Signs & Symptoms of Ear Mites in a Cat's Health

Ear mites can lead to deafness or cause damage to a cat's ear canal if left untreated, but identification of ear mite symptoms will help you determine when your cat needs veterinary attention. Yeast and bacterial infections in the ear can cause similar symptoms, but a medical examination will reveal whether your cat has ear mites. These mites can travel to other areas of the cat's body, too.

  1. Scratching and Head Shaking

    • Cats may scratch at their ears if infested, and some cats twitch their ears or shake their heads back and forth from the itch of parasitic ear mites. Doctors Foster and Smith in PetEducation.com note that the amount of shaking and scratching often correlates with the severity of the infestation. Sores or lesions may appear around the cat's ears from excessive scratching.

    Odor and Discharge

    • An odor may emit from the ears if sores become infected by bacteria. The ears may also contain a waxy build-up, and dried blood from severe infestations will resemble coffee grounds within the ear. A combination of ear mites and bacterial infection can occur, so the cat must see a veterinarian for proper diagnosis.

    Ear Mite Treatment

    • Ear mites will spread between all pets in a household, so you may notice these symptoms in your other cats or dogs as well. A veterinarian will prescribe medication, such as Ivermectin, for treatment of the mites and may provide a topical treatment if the mites have spread over the cat's body. Flea medications, such as Revolution, are sometimes used for treatment of ear mites, too.