Ear Mites Symptoms

Eat mites can affect several types of pets, most commonly cats and dogs. The microscopic parasites cause discomfort, pain and an itchy feeling if left untreated. Although the ear mites themselves are nearly impossible to see, excess wax production, mite feces and continual rubbing and itching of the ears are symptoms that indicate that a pet may have ear mites.

  1. Features

    • Look into the pets ears. Red, inflamed skin accompanied by excessive black or brown residue is a sign of ear mites. Mites are white or opaque in color and difficult to see with the naked eye. (Veterinarians can test the residue under a microscope to identify the parasites.) Mite feces or excessive wax production will appear as a soft dark residue, often with a foul odor, in the ears.

    Symptoms

    • Rubbing their ears along furniture, on the floor or scratching them with their paws are common symptoms of ear mites in pets. Affected animals also shake their heads often, trying to dislodge the itchy parasites. Mites can spread to the neck, back and tail, causing those areas to itch. Pets may act lethargic and unresponsive to play, treats or other stimuli when they are severely affected by ear mites.

    Life Cycle

    • Ear mites live on a furry pet host during their entire life cycle. Laying eggs inside the ear, and on the surrounding fur is common for female mites. After four days of incubation, the mites hatch, and repopulate the ear. Ear mites can affect pets of any age.

    Misconceptions

    • Ear mites are contagious and can spread to other species of animals. If one pet in the household is infected, others should also be treated as a preventative measure. Ear mites will not go away on their own and need to be addressed to relieve the pet from discomfort in the inner ear canal.

    Treatments

    • Visit a veterinarian to get an accurate diagnosis. Often ear infections resemble ear mite infestations. Clean the ears, then use veterinarian prescribed drops, powders or gel ear mite medications directly in the pet's ears. Follow instructions on the package, or by the vet, for the full term of the treatment. Do not stop treatment early if the pet seems to appear healthy in a few days. Symptoms should begin to subside quickly, with a full recovery in a few weeks as the mite cycle is disrupted by the medication.