Medicine for Cats With Ear Mites

Ear mites can be quite bothersome and even painful to a cat. Fortunately, treatment is fairly convenient and effective. Furthermore, most ear mite medications can be purchased over-the-counter from many pet stores and veterinary hospitals.

  1. Diagnosis

    • A telltale sign of ear mites in cats is frequent ear-scratching and head-shaking, as well as a reddish-brown or black waxy buildup inside the ears. However, the only way to confirm the presence of ear mites is to swipe a cotton swab full of wax, rub it into a spot of mineral oil and observe the substance under a microscope for signs of mites or eggs. Viewing the ear with an otoscope will also work.

    Ivermectin

    • Ivermectin is the most commonly employed treatment option by veterinarians. It can be applied by injection or topically in the ear canals. Clinical trials have proved this treatment to be the most effective at eliminating ear mites. This medication contains a pyrethin insecticide, and it is important to recognize that ear products without an insecticide will not kill the mites.

    Precautions

    • Ivermectin is not currently FDA-approved for treating ear mites in cats. Furthermore, it should only be administered by a competent veterinarian, as the correct dosages are extremely small (i.e., micrograms) and are not proportional to the dosages used in treating cattle.

    Flea Control Products

    • Some veterinarians use flea control products like Fipronil (Frontline) and selamectin (Revolution) to treat ear mites. These products kill any mites that might be around and could possibly infect the cat. Plus, when ear mites live outside of the ears, any flea product will kill them.

    Treatment Tips

    • The ears will typically have to be treated for two to four weeks until all the mites are killed, depending on the medication. Also, due to the fact that ear mites have the potential to live outside of the ear all over the body, it is crucial to treat areas like the feet and tail. When a cat is sleeping, the tail is often curled around its body and lies in close proximity to the ear. As mentioned beforehand, most flea and tick control products, which often come in the form of sprays and shampoos, will be effective at combating ear mites.