointments, drops, aerosols, but it's not so simple.

Medicines must be selected based on the age and condition of the animal (pregnancy or the presence of other diseases), strictly follow the instructions - drops and ointments are not harmless, with an overdose, you can poison the animal, especially if it is a kitten.

If your cat or kitten is in a neglected state, it is better to consult a veterinarian, serious antibiotic treatment and the use of special intramuscular injections, for example, “Otodectin”, may be required.

This is done by many, no one listens to the warning, and then they are surprised that otodectosis is not treated or it got worse after your “treatment”.

Instructions for getting rid of an ear tick in kittens

For treatment, you will need three drugs:

• drops or ointment for the treatment of otodectosis
• ear cleaner
• insecticidal spray or drops at the withers

Buy medicines at a specialized zoo pharmacy, do not take drugs in tents on the market, etc. Acaricides are most commonly found in zoo pharmacies: “Amit”, “Bars”, “Amitrazin”, “Akromektin”, “Otoferonol” (Plus, Gold, Platinum), “Ordermil” (ointment), “Frontline”, “Vedinol Plus” (ointment), “Anandin Plus”, “Tsipam”, etc.

“Amit”, “Bars”, “Amitrazin” are found most often and usually the cheapest. I tried “Amit” and “Bars” - they didn’t help, I often hear about “Amitrazin” and “Anandin” that they cause allergic reactions and skin irritations.

I like “Otoferonol Gold” (then there was no “Otoferonol Platinum”), he cured several cats. Also good reviews about Frontline and Vedinol Plus.

You can buy any cleaning agent, I bought Bars lotion, there were simply no others, but he coped with his task. The product can be replaced with vegetable oil, and non-toxic can cope with ear cleaning.

If you choose between a spray and drops at the withers, then choose a spray, they can process the litter and the main places of stay of a cat or kitten.

Most often, drugs based on such drugs as “Tsiodrin”, “Prosoptol”, “Acrodex”, “Dermatozol” “Fipronil” are used.

Carefully clean the ears of the cat or kitten from dark secretions.Do this even if the instructions for the drug for the treatment of otodectosis say that you can immediately drip, but do not need to clean.

Scabs interfere with the action of the drug, it will not penetrate deep enough to get rid of ticks that are deeply embedded in the ear of the unfortunate animal.

Insert the ear cleaner according to the instructions (if using vegetable oil, drop five drops in each ear), massage for 30 seconds, let the cat shake its head and wipe the ear with a cotton or cotton pad, in some cases it will have to be done several times, until full cleaning up. At first, you have to clean your ears almost every day.

Hold the cat's head a bit so that it does not shake the medicine from the ears. Then moisten the cotton pad slightly with the same preparation and wipe the inside of the cat’s ear or kitten, as well as the skin around the ear.

If you have several cats or kittens, then for the prevention you need to handle all. For kittens and pregnant cats, special drops and spray should be used.

This procedure must be repeated according to the instructions, usually every 5-7 days, due to the life cycle of the ear tick.

Treat the cat's entire body with a spray of skin parasites or drip drops at the withers. When treated with ear preparations, ticks can pass onto the body of the animal.

I had a case that all the parasites ran onto the tail of a cat, did not notice right away, then it was very problematic to get them out.

Treat the animal according to the instructions, usually once. Do not let the cat lick until the drug dries.

Spray the main places of sleep of a cat or kitten. Treatment lasts about 2-4 weeks, depending on the stage of infection.

Do not forget that the immunity of a cat or kitten plays an important role in the process of complete recovery. Therefore, high-protein foods and vitamins should be included in the diet.

If a pregnant cat has an ear tick, then most drops and ointments are not suitable for her. It is necessary to regularly clean the ears of the cat with sunflower oil, wipe it with hydrogen peroxide and instill camphor oil (2-3 drops).

If you decide to buy drops from ear mites at a veterinary pharmacy, be sure to see if the drug is approved for the treatment of a pregnant cat.

It must be remembered that otodectosis is often complicated by secondary otitis media. Therefore, discharge from the ears, itching and some other symptoms may persist after the mites have completely died. In such cases, it is better to consult a specialist.

How to treat ear mites in cats at home

My good friend works in a pet store. She said that recently, clients have often come to her for various drops from an ear tick.

Says some kind of epidemic started right away. We have two cats in our house and we began to worry that they would not be caught in the same fate. After all, treatment can take a lot of time and effort.

In order not to self-medicate, we took her to the vet. There, we were diagnosed with otodectosis and prescribed the appropriate drugs.

In this article you will learn: how to treat ear mites in cats, what to do when they are detected, how to treat them, and what are the main measures to prevent infection.

How to treat ear mites in cats

The ear mite is very simple. If you see that your cat shakes its head and scratches its ears excessively, or you notice an unusual smell coming from its ears, these may be the first signs of an ear tick. The medical name is otodectosis.

If your cat has an ear tick and you don’t know what to do and are looking for advice on the Internet in forums, we recommend that you do not self-medicate and experiment with your favorite cat, because the consequences of your experiment may disappoint you and your family.

The ear mite in cats is a tiny, crab-like parasite. Ticks live in the ear canal and on the head, and sometimes on the body.

Imagine how thousands of these tiny insects crawl in your pet’s ears! Ticks live on the surface of the skin and in the ear canal, where they feed on dead cells and tissue fluids.

Ticks can also spread over the entire surface of the skin. When this happens, the cat begins to scratch its back, neck and tail. The presence of ticks can cause severe inflammation in the ears of your affected cat.

Although an ear tick can appear in a cat at any age, nevertheless, a tick is more common in small and growing kittens.

This is due to the not yet fully formed immunity. Ticks have a three-week life cycle and can live without a parasite host for several weeks. Unlike fleas, the tick does not penetrate the skin and does not suck blood.

Symptoms of infection and diagnosis

1. Irritation and scratched skin;
2. Increased earwax;
3. Thick, black discharge from the ear;
4. Scratched ears;
5. The cat shakes its head regularly;
6. Scratched skin around the ears.

Symptoms of an ear mite are often similar to other ear diseases. For example, a yeast infection can also produce black exudate (black discharge) in your cat's ears.

But if you decide to experiment with the cat and, without a diagnosis, use drugs against ear mites, the situation may worsen and the cat’s ear inflammation will begin.

Also in the light, ticks begin to move. If the tick is located deep in the ear canal, the veterinarian will use the ear stick to remove the ticks that are deeply entangled to examine the exudate under a microscope.

Ear tick is a very contagious disease. All other pets should be examined and treated at the same time. Ticks can also be transmitted to your dogs.

Ear mites in cats are contagious! If an ear tick was found in one of your animals, you should check all domestic animals for its presence and, if necessary, conduct treatment.

An ear mite is most often diagnosed by a veterinarian when examining an ear with an otoscope with a magnifying glass. In this way, the tick can be seen.

The cytological analysis of the smear involves taking a sample of the discharge from the ear and examining it under a microscope (the swab is mixed with mineral oil and placed on a microscope slide - this is how the ear tick can be observed). Scraping can also be done if your cat is hit by a tick and on the skin.

Pets with recurrent ear infections, that is, poorly treatable animals with generalized skin abnormalities or other health problems, may be subject to additional diagnostic tests. These tests are not typical for animals with simple ear tick disease.

Additional tests may include:

• Bacterial culture and sensitivity. The procedure involves taking a sample from the ear and analysis in the laboratory to determine specific bacteria. Bacteria are treated with several antibiotics to determine what will kill them most effectively;
• X-rays or CT scans. These studies can be done to determine the condition of the auricle and bone, and they can also be used to assess the degree of involvement in the disease;
• A complete blood test and biochemical analysis can be done in order to check the factors contributing to the development of infection, as well as to determine the presence of a concurrent disease;
• Skin scrapings;
• Allergic tests.

The vet starts the treatment by cleaning your cat's ears. Some of the new drugs do not require thorough cleaning before use. The veterinarian can prescribe injections and medications for home treatment.

How to drip ear drops

Ear diseases, infections and injuries are fairly common diseases, often requiring medication. For the average person (not the medical profession), using these drugs can be confusing and complex.

To complete a doctor’s prescription may require diligence and patience to give the cat medicine. The technique used to complete the doctor’s prescriptions is described below:

1. Prepare the medicine by opening the vial;
2. Hold the head of your cat with one hand and the other with the medicine you are using.
3. Be very careful not to hold your ear too hard, because it can cause even more pain. Be prepared for your cat to flinch when the medicine touches your ear;
4. Continue to hold your cat's head, and use the medicine bottle with your other hand;
5. That's all. You have instilled one ear. Gently massage the base of the ear so that the medicine spreads deeper into the ear.

If your cat's skin is also affected, you will have to wipe the tick-affected areas with the medicine. After completing the prescribed course of treatment, a repeat visit to the veterinarian is required for a final conclusion.

How to treat at home

You can prevent the ear tick from appearing if you dry your cat’s ears after bathing, regularly check for foreign secretions and, if necessary, promptly call a veterinarian at the first sign of trouble.

An ear mite, otodectosis (Otodectes cynotis), is a parasite that lives in a cat’s ear canal. These microscopic white insects can appear at any cat age, but more often in young animals. The most common sign of ear mites in cats is itching in the ear and black discharge.

Ear mites can also spread to the surface of the skin. When this happens, the cat begins to "itch" in the back, neck and tail.

An ear mite spends its entire life on an infected cat. The female tick lays eggs in the ear and in the area of ​​the hairline of the ear.

Small mites hatch from the eggs after four days of the incubation period. The larva feeds on earwax and secretions from the skin for one week.

Then they molt into “protonymphs,” which, in turn, molt into “deutonymphs.” Daytonymphs do not develop sex until they mate with a male tick.

If, as a result, the tick is female, then it will be fertilized with eggs with the following offspring.

What is prescribed treatment with an ear tick

The ear tick in cats should only be treated after the veterinarian has examined and diagnosed.If the cat has no ticks in its ears, the use of anti-tick drugs can aggravate the situation with a sore ear. Complete treatment consists of the following steps:

• Ear cleaning. It all depends on the degree of infection with an ear infection. Do not use cotton swabs to clean your cat's ears, this can only aggravate the situation, as you can push the infection deeper into the ear canal;
• Use of medication for infected cat ears. Usually the veterinarian prescribes local treatment, which consists in the use of preparations for the ears (drops). Often prescribed drugs, which include milbemycin or ivermectin. Thiabendazole may be prescribed for home use.
• The use of the drug on affected areas of the skin. If the cat’s ear tick has spread to the skin, the affected areas are often treated with flea remedies;
• Re-examination of the veterinarian. All other animals that have been in contact with an infected animal should also be shown to a veterinarian.

Step-by-step treatment for the parasite

Most owners do not immediately notice that his cat has a problem with an ear tick. Therefore, cases of the disease are more often neglected. A single use of preparations from an ear tick does not give results.

And then the owners begin to search - how to cure the ear tick in cats and kittens? This is a fairly painstaking task, requiring attention and diligence from the owners. To recognize the ailment and begin the correct treatment, just look at the photo of the ear tick in the cat.

Preparations

For the treatment of an ear tick in cats, 3 preparations are needed:

1. drops or ointment for the treatment of otodectosis.
2. ear cleaner.
3. insecticidal spray or drops on the withers (if the ear mites have moved to the head or body).

The most commonly used drugs are those based on such drugs as Tsiodrin, Prosoptol, Acrodex, Dermatozol, Fipronil, and it’s not always possible to buy them, so you can ask for any skin parasite spray in a veterinary pharmacy.

What is more convenient for cats to treat the ear tick in cats, it will not be difficult to choose, because the range of drugs for treating the ear tick in veterinary pharmacies is quite wide.

Cleaning the ears of the animal

Carefully clean the ears of the cat or kitten from dark secretions. Do this even if the instructions for the preparation for the treatment of an ear tick say that you can immediately drip, but do not need to clean.

Insert the ear cleaner according to the instructions (if using vegetable oil, drop five drops in each ear), massage for 30 seconds, let the cat shake its head and wipe the ear with a cotton or cotton pad, in some cases it will have to be done several times, until full cleaning up.

At first, you have to clean your ears every day. Do not pick your ears with cotton buds to cats !!! Cotton pads or balls are more suitable for such purposes.

Dripping ears

Place an ear tick remedy in each cat’s ear, do everything according to the instructions. Lightly massage the auricle at the base, for better penetration of the medicine. Hold the cat's head a bit so that it does not shake the medicine from the ears.

This procedure must be repeated according to the instructions, usually every 5-7 days, due to the life cycle of the ear tick.

Parasite treatment

Treat the cat's entire body with a spray of skin parasites or drip drops at the withers. When treated with ear preparations, ticks can pass onto the body of the animal.

There was a case that all parasites ran to the tail and legs of a cat, they did not notice right away, then it was very problematic to get them out.

Treat the animal according to the instructions, usually once.Do not let the cat lick until the drug dries.

Injections from an ear mite are highly toxic compared to drops and can cause an allergic reaction, with hair loss, itching and other consequences.

However, there is still a positive side - an injection helps to get rid of all blood-sucking parasites on the body of your cat (lice, fleas, scabies).

The treatment time for an ear tick is about a week or two. How long the ear tick is treated depends on the degree to which the cat is affected.

Ear mite in cats

The ear mite in cats is a tiny parasite that causes the animal a lot of suffering and discomfort. Each ear tick has a life cycle that lasts about three weeks.

They can cause irritation and inflammation, and can also lead to infection of both the outer ear and inner ear canal.

There are several different types of ear mites that parasitize cats, but the most common is Otodectes cynotis. These are ticks that feed on oils and wax found in the animal’s ears.

Parasites cause a serious disease - otodectosis. To rid the animal of torment, it is important to react in time and start treatment.

Ear mite

The ear mite in cats is a tiny tenacious arthropod. Before puberty, the parasite has time to shed several times (discards the rough shell). Microscopic jaws firmly dig into the skin and suck out the intercellular fluid.

What does an ear tick look like:

• length - 0.2-0.6 mm (the size of a semolina);
• body shape is oval;
• color - yellow;
• eight limbs and two pedipalps.

Many owners have a question, is the ear tick in cats not transmitted to humans, or not? In fact, for humans, the parasite does not pose any danger.

Veterinarian will prescribe medication for ear mites in cats after diagnosis. The main thing is to consult a specialist in time, as untimely treatment can lead to hearing impairment in a pet.

Symptoms of an ear tick

In order to timely detect the tick in the ear of the animal, you need to carefully monitor the behavior of the pet. It is important to understand that any foreign body in the ear will cause severe discomfort.

In the initial stages, arthropods, multiplying, will damage the outer and middle ear. At a later stage, the eardrum may already be affected.

Signs of an ear tick in cats:

1. excessive combing of the affected ear;
2. hair loss;
3. waxy discharge appears;
4. inflammation and itching;
5. garbage that looks like coffee grounds;
6. scabs or scratches around the ears;
7. disorientation.

The main symptoms of otodectosis are hard to miss. The animal becomes nervous, constantly shakes its head, while it can meow loudly and pityingly. The head during scabies will lean towards the affected ear.

If you notice such symptoms, you need to contact a veterinarian. An ear mite in cats whose symptoms may not appear immediately may be dangerous to the health and life of your pet. Symptoms and treatment should be constantly monitored to prevent complications.

Diagnostics

It is very difficult to independently recognize an ear tick. But if you look closely, you will notice black microscopic black grains (parasite secretions). Cat otodectosis, how to determine the development of the disease at the initial stage?

In order to get an accurate diagnosis, the veterinarian will take the discharge from the animal’s ear. Under the microscope, small, yellowish, moving dots will be visible. This will mean infection.

How does infection happen?

In the external environment, the tick can live up to two months. Its life cycle is directly related to the animal.When asked where the ear tick in cats comes from, it can be answered with accuracy that for a healthy beast, a sick cat is a source of infection. The reasons are not difficult to determine, because it is a skin-parasite.

Most often, infection occurs in the warm season. Such a seasonality of the disease is related to the fact that arthropods at longer temperatures retain their viability and can infect shoes, clothing and pet care items. The ear tick in cats is more often observed when the animal is under the age of 1 year.

Infection pathways

Infection with ear mites most often occurs from a stray sick animal. That is, a pet can get sick from a cat, which is a carrier of the disease. During infection, the animal, as a rule, has a weak immunity.

Possible ways of infection:

• pet care items (comb, carry, clothes);
• clothes and shoes of the owner;
• fleas, flies;
• wild animals (foxes, raccoons).

On the skin or coat of a cat, either the tick itself or its eggs get. First of all, the parasite penetrates the auricle, injuring the skin.

The ear swells, the exudate is separated, which after drying turns into brown crusts. Subsequently, the layering of the crusts forms corks.

If measures are not taken, the pressure of the plugs on the eardrum can cause it to rupture. Unfortunately, tick vaccination does not exist.

Ear tick treatment

How is ear tick treated in cats? This question is asked by every owner whose pet exhibits the above symptoms.

There are a lot of drugs. It can be ointments, injections, gels, drops. Ear drops for cats from ticks are prescribed by specialists after a diagnosis is made.

Get rid of the ear tick:

1. The ear tick of the cat is removed in complete sterility. First of all, we clean the cat’s ears - we treat the affected skin with an antiseptic.
2. With the help of an ear stick (soaked in peroxide) from the ears you need to get all the dirt and dried out secretions. This will help cleanse crusts, scabs, waste products of parasites, pus and other secretions. Remember, by removing the ear mite from the cat in the right way, you will avoid any dangerous consequences.
3. For the treatment of ear mites we use anti-mite drugs. After cleansing the affected ear, you should use the acquired preparations, for example, drops from an ear tick for cats.
4. An ear mite in cats takes a lot of strength and energy. It is important at the time of treatment to strengthen the pet's immunity. To recover faster, the pet's body needs to be strengthened. Therefore, foods rich in vitamins and minerals will need to be added to the diet.

Home treatment involves complete sterility. The procedure should be carried out with gloves. If this happened for the first time with your pet, and you don’t know how to cure the cat and how to treat painful symptoms, then it is better to consult a specialist.

Experienced veterinarians know how ear mites are treated in cats, so their treatment methods will help to avoid the consequences. The ear mite is treated for a long time due to the fact that the initial stage does not bear any signs. But if you notice the symptoms on time, the treatment will go much faster.

Description of ear mite preparations

Today, the modern market provides us with a huge selection of drugs, both domestic and foreign production.

In order to get rid of the parasite, you can use drops, gels, ointments, aerosols, spray. Medicines can be purchased at any veterinary pharmacy.

Let's look at the most effective drugs:

• Surolan.These are medicinal drops that are effective in treating dermatitis, otitis media and ear mites. Active ingredients: miconazole nitrate (kill gram-positive bacteria), prednisolone acetate (kill gram-negative bacteria) and glucocorticoid acetate (relieves itching and inflammation). Use 5 drops in both ears once a day. There are no side effects.
• Amitrazine. The composition and form of release is indicated in the instructions. The drug is produced in the form of drops, which adversely affect parasites. The composition includes amitrazine and decamethokisin, as well as additional active substances. They help to pass tissue regeneration faster after combing, relieve itching and pain. Pipette 0.5 ml into each ear daily. Seven procedures will be enough.
• Amidel gel. The active ingredient is amitraz. It is he who blocks the nervous system of arthropods, causing tremors, and then the death of the parasite. Lidocaine hydrochloride relieves inflammation and itching. Methyluracil accelerates healing and stimulates the body's defense at the cellular level. The gel is applied in a thin layer on the inner ear (previously cleaned) and rubbed with massage movements.
• Aversectin ointment. The active ingredient is aversectin S. It fights not only with larvae, but also with adult parasites. The drug disrupts the work of the National Assembly, the tick immobilizes and dies. Apply daily with a thin layer. Massage finger movements from the edges to the center. For a complete cure, 3-4 treatments are enough. Do not use this ointment with any other antiparasitic agent.
• Aurikan. These are bactericidal ear drops for animals. Available in 25 ml vials. Active ingredients: tetracaine chloride, hexamidine diisetionate, prednisone and diazinon. It is necessary to bury daily 5-6 drops in each ear. Thanks to the bactericidal agent, the steroidal anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic components, arthropods die with larvae in 5-7 days of drug administration.
• Stronghold. The release form is odorless and colorless drops. It is worth noting a very convenient bottle that will allow you to measure the right amount of medicine and comfortably apply it to the affected skin. The active ingredient is selamectin. It is he who poses a mortal threat to all arthropods. It can also be used for small kittens from 1.5 months of age. Drops act on the NS of the parasite, blocking nerve impulses. Muscle fibers paralyze, and arthropods die quickly.
• Front line The medicine provides a quick death of parasites. Front line for cats guarantees fast results. 5 drops are instilled into each ear. There are 3 types of drug: Spot On, Combo and Spray. For ear mites and for their prevention, it is recommended to use Frontline Combo. Available in the form of drops for external use. Ticks die within two days of use.
• Leopard. It is an effective remedy for arthropods. The medicine is famous for its acaricidal action against larvae and adults. The procedure is carried out once every 5 days. 5 drops should be instilled into the animal’s ear. The leopard relieves itching, inflammation and stimulates the healing of wounds and scratches.
• Anandine Plus. Drops have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. The medicine is transparent (slightly yellowish), has a specific smell. Contains synthetic pyrethroid permethrin, as well as additional active substances that help fight itching and inflammation. Bury 3-4 drops in each ear. It is enough to carry out two procedures with a five-day interval.

It takes some time for the medicine to work. Therefore, so that the pet does not wash it, it is recommended for 20-30 minutes to wear either a bandage on the ear, or a muzzle or a plastic collar on the neck.

Folk remedies for ear mites in cats

In addition to the traditional treatment, there is also a folk treatment, which contains in its arsenal natural ingredients with a therapeutic effect.

Treatment with folk remedies will help lead to the death of an ear parasite, relieve itching and inflammation. The most effective methods are listed below.

Mineral oil

Mineral oil is a great home remedy for cats. It helps not only to dissolve ear discharge, but also in addition to kill ear mites.

Using mineral oil for two to three weeks will eliminate the parasite. Use enough so that the oil covers the inner ear. In order for the arthropods to crawl out, 4-5 days of effective treatment must pass.

Olive oil

Olive oil is an excellent tool for ear mites in cats. It can be used alone or with other ingredients to increase its effectiveness. Use should be as a natural remedy for ticks:

1. heat the olive oil in a water bath;
2. put the cat on its lap and stroke it for relaxation;
3. with a syringe or pipette, lead a couple of drops of oil into the ear canal;
4. massage in a circular motion.

After the procedure, the animal is likely to shake its head. This will remove debris from the ear canal. Clean the outside with a towel or cotton swab and treat the pet with something tasty.

White vinegar

White vinegar helps in eradicating parasites by balancing pH levels in the ears. This method cannot be used for cats that have wounds on the ears.

• mix one part vinegar with an equal part water;
• Use a pipette to drip a few drops into each ear.

After the procedure, using a cotton pad, wipe the inside of the ears.

Honey

Beekeeping products have long been famous for their unique qualities. It is known that honey has antiseptic properties.

Getting to treatment:

1. mix equal portions of water and honey in a bowl;
2. Pipette the mixture into the ear canal (5 drops is enough).

The procedure should be repeated until the auricles are clean and healthy.

Green tea

As a natural antiseptic, green tea will help eliminate microorganisms and debris in cat ears. The tool is easy to use and gives results in a short time.

Terms of use:

• make cool green tea;
• strain and let the drink cool before use;
• moisten a cotton pad (do not wring it out strongly) and thoroughly wipe the affected skin.

A similar procedure is recommended daily for a month.

The best way to get rid of ear mites is to choose a treatment option and be consistent in its use. The result will depend on your persistence and regularity of the procedures.

If the selected drug does not help after 2-3 weeks, you should choose another remedy. Remember to always clean your cat's ears to avoid reinfestation.

Ear tick prevention

So, we know everything about identifying and treating ear mites, but what most people want to know is how to prevent them altogether.

Is the ear tick in cats known to be life threatening? Therefore, prevention is really the best thing you can do for your pet, because these arthropods are dangerous to their life.

Prevention measures are simple:

1. To prevent parasites, it is important to clean your cat's ears regularly. This will allow you to see any problems at an early stage.
2. Prevent contact with stray animals. Homeless cats should not be touched by a person, because a parasite can “come” to your house, parasitizing on human clothes or shoes.
3. Strengthen the immunity of the animal. Feed foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
4. In the season of parasite activity, you can use special drops or ointments, which will become a barrier to the penetration of ticks into the skin.

You do not need to immediately panic if you suspect Otodectosis. Modern or alternative drugs will help to overcome the problem and restore good mood and good health to your pet.The main thing to remember - prevention of an ear tick in cats will provide the pet with reliable protection against “uninvited guests”.

Ear mite in cats and kittens

The ear tick in cats is called the smallest parasite that infects pets. The pest settles in the ear of the animal, feeding on skin and blood.

Periodically, he can live on his feet or skin, moving easily to another cat or dog. But for a person, this bloodsucker is not dangerous, since it does not survive on it.

Reasons for the appearance

The reason for the mass spread of the parasite is its tiny size, making it almost impossible to see with the naked eye.

Cats and dogs come into contact with each other either directly or through an environment where ticks can stay and survive for weeks. Their main carrier are stray animals.

Signs of the disease

Symptoms of an ear tick in cats can range from mild irritation in the area to persistent itching. The animal scratches the ear all the time, often tearing it to the blood.

There is also constant swaying and shaking of the head, which indicates anxiety and discomfort.

In most cases, infection is accompanied by the release of a certain waxy substance of black color, which is a product of the vital activity of the pest.

Many cats are overly sensitive to infection, they react exaggeratedly strongly and visibly, although they have a mild form of the disease.

Such animals very often and strongly scratch the auricle, which leads to the formation of lacerations and bruises. A blood ball forms inside, the ear can sag and lose hair.

Some pets, on the contrary, show almost no signs of an ear tick in cats, although they have this disease in a severe form.

The ear tick in a kitten does not differ in the symptoms and causes of the appearance of a bloodsucker in adult cats. If treatment measures are not taken, kittens may experience the same consequences: copious waxy discharge, hematomas. And the occurrence of a secondary infection from lacerations will inevitably lead to complications and a bad smell from the ears.

How to get rid of an ear tick in cats

If an ear infection is suspected, a veterinarian should be visited immediately. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then a course of treatment will be prescribed. It is possible to prevent the disease by both pharmacy and folk remedies.

But first of all, the ear needs to be cleaned. The most gentle method is instillation with a special composition or lotion. After that you need to do a light massage. Then let the cat shake out all the dirt itself.

The next stage of therapy is to bury the ear with a special medicine. In stages, the entire process of treatment with pharmacy drugs looks like this:

• Aversectin ointment. Has aversectin C. As a part, it has anti-mite (acaricidal) action. After cleansing the ear, apply ointment with a spatula and massage.
• Ointment Amit. The composition includes amitraz and prednisone. Has an acaricidal effect. The cat's ear should be cleaned of crusts and scabs with a cotton pad moistened with this composition. After that, instill 3-6 drops of Amit forte (the number of drops depends on the size of the animal), massage the ear, folding it in half, to evenly distribute the drug. Repeat twice a day, subject to an interval of 3-5 days.
• Drops for ears Amitrazin. The composition includes amitraz and dimexide. They have the same acaricidal effect.After cleansing the auricle, instill once a day. It takes from 3 to 6 treatments with an interval of 3 days, until the symptoms disappear.
• Spray Acaromectin. Acaricidal agent containing ivermectin. Method of application: spray, evenly wetting the inner surface of the ear.

After such treatment, you need to do the necessary tests. With a negative result (no tick-borne infection found), you can stop taking the drugs.

Alternative treatment

There are folk remedies for controlling the ear tick. They are no less effective, moreover, they are very cheap. Brewed green tea can be successfully used to get rid of an ear parasite. The course of treatment is one month.
To do this, you must:

1. 1 tbsp. l dry tea pour boiling water;
2. insist for 3 minutes, cool;
3. bury a cat's ear every day.

There is another popular recipe for treating an ear tick in cats - using oil (almond or olive) to make drops:

• Combine the oil with garlic.
• Insist for a day.
• Instill 3-4 drops in each ear.

Prevention

Compliance with the following simple rules can be attributed to preventive measures of an ear tick in cats:

1. Be sure to ensure that the cat does not come into contact with other animals that can infect it. Avoid contact with stray cats and dogs. They are most likely to reward a pet with an infection.
2. Check with your veterinarian as often as possible.
3. Mandatory is cleaning the ears of the pet. This should be done regularly, using special formulations such as lotions.
4. A necessary condition is also personal hygiene with regular wet cleaning of the room, including treating a cat with an antiparasitic agent. As an example, we can cite a drug called Stronghold. It is an almost colorless solution that is applied externally. Contains selamectin with antiparasitic action.

Ear tick in cats is an infectious disease. It would seem that it is not too heavy, but can lead to very undesirable complications and consequences.

Therefore, you should not neglect a visit to the veterinarian, even at the slightest suspicion of the possibility of infection. Like any infection, this bloodsucker best survives in an immune system weakened.