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