Cat moss and ear mites are by far the most asked and common questions that bother owners. These two problems have in common that they are easily contagious, easy to relapse, and closely related to the environment. The process of treatment always makes the owners feel a sense of despair that "the wildfire will not burn out, but the spring breeze will blow it again". We have discussed the prevention and treatment of cat moss in previous articles, and today we will discuss the treatment of ear mites in detail.

What are ear mites:

The most common cause of ear mites is a parasite called Otodectes Cynotis. Up to 90% of cats who get ear mites are infected with this parasite. This is a surface parasite that almost exclusively infects pets, usually cats, and mainly in the cat’s ear canal.

The development of ear itch mites goes through four stages: egg, larvae, nymph, and adult. At a relative humidity of 80% and a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, ear itch mites can even survive for several months. Their journey from egg to adult lasts approximately 21 days, and during these three weeks they transform from an egg into an adult worm capable of laying eggs. So if you want to completely eliminate ear mites, the treatment cycle must cover their entire life cycle to ensure complete eradication.

How to tell if a cat has ear mites?

When a cat has the following symptoms, we should consider whether there are ear mite parasites in the cat’s ear canal:

1. Cats often shake their heads or shake their heads violently

2. Cats scratch their ears frequently

3. Hair loss around the ears

4. A large amount of oil secretion and lymph leakage

5. Severe cases of redness, swelling and bleeding in the external auditory canal

Occasionally, ear itch mites can spread to other areas, causing itching, papules, and crusty rashes, especially on the neck, buttocks, or tail. When the above symptoms appear, please check whether there are some black or dark brown debris-like objects in your cat’s ear canal. (Because the picture may cause discomfort, the case is not included for the time being)

Note: If there is only dark brown or black discharge, it does not necessarily mean that you have ear mites. Ear mites can make cats extremely itchy. Cats with ear mites will definitely be accompanied by a series of constant scratching movements. At least a combination of these two symptoms can initially determine that the cat has ear mites.

The above can be used as a basic self-diagnosis. If the symptoms are not obvious or cannot be determined, please seek help from your veterinarian in time. Most pet hospitals now use microscopic examination of cat ear canal secretions for screening., if there are ear mites in the cat’s ear canal, the mites can be clearly seen under a microscope.

Treatment methods for ear mites:

Now that we know that ear mites are caused by the presence of mites in the ear canal, then killing all these mites is the next thing we have to do;

1. Use imported anthelmintics: Da Chong Ai, Ai Walker, etc.

How to use: Use for two consecutive months, once a week in the first month, and once every half a month thereafter.

2. Ear cleaning solution (not suitable for patients with otitis), normal saline (economical and affordable)

How to use: Pour ear cleaning solution or saline solution into the ear and gently rub the root of the ear, gently remove the dirt with a cotton swab or wipe it gently with a cotton ball, 1-2 times a day. Do not pick out the cat's ears too hard or use metal tools (such as tweezers, etc.) to penetrate into the ear canal, as this may cause injury to the cat's ear canal.

3. Here I would like to introduce to you a natural therapy from Dr. Andrew Jones:

Dr. Andrew Jones graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1992 and has been dedicated to small animal medicine and has treated thousands of animals. He has a strong interest in non-traditional treatments for pets and has published several books on pet health.

· Ingredients that need to be prepared: olive oil (mild and non-irritating), pure calendula oil (calendula has a good anti-inflammatory and soothing effect), and a medication bottle

· Preparation method: Put 140ml of olive oil and two droppers of calendula oil (about 2ml) into a medication bottle and mix. (Note: The mixture needs to be protected from light.)

· How to use: Similar to the method of using ear cleaning solution, pour an appropriate amount of the mixture into the ear canal and gently rub it from top to bottom 3. 3. Rub the base of the ear to ensure even distribution of the drug. Then take a cotton swab and gently pull out the dirt. Do not push the cotton swab roughly into the cat's ear canal. Finally, wipe it clean with a cotton ball or cotton swab.

· Frequency of use: Use twice a day, use for 7 consecutive days, stop using for 7 days, and then continue to use for 7 days. Doing this can not only achieve a basic cleaning effect, but also because the oil itself will cover and encapsulate the ear mites, many ear mites will die as a result.

Some doctors will use ivermectin for treatment, but this drug is not clinically allowed for use in cats, so please use it with caution. It is recommended that all owners prepare a large and soft blanket or towel. When cleaning the cat's ear canal, wrap the cat's limbs first, so that only one of the cat's heads is exposed before cleaning. This can effectively prevent the cat from getting stuck. They were beaten by the cat’s cruel little clawsaccidental injury.

Preventive measures for ear mites:

Ear mites occasionally parasitize humans, but humans are not easily infected by this parasite unless the parasite directly enters your ears. Animals can also be infected through close contact. When a cat has ear mites, the home must be thoroughly sterilized and disinfected. If it is a cattery or a multi-cat household, joint treatment or isolation of cats should be carried out according to the actual situation. Regular deworming of cats is also a good way to prevent cats from being infected with parasites.

Daily cleaning precautions for ears:

Healthy cat ears generally don’t have too much earwax. 1-2 cleanings every month is enough depending on the condition of the cat’s ears. Frequent cleaning may cause inflammation of the cat’s ears, and the cat will also be very resistant.

Daily cleaning method: Wet a cotton pad with ear cleaning solution or saline solution, and gently wipe away the earwax that can be seen within sight. Do not deliberately insert cotton swabs into the cat's ear canal to clean. Improper operation may push dirt deeper into the ear canal, causing damage to the cat's ear canal.

It is recommended that every poop scraper should keep saline solution at home. It is not only economical and affordable, but also has a basic cleaning effect. It is also the most non-irritating all-purpose cleaning product for cats. Normal eye secretions can also be wiped away gently with a cotton pad moistened with saline.

Ear mites are not a stubborn disease. Compared with many ailments that cannot be cured, as long as ear mites are treated with the right medicine and adhere to the medication, obvious results will be seen soon.