| Cats, more than of the other common | | | | Even if cats can't talk and tell us about it, |
| house-pets, are susceptible to ear mites. | | | | we can guess fairly well that mites in their |
| Fortunately, when caught early, an ear mite | | | | ears are a terrible discomfort for them. |
| infestation can easily be treated. Knowing | | | | Fortunately, there are common cures to |
| the early warning signs makes the difference | | | | alleviate the condition. These are: topical |
| between a minor inconvenience and a major | | | | treatments, oral medication and injections. |
| irritation. If your cat experiences these | | | | |
| warning signs, you should see a veterinarian | | | | Topical preparations should be used for about |
| as soon as possible: | | | | a month, or enough time to cover the life |
| | | | cycle of the ear mite. The reason is that |
| * Itching | | | | creams and ointments kill only the mites |
| | | | themselves but not the eggs they have laid |
| * Scratching the ears and/or head | | | | inside your cat's ear. Hence eradication will |
| | | | be complete only when the mites born out of |
| * Head shaking, as if trying to shake the | | | | the hatched eggs are eliminated. |
| mites out | | | | |
| | | | Some topical ointments like Tresaderm contain |
| * Scabs and/or hair loss on the head or | | | | antibiotics and other ingredients that treat |
| around ears | | | | secondary effects, such as inflammation and |
| | | | infection. They are more potent and can be |
| To completely eradicate the ear mites is, | | | | used for as short a period as two weeks. Most |
| unfortunately, difficult. On the bright side, | | | | of these types of ointments are popular among |
| your cat has a number of treatment options to | | | | veterinarians. |
| alleviate the irritation. | | | | |
| | | | Some veterinarians continue to administer |
| As many people know, including practicing | | | | medication directed at curing ear mites in |
| veterinarians, the flea treatment called | | | | cats via injection, without approval of the |
| "Frontline Topspot," can also be used for | | | | FDA for mode of drug delivery. Ivermectin is |
| treating ear mites. Frontline has been tested | | | | an anti-parasite delivered in shots numbering |
| on cats and approved by vets to treat both | | | | from two to four in frequency, depending on |
| fleas and ear mites at the same time. | | | | the severity of the cat's condition. |
| | | | Frontline, a proven eliminator of ear mites, |
| Ear mites can spread! Sometimes, they leave | | | | is another veterinary drug known to be |
| the ears and settle on different parts of | | | | dispensed in injectable form. Pet cat owners |
| your cat's body. Ear mites especially like to | | | | should proceed with caution if they want to |
| settle on the head. This is when flea control | | | | try these injectables, since possible adverse |
| products work best. Another option is to use | | | | reactions they may cause are not well known. |
| a "once-a-month" topical treatment. | | | | |
| | | | Remember that build up in the cat's ears, |
| Ear mites can spread! Yes, we say it again, | | | | especially those brown crusty debris caused |
| because ear mites are highly contagious and | | | | by the mites, should be dislodged thoroughly |
| can easily spread from cat to cat. If you | | | | prior to treatment proper. You can ask for |
| have two or more cats in the household and | | | | help from the veterinarian if you do not know |
| one of them exhibits symptoms, it would be | | | | how to flush feline ears, or are not |
| wise to have all your cats examined for ear | | | | comfortable with the procedure. |
| mites. | | | | |
| | | | As mentioned earlier, it is indeed fortunate |
| Armed with knowledge, and the latest medical | | | | that there are common cures that alleviate |
| products, you can protect your cherished pets | | | | the problem of cat ear mites. Perhaps a |
| from the terror of ear mites. | | | | complete solution or preventive system is |
| | | | just around the corner? |