| Ear Mites Race Foster, DVM Marty Smith, DVM Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. |
There are several types of mites that can invade the ear canals of dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. The same
mite can affect both dogs and cats. In the puppy and kitten, the most common ear mite is Otodectes cynotis.
It is not important in the diagnosis and treatment of ear mites to identify the exact scientific type of mite.
Regardless of the exact mite species involved, we usually refer to mites of the ear canal simply as ear
mites. Contrary to popular belief, however, is the fact that ear mites can live anywhere on the animal's body.
How are the mites transmitted?
Ear mites are extremely contagious. They can be passed from the mother animal to her offspring.
Additionally, the mites are easily spread to other pets within the household including cats, dogs, rabbits,
hamsters, gerbils, mice, ferrets, etc. Humans are not affected.
What are the symptoms?
Puppies and kittens with ear mites will scratch around their ears and/or shake
their heads. The amount of scratching and shaking depends on the severity of the
mite infestation. With more advanced infestation, the ear canals will bleed and
either fresh or dried blood will appear inside the canal. Dried blood resembles
coffee grounds. If you peer into your pet's ears and notice a
build-up of a material that looks like 'coffee grounds,' then your pet probably has
ear mites, although a bacterial and/or yeast infection is also a possibility.
Ear mites are very common, but still serious. Left untreated, they severely damage the ear canals and
eardrum and can cause permanent hearing loss.
If mites spread out of the ears to other areas of the body, the animal may or may not scratch the area.
What is the management?
Various commercial ear preparations are available to kill the mites. These products contain an insecticide,
usually pyrethrin. Ear products without an insecticide will not kill the mites. Ivermectin, fipronil (Frontline),
and selamectin (Revolution) have also been used by some veterinarians. (Milbemycin (Interceptor) and
Acarexx, a form of ivermectin have recently been approved for the treatment of ear mites in cats.)
Depending upon the medication used, the ears may need to be treated two to four weeks until all mites are
killed. As previously mentioned, many ear mites live all over the body, including the feet and tail. These areas
should also be treated. Most products designed for fleas and ticks such as sprays, dips, and shampoos, which
contain one of the above ingredients will be effective. Be sure to use products approved for use on dogs, and
to treat the tail. This is because while sleeping, the tail is curled around the puppy's body where it lies in
close contact with the ear. Because mites are very easily transferred between pets, it is best if all pets in
the household receive simultaneous treatment. Most types of mites do not survive long off the pets, so the
treatment of the house and yard is usually not necessary.
Can I get ear mites from my pet?
Ear mites are not considered to be a zoonotic disease (disease which can be transmitted from animals to
humans).
mite can affect both dogs and cats. In the puppy and kitten, the most common ear mite is Otodectes cynotis.
It is not important in the diagnosis and treatment of ear mites to identify the exact scientific type of mite.
Regardless of the exact mite species involved, we usually refer to mites of the ear canal simply as ear
mites. Contrary to popular belief, however, is the fact that ear mites can live anywhere on the animal's body.
How are the mites transmitted?
Ear mites are extremely contagious. They can be passed from the mother animal to her offspring.
Additionally, the mites are easily spread to other pets within the household including cats, dogs, rabbits,
hamsters, gerbils, mice, ferrets, etc. Humans are not affected.
What are the symptoms?
Puppies and kittens with ear mites will scratch around their ears and/or shake
their heads. The amount of scratching and shaking depends on the severity of the
mite infestation. With more advanced infestation, the ear canals will bleed and
either fresh or dried blood will appear inside the canal. Dried blood resembles
coffee grounds. If you peer into your pet's ears and notice a
build-up of a material that looks like 'coffee grounds,' then your pet probably has
ear mites, although a bacterial and/or yeast infection is also a possibility.
Ear mites are very common, but still serious. Left untreated, they severely damage the ear canals and
eardrum and can cause permanent hearing loss.
If mites spread out of the ears to other areas of the body, the animal may or may not scratch the area.
What is the management?
Various commercial ear preparations are available to kill the mites. These products contain an insecticide,
usually pyrethrin. Ear products without an insecticide will not kill the mites. Ivermectin, fipronil (Frontline),
and selamectin (Revolution) have also been used by some veterinarians. (Milbemycin (Interceptor) and
Acarexx, a form of ivermectin have recently been approved for the treatment of ear mites in cats.)
Depending upon the medication used, the ears may need to be treated two to four weeks until all mites are
killed. As previously mentioned, many ear mites live all over the body, including the feet and tail. These areas
should also be treated. Most products designed for fleas and ticks such as sprays, dips, and shampoos, which
contain one of the above ingredients will be effective. Be sure to use products approved for use on dogs, and
to treat the tail. This is because while sleeping, the tail is curled around the puppy's body where it lies in
close contact with the ear. Because mites are very easily transferred between pets, it is best if all pets in
the household receive simultaneous treatment. Most types of mites do not survive long off the pets, so the
treatment of the house and yard is usually not necessary.
Can I get ear mites from my pet?
Ear mites are not considered to be a zoonotic disease (disease which can be transmitted from animals to
humans).
| This page was created by and is maintained by Belinda Winters for BFH Bassets. If you have any questions or comments email belindawinters@bfhbassets.com |
