Cat's Diseases

Ear Mites

Otodectes spp are the causative agent involved. It is a small mite which can be seen with the naked eye and is spread from cat to cat by close contact. It causes a severely itchy ear condition and is the cause of approximately fifty percent of ear infections in cats. Diagnosis is made by either direct observation of the mite in the ear canal or with microscopic examination and multiple treatments in the form of ear drops are available which will kill the mites. Owing to the damage that the mites do to the tissue in the ear secondary infections with bacteria and yeast are often seen.