Ear mites are tiny organisms called otodectes cynotis that can live in a cat or dog's ear canal. The mites feed off of the tissue debris found in the ear canal, and in doing so cause irritation in the ear. Pet Center and the National Pet Pharmacy indicate ear mites are one of the most common veterinary conditions in cats, and they can occur in dogs as well. Since mites can cause serious damage to the ears, pet owners need to know how to check for potential ear mite infestations, so they can seek treatment for their animal companions.
Things You'll Need
- Flashlight
Instructions
How to Detect Ear Mites
Watch your pet for excess scratching at its ears. Scratching can indicate other problems, but is the primary symptom of ear mites.
Smell the ear. Ear mites cause an unpleasant odor.
Check cats by briskly rubbing the ear canal. Infected cats will make scratching movements with their back legs when, whereas cats without mites will not.
Notice if your cat or dog is shaking its head frequently, particularly when it is trying to sleep.
Look at any other pets in the home for signs of ear mites, which are highly contagious. Other ear problems are less contagious.
Use the flashlight to check the ear for discharge or increased earwax production. The discharge from dog and cat ear mites is thick, red or black, and crusted.
Take your pet to the vet to have the ear discharge examined under the microscope to detect the presence of ear mites and rule out another type of ear infection.