Ear lice are parasites and if left unchecked can make cat ears become infected and inflamed. Serious cases can result in hearing loss, rupture of the eardrum, and even infestation of lice to other parts of the body. Cats that live indoors and outdoors are equally at risk of getting ear lice. Homes with lots of pets are the most prone to ear fleas because fleas can be spread from one animal to another. Prevention and treatment begins with learning how to check for ear fleas in cats.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Taking Initial Action
Step 1. Know the risk factors for ear lice
Since the symptoms of ear lice can mimic other diseases in animals, it is important to recognize the risk factors. That way, you'll know if your cat is at high risk of getting ear fleas.
- Ear lice are crab-like parasites that can live inside a cat's ear. These fleas are very common and are usually the main cause of inflamed or irritated cat ears.
- Ear lice are very contagious. Most cats get it from other cats. If you have a cat that lives outdoors or has recently brought a new cat into your home, your risk of ear fleas is higher. Cats can also get fleas when they are placed in a daycare facility, but this is rare. Some daycare businesses will check for ear lice before accepting a cat for hospitalization.
- Ear lice can affect cats at any age, but are more common in kittens and young cats. Kittens' immunity is generally weaker. So, ear fleas prefer kittens to healthier adult cats.
Step 2. Watch for symptoms of ear lice
Know the symptoms that indicate an ear lice problem.
- Cats seem bothered by their ears, scratching and picking at them. Cats can also often shake their heads, causing their fur to fall out.
- An increased amount of earwax or hard black discharge from the ears are signs of ear lice.
- Skin lesions or sores can be seen around the ear from excessive scratching.
Step 3. Be on the lookout for other conditions similar to ear lice
Ear lice resemble other ear diseases in cats. Know the possibilities and discuss them with your veterinarian when you bring your cat to the clinic for examination.
- Fungal infections can sometimes result in black discharge from the cat's ears.
- Hypothyroidism can cause inflammation and discharge around the ear.
- Allergies, especially food allergies, can cause the same symptoms as ear lice.
Method 2 of 3: Confirming the Presence of Ear Lice
Step 1. Examine the cat's ears
Before taking your cat to the vet, check his ears at home. The more information you can give your doctor, the better. It's not recommended that you self-diagnose, but it's a good idea to have an early check-up for symptoms.
- Earwax in a cat infected with fleas is abundant and dark in color.
- Often there are scabs near the base of the ear due to excessive scratching.
- It could be that the cat is sensitive when its ears are touched because it feels uncomfortable. Ask a friend or family member to help hold the cat while you turn its ear to look inside.
Step 2. Visit the vet
To get a definite diagnosis, you should visit a veterinarian. This is to prevent misdiagnosis of cat fleas, which is common due to other conditions that have the same symptoms. In addition, your veterinarian can also provide you with treatment options.
- Diagnosing cat fleas is easy for veterinarians and can usually be done with a routine, noninvasive physical exam.
- The vet will use an otoscope, which is an instrument that examines and enlarges the ear, and looks at its internal structures under light. Usually, if ear fleas are the cause of your cat's symptoms, the doctor can spot them.
- If the doctor doesn't see fleas, that doesn't mean the cat doesn't have fleas. Perhaps the doctor will perform an ear swab and examine it under a microscope to confirm the presence of lice.
Step 3. Watch for complications
Ear lice are usually harmless, but can sometimes lead to complications if not treated properly or promptly. Be aware of various complications of ear lice.
- Ear lice can lead to infection if not treated immediately. A cat's ear canal can be affected, which in turn can permanently damage the cat's hearing.
- If the cat scratches around its ears excessively, this can result in ruptured blood vessels that must be repaired surgically.
- For this reason, self-diagnosis and home remedies are not recommended for cats suffering from ear lice. After observing the symptoms and examining the cat's ears, visit the vet immediately.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Future Outbreaks
Step 1. Treat your cat from ear fleas
Follow the vet's instructions, treat ear fleas in cats to cure the problem.
- Never treat ear lice without a veterinarian's diagnosis first. Anti-lice solutions can easily irritate or worsen an ailment whose symptoms are similar to ear lice.
- Regular and thorough ear cleaning is necessary to cure ear lice. Commercial cleaners are usually used to clean the ear of wax, followed by cleaning the ear using a doctor-prescribed ointment.
- The cat's tail should also be clean because cats often curl their tails while sleeping. This means that the eggs and lice can spread to fur all over the body.
- Ointments and pesticides prescribed by a doctor should be used for 7 - 10 days after the infestation. If you have other pets in the house, clean their ears too, as ear lice may have spread.
- Cats are sometimes difficult to medicate. Ask a friend to help you if your cat won't be treated.
Step 2. Avoid the previous mistakes
Limit your cat's interactions with places and situations where she can be exposed to cat fleas.
- If you have a cat that lives outdoors, consider keeping it indoors if your cat is prone to ear fleas. However, outdoor cats are difficult to keep indoors because they are used to coming and going as they please.
- If your cat has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), she should not be allowed to leave the house. A weakened immune system will make your cat more susceptible to ear fleas. The spread of FIV can also be prevented by limiting the cat's exposure to other foreign cats.
- Be careful with animal shelters and pet stores, where ear lice outbreaks are common. Check all kittens and adult cats for signs of ear fleas before releasing them into the home.
Step 3. Wash cat bedding and toys
Items that cats use frequently should be washed after a flea outbreak occurs.
Tips
Check your cat for ear lice frequently. Ear lice reproduce very quickly after occupying the ear. It will be easier to treat the cat when the diagnosis is still early
Warning
- Other cats-even dogs-can catch ear lice from an infected animal. Check all pets if you suspect one of them has ear lice.
- Some cats show no obvious signs of ear lice. Investigate if you suspect ear fleas even if the cat shows no problem.
- DO NOT apply peroxide or any insect killer to the inside or outside of a cat's ears.
