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Ear mites are a very common problem for domestic cats and dogs. They spread easily, as they can travel from one animal to the next simply from contact. The ear mite, Otodectes cynotis, lives around the ear canal and can also spread outside the ear and into the environment. Generally, ear mites are irritating though not life-threatening. However, if not treated properly they can lead to serious problems.
The ear mite life cycle takes an average of twenty one days from egg to adult, and consists of four stages. The first stage is the egg. A female ear mite will lay five eggs per day, and these eggs will hatch within four days. Once hatched, the mites enter the larval stage. In this stage, they will feed for four days and then rest for one to molt into the nymph stage. The nymphs go through two stages: each stage requiring three to five days of feeding before molting in to the final stage. The fourth and final stage is adulthood, which feed on the debris and oils from the ear lining of the cat or dog. This feeding causes irritation within the ear, which builds up a debris of mite waste, dead tissue and fluid. If this debris builds up (if the ear mites are not treated), it can create bacterial infections which will further stress the animal. If left untreated, thousands of ear mites will take over the ear and eventually penetrate the ear drum. This can cause serious damage to the pet’s middle ear, and will cause them to have problems with balance and physical orientation.
Some symptoms of ear mite infection are head shaking, scratching the ears and discharge in the ears which resemble coffee grounds. The best way to confirm an ear mite infestation is to take your animal to the veterinarian so they may examine the ear and ear discharge.
Luckily, treatment has become easier, as effective medications have been developed. The most commonly prescribed medication is ACAREXX, which has been proven to be 94% effective for killing all ear mites within 7 to 10 days. It is important to schedule a follow up appointment with your veterinarian to ensure that the ear mites have been removed completely.
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