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Would you believe this very cute kitten with Dr McGill had ear mites? Ear mites are small eight legged parasites that live in cats ears. Usually that are transmitted when the kittens are nursing from their mother or between cats in shelters or close environments. The mites crawl from their mother's ears into the kittens ears when they are nursing. If one kitten is diagnosed with ear mites it is highly likely that all of the kittens and mother cat have ear mites. The mites feed on wax in the canal and cause irritation and discomfort. The mites will allow secondary bacterial and yeast infections to occur. When the infection becomes severe a coffee ground discharge becomes noticeable. |
| A swab of collected debris under the microscope allows us to visualize the mites for a diagnosis and to know if yeast and baceterial infections are present as well. Treatment of the ear mites involves removal of the debris that the mites colonize. |
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The debris allows the ear mites to hide away from the medication. The medication that is prescribed is dependent on what is identified under the microscope, and all cats in the household should be treated. The good news is with appropriate medication the prognosis is excellent to permanently cure these parasites. To have a very up close image of the mites in action make the attached video full screen. You will make sure your cats ears are always clean! Dr. Elizabeth McGill |
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