Ear lice, or Otodectes cynotis, are microscopic parasites that can infect a cat's ear. They like to live in the warm and dark areas of the ear canal, where they can feed on flakes of skin. These fleas cause irritation and itching, which makes cats scratch their ears. This scratching can cause problems such as skin infections or swollen ear plugs, which require veterinary care. Catching and treating ear fleas quickly can avoid future problems and ensure a healthy and happy cat.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Determining If Your Cat Has Ear Lice
Step 1. Watch for excess cerumen
Ear lice stimulate the lining of the ear canal to produce excess cerumen. This cerumen is usually dark brown/black in color, and can sometimes look like soft wax in the ear.
- A cat with healthy ears will have a small amount of earwax. If you notice something resembling coffee grounds or black spots of wax in your ears, this is a sign of a possible ear health problem.
- Cat ears produce cerumen as a defense against the effects of microbial attack.
- You can also smell a foul odor coming from the ear.
Step 2. Watch for any scratching or shaking
Ear lice are irritating, and cats will often scratch their ears repeatedly with their hind paws and/or shake their heads frequently.
- Cat claws can damage the surface of the skin, causing additional pain, bleeding, and bacterial infection in some cases.
- A cat who has had ear lice for a long time can have inflammatory polyps (i.e. lumps or enlargements) in their ear canals, and bleeding bubbles in their earlobe from constant rubbing and scratching.
- The outer ear can also become inflamed and festering, the cat's eardrum can tear, causing balance problems and other problems that require professional veterinary assistance.
Step 3. Observe the cat's posture
A cat with ear lice will often tilt his head to one side. This is a common sign of ear discomfort and is not limited to ear lice.
Whatever the cause, if your cat frequently tilts its head to one side, you should take it for a vet check
Step 4. Check your other pets
If you have more than one pet and suspect one of them has ear lice, have all their ears checked. This is because ear lice spread very easily when animals sleep or are cared for together.
- If you're only treating an infected animal, your other pet may have parasites but show no signs, and could be a reservoir for re-infection.
- If one pet has ear mites you will usually need to treat all the pets in your household to get rid of the infection.
Step 5. Take your cat to the vet
If you see any of the above signs, you should take your cat to a veterinarian for examination. The vet will use several techniques to diagnose your cat's problem.
- The veterinarian will examine the ear canal using an auroscope, which is a device that resembles a flashlight with a magnifying glass that is used to see deep into the ear canal. Veterinarians can immediately spot the tiny, white ear fleas as they rush away from the auroscope light.
- Some vets will take a sample of ear wax on a cotton ball, and smear the wax on a microscope slide. Ear lice will be clearly visible under a microscope.
- The vet will also make sure the eardrum is intact before starting treatment. This is because the eardrum acts as a barrier to prevent ear drops from entering the middle ear, which can affect the cat's balance.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Cats With Ear Drops
Step 1. Treat your cat
Once the vet has made a diagnosis and confirmed that the eardrum is intact, he or she will prescribe ear drops that are safe for cats and effective for killing ear fleas.
Many pet stores sell direct flea treatments, but these treatments are usually less effective and can be harmful to your cat. You should only use the treatment recommended by your veterinarian
Step 2. Read the label
Read the label carefully for instructions on how often you should apply ear drops. The frequency of treatment and the number of drops given depend on the medication provided, but are usually instilled once a day for seven to ten days.
Step 3. Prepare everything
Before treating your cat, prepare all the tools you will need on a table or other flat surface.
- This includes a large towel to lay on the table to prevent the cat from slipping, ear drops, and some cotton balls.
- If possible, enlist the help of a friend to hold your cat so you can drip ear drops easily.
Step 4. Clean the cat's ears
Before giving treatment, you need to clean your cat's ears. It's a good idea to check with your vet before using ear drops.
- Purchase an ear cleaning product that has been declared safe for cats, and follow the included instructions.
- If there is an excessive amount of cerumen, it can become a cocoon for ear lice that protects them from ear drops.
Step 5. Apply ear drops
Place the cat on the table with its head facing you, and have your assistant gently hold your cat's shoulders to make it stop moving. Remove the top of the dropper bottle and inject the required amount into the cat's ear canal.
- Gently massage the ear using your fingers and thumb, this helps the drops mix with the waxy discharge and spread deeper into the ear canal.
- If your cat resists being put on medication, you can wrap the cat tightly in a bath towel to immobilize it.
Step 6. Wipe the cat's ears
Use a cotton ball to remove any wax that has risen to the surface.
Do not push the cotton ball into the ear canal. If the cat moves during this step, it is very possible to accidentally push the cotton swab too deep, and this could hurt your cat
Step 7. Repeat as recommended
Repeat daily according to the number of days prescribed. If your cat is still showing signs of irritation at the end of the treatment, take your cat back to the vet for additional help.
- Stop treatment and contact your veterinarian if your cat experiences a head tilt during the time of treatment.
- Some cats are sensitive to the active ingredients used in ear drops and may experience balance problems as a result of the medication, even if their eardrums are intact. If this happens, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Re-Infection
Step 1. Give salamectin to all cats
Selamectin is a very powerful parasite controller available for cats and dogs. Selamectin helps prevent infestations by mites, fleas, liver flukes, and some intestinal parasites. If you have several cats, give all cats a warm parasite treatment based on a salamectin, such as Revolution (or Stronghold, in the UK).
- Selamectin will prevent your cat from being re-infected, and will prevent other cats you keep from picking up the parasite.
- Selamectin is administered on the back of the cat's neck. Never put it on the ear.
Step 2. Take the dog to the vet
Selamectin treatment is not licensed to treat fleas in dog ears. If you have a dog infected with ear fleas from your cat, take your dog to the vet for preventive measures.
Step 3. Protect your cat's paws
Spray your cat's back paws with fipronil, a warm medicine that kills fleas and other parasites. This treatment can kill fleas immediately caught in the cat's fur due to scratching.
- It also prevents reinfection when the cat scratches a freshly cleaned ear with claws where fleas may still be present.
- Fipronil can be found in many drugs such as Frontline, Effipro, Barricade, and EasySpot. Ask your veterinarian which treatment they recommend and where to get the product.
Tips
- Don't worry, cat ear fleas can't live in human ears.
- You can also treat your cat's ear mites by using a warm treatment based on salamectin, as described above to prevent reinfection. After application to the skin, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to the ear canal, where it kills ear lice that feed on skin debris. One use is enough to get rid of ear lice infection. This method is practical, but treatment with ear drops is also necessary, because these drugs contain anti-inflammatory and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
Warning
- Ear lice infection can become serious if not treated immediately, the infection causes damage to the ear canal and eardrum. Ear lice are highly contagious and can be spread from cat to cat or cat to dog and vice versa, so treating all your pets at the same time is important.
- Immediate treatment is generally ineffective and can be harmful to your cat, potentially causing severe nerve damage.
