Signs of Ear Mites in Kittens

The most common ear mite seen in cats is called Otodectes cynotis. Extremely contagious, the mite can be passed from the mother cat to her litter and from cat to cat inside a household. Kittens are particularly susceptible to ear mites because their immune systems have not developed well enough to repel them. Because long-term mite disease may cause equilibrium problems, serious ear infections and possible hearing loss, it is important that owners seek veterinary treatment for their animals when they first notice the signs and symptoms of mite infestation.

  1. Visual Indications

    • Feline ear mites cause a thick, crusty, dark-brown discharge, which accumulates in your kitten̵7;s ears. The discharge can look like coffee grounds, and, in bright light, you may be able to see the tiny, white mites crawling in the kitten's ear canal. Both ears are commonly affected and can become inflamed and infectious. There may be blood and lesions inside the ear from your kitten scratching at the mites, and you may find the mites crawling on your kitten's head, paws and tail.

    Behavioral Indications

    • A kitten with ear mites may shake his or her head or tilt it to one side because of the pruritus (intense itching) related to mite infestation. Your kitten may walk around with one or both ears laid back on his or her head and may sometimes vocalize when rubbing or scratching the ears. He or she may not want you touching the head or ears and may become irritated if you try to do so. Long-term mite infestation may result in your cat falling down, walking in circles or other equilibrium problems if the mites have gotten into the inner ear.

    Odor

    • You may notice an unusual smell coming from your kitten̵7;s ears. Caused by the feces of the mites, in conjunction with a possible bacterial ear infection, this odor has a particularly disagreeable, yeasty smell. The smell will go away once the ears are treated and the mite infestation is gone.

    Scratching

    • Your kitten may develop sores or lesions on his or her ears, head and neck because of the intense scratching associated with ear mites and may not be able to stop scratching without treatment. Dermatitis, a bacterial skin disease, can occur if the sores become infected, and skin inflammation and hair loss are often a secondary symptom of ear mites. If the mites have traveled to other areas of the kitten's body, then he or she may bite his paws or tail.