Ear Mites in Dogs and Cats

Otodectes Mites: Parasites Which Infect the Ears and Skin of Pets

Apr 20, 2009

Ear mites are one of the most commonly seen external parasites and are quite often the cause of reddened, inflamed or swollen ears in both dogs and cats.

Ear mites are parasites which infect the ear canal of dogs and cats. These parasites can also live on the skin of infected pets. Also known as Otodectes cynotis, ear mites are tiny bugs which can be present in large numbers in infected dogs and cats.

How do Dogs and Cats Become Infected with Ear Mites?

Dogs and cats can get ear mites from coming into contact with other dogs or cats who have them. Ear mites are fairly easily passed from animal to animal and because of their contagious nature, it is advisable to check and treat the ears of all pets in a household when treating pets for ear mites.

While ear mites are much more common in cats, they are seen and diagnosed in dogs as well

How are Ear Mites Diagnosed in Dogs and Cats?

If your dog or cat is scratching at his head or has inflamed or reddened ear canals, your pet should be examined by a veterinarian. While ear mites are a common cause of infections in the ears of dogs and cats, there are many other yeast and bacteria that can infect the ears, along with many other causes of inflammation in the ear canals.

Your veterinarian will likely suspect that your dog or cat is infected with ear mites based on the physical appearance of the ear and the presence of the characteristic black discharge in the ear canals. However, it may be necessary for your veterinarian to examine a sample of debris taken from your dog or cat's ears microscopically in order to verify an ear mite infection.

Symptoms of Ear Mites in Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats infected with ear mites usually have a black discharge present in the ear canals which resemble coffee grounds.

Other symptoms which may be seen with ear mites are reddened or inflamed ear canals and occasionally swollen ears.

Dogs and cats infected with ear mites will often be noticed shaking the head or scratching at the ears. Scabs and hair loss around the neck and ears may be present as well and are a result of the pet scratching at the ears.

Ear mites can also live on the skin outside of the ears, which can result in itchiness and scabs on the neck, lower back or tail area of the infected dog or cat.

How are Ear Mites Treated in Dogs and Cats

There are several medications available to treat ear mites. Cleaning the ears of debris before treatment with any medication is helpful and may hasten the resolution of an ear mite infection.

If the ear mite infection is severe, it may also be necessary to use a topical otic medication inside of the ear canals to soothe the skin inside of the ear canals and reduce the inflammation.

How Dangerous are Ear Mites for Dogs and Cats?

Ear mites are quite irritating and sometimes even painful for infected dogs and cats, but they are seldom life threatening.

Are Ear Mites Contagious to People?

Though ear mites are easily transmissible from one pet to another, there is little evidence that they are a threat to people.

The copyright of the article Ear Mites in Dogs and Cats in Pet Diseases is owned by Lorie Huston. Permission to republish Ear Mites in Dogs and Cats in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.