If a cat is infected with ear mites, the first thing the owner should do is not to be impatient. Ear mites are an extremely common parasitic disease in cats. Many cats have the experience of getting ear mites in their lives. We often hear that Ear mites can cause itchy ears of pets. When bacterial infection occurs, they can cause otitis and otitis media, and even develop into encephalitis. In fact, as long as we handle it properly and give cats timely treatment, ear mites are not that scary.

The male worms with itchy ears are 0.32 to 0.35 mm long, and the female worms are 0.43 to 0.48 mm long. It has 4 pairs of legs and is an arthropod with incomplete metamorphosis. Ear itch mites live on the surface of the cat's ear canal skin and do not enter the inner layer of the skin. They have a tough horny epidermis and are highly resistant. It sucks lymph fluid and skin cells and lives on tissue residue and tissue nourishment. It can survive for more than 2 months under the conditions of 6~8℃ and air humidity of 85%~100%. The development process includes four stages: egg, larvae, nymph and adult. In the treatment of ear mites, you need to use ear cleaning water specially designed for pets to thoroughly clean the ear canal, and then instill the ear mite-killing liquid for treatment. The steps for cleaning the ear canal and using the ear drops are as follows:

1. Obtain medicines.

Once the veterinarian makes a diagnosis and confirms that the cat’s eardrum is intact, he or she will prescribe ear drops that are safe for the cat and effective in killing ear mites. Over-the-counter mite treatments are available at many pet stores, but they are often not very effective and can be harmful to your cat. It is recommended to only use solutions recommended by your veterinarian.

　2. Read the tags.

Read the directions on the label carefully to see how often you should use the ear drops. The frequency and dosage of each drug vary, but generally it may be used once a day for 7 to 10 consecutive days.

　3. Prepare everything.

Before giving your cat medication, place everything you need on a table or other flat surface. Place a large towel on the table to prevent your cat from slipping. In addition, you must prepare ear drops and a few cotton balls. If possible, find a friend to help hold the cat so that you have both hands free to use the ear drops.

4. Clean the cat’s ears.

You may need to clean your cat’s ears before applying the medication. It's best to ask your veterinarian first if this is necessary. Purchase ear cleaning products that are safe for cats and follow the instructions that come with them. Ear mites may be surrounded by large amounts of earwax, making it impossible for ear drops to reach them.

Key points for ear cleaning: First pour the ear cleaning water into the ear canal, then lift the ear with one hand to prevent the ear cleaning water from flowing out, and massage the ear canal with the other hand to allow the ear cleaning water and earwax to fully act. Then use hemostatic forceps and absorbent cotton to clean the ear canal, which can be repeated several times. Then instill therapeutic ear drops and massageEars, the method and gesture of instilling are the same as the method of instilling ear cleaning water. ​​​​​​

5. Use ear drops.

Place the cat on the table with its head facing you, and have a helper gently press on the cat's shoulders to prevent it from moving. Open the cap of the dropper bottle and drop the required dose into the cat's ear canal. Gently rub your cat's ears with your fingers and thumbs to help the ear drops mix with the waxy secretions and penetrate into the ear canal. If the cat resists, you can wrap the cat tightly in a bath towel to prevent it from moving.

6. Wipe the ears.

Use a cotton ball to wipe off the fallen earwax. Do not push the cotton ball into the ear canal. When wiping your cat's ears, if the cat moves, it's easy to accidentally push the cotton ball too far in, possibly causing harm to the cat.

7. Repeat the above steps as directed.

Repeat the above steps daily for the number of days directed by your veterinarian. If your cat still has symptoms of irritation after the course of treatment, it is best to take her to the veterinarian for further help. If your cat starts to tilt its head during treatment, stop treatment immediately and contact your veterinarian. Some cats are allergic to the active ingredients in ear drops. After using the medicine, even if the eardrum is intact, the sense of balance will still be affected. If this occurs, notify your veterinarian immediately.

Notes:

Remember to wash your hands before wrapping the cotton, otherwise bacteria will enter the ear canal with the cotton and cause inflammation. Just moisten the absorbent cotton. Don't make it saturated with water, otherwise it will be bad if it drips. Because the ear canal is not easy to ventilate, excess water will not easily dry inside, which may cause otitis media over time.