How to Cure Cat Ear Mites

Ear mites(Otodectes cynotis) are contagious and extremely itchy parasites that can infect cats. Affected cats often shake their heads, paw at their ears and mutilate their faces and ears with their claws. Additionally, they have a characteristic black, gritty discharge in their ear canals . While you can treat very mild cases of ear mites at home, achieving a cure for moderate to severe ear mite infestations requires a prescription treatment from your veterinarian.

If you suspect that your cat has ear mites, your veterinarian can use microscopic examination of an ear swab to confirm the diagnosis. Following this, he or she can decide on an appropriate treatment based on your cat's disposition, the severity of the problem and the presence of secondary infections. After thoroughly cleaning your cat's ears, the veterinarian will prescribe medication to treat the ear mites. Commonly, he or she will select one of the following treatment protocols.

• Use ivermectin at a dose of 0.3 milligrams per kilogram. You should give this medication by mouth or through an injection under the skin once a week for 2-3 weeks to cure the ear mite infection.


• Treat the cat with Revolution (selamectin). You apply this topical medication to the cat's skin between the shoulder blades once per month. In addition to treating ear mites, this medication works to kill adult fleas, prevent the hatching of flea eggs, treat and control hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) and roundworms (Toxocara cati) and prevent heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) disease. A single application is usually sufficient to cure the cat of ear mites.


• Apply a preparation of miticide, mineral oil and antibiotics to the cat's ear canal in order to clean the ear, treat the mites and treat any secondary bacterial infections that the cat may have. You need to apply this medication several times for it to be effective. Your veterinarian will decide how often to treat the cat based on the exact components of the mixture and the severity of the ear mite infestation.