Monday, June 23, 2014

Pet Health Tip #14- Ear Mites

Dogs and cats are both susceptible to ear mite infestations.  However, the most common victims are kittens.  Ear mites are microscopic creatures.  Under the microscope, they resemble a tick.  These little creatures will set up residence inside the kitten’s ear canal.  The mites crawl around inside the ear causing the kitten constant irritation.  The most common symptom your kitten will demonstrate is constant scratching and digging at her ears.  She will also shake her head a lot.  Ear mites feed on dead skin, so they don’t cause damage to the ear.  However, the kitten’s constant scratching can cause damage to the sensitive skin inside the ear, which can lead to a secondary bacterial infection.  Another symptom associated with ear mites is a build-up of black debris that has a gritty quality.  It has a consistency similar to sand.  This build-up is essentially mite waste.


Ear mites do not infest humans.  However, as I said, they will infest both dogs and cats.  It is common to have more than one animal in the household affected.  The treatment is simple and involves thoroughly cleaning the ears and applying medication.  It is important to consult your veterinarian for treatment options.

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