Ear mites... what are they ?

Question

Yuk ! ! !

I took my kitten for her first injection on tuesday, the vet gave her an all over medical, and then said my kitten had got 'ear mites', so she proceeded to wash out her ears very aggressivly, and then put sum canular ear drops in and massaged this in aggressively too, then she rubbed screwed up tissue in the ear and cleaned them.
I was quite alarmed at the vet for puttin my kitten thru this, but didn't say anythin, then she told me she would prescribe the ear drops for the kitten, and for me to carry on doing this procedure every day for five days, but, i wasn't shown what to look out for, in the kittens ears, and i've not once seen her scratching at her head or ears before we visited the vets or after ! ! !
Do you think she 'really' did have ear mites or was i being ripped off by my vet ! !

Answer 1

" Ear mites spread rapidly, and can be transmitted from even brief physical contact with other animals. In pets, ear mites most commonly affect cats and ferrets, and to a lesser extent dogs. Very rarely, humans can also be affected. Infected animals have a large amount of crumbly dark brown material in their ears. On close inspection, tiny white mites can be seen in the debris. Ear mites do not burrow as some mites do but live within the ear canal.

Ear mite infection can be treated topically after removal of debris from the ear. Various antiparasitic medications are available for use in the ears."

Doesn't say if the animal would scratch themself. Maybe you should look in your pets ear for 'crumbly dark brown material'

Answer 2

Well, i thought my cat had ear mites..but he didn't so I might not be an expert but I did research it a little. They are little bugs I suppose. Pretty much look for things like coffee ground in your cats ears. I don't know how many or how much. You can get ear mite medication at any pet store and clean them out with a q-tip (although your cat will hate it) Also, Clean out and wash your cat's food and water bowl becausethey can fall from the ears and re-infect your kitty. As far as the vet goes...I think you can definately see them...but only if your looking for them. Hope this helped.

Answer 3

I dont think your vet was ripping you off at all, but that she was very observant and saving your cat from appalling pain and discomfort. It must be really bad for a kitten- can you imagine what it would be like to have mites hatching inside your ears and crawling about in there??? They can cause great damage, and may even involve having your cat operated on to have part of the ear removed, so follow her instructions to the letter, and save your cat from huge discomfort. I know they dont like their ears done, but all that nasty, smelly brown muck that comes out is mite faeces, not ear wax!!! Dont use pet-shop remedies for this- they dont work, and dont use cotton buds as if they slip they can pierce the cats eardrum. Good old cotton wool and lint from the pharmacy is best. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hard to say if you were ripped off...

What you look for is black spots, build up inside the ears, no need to take cat to vet for this...

If you see black particles, dip a cotton swab in mineral oil, and clean the cats ears with this, 2-3 times a week should clear the problem up....ear mites are not uncommon, especially if your cat is an out door cat...

Answer 5

Almost every kitten has a problem with ear mites...it's impossible for you to tell...but you weren't being ripped off....look for any dirt build up thats usually a good indication that mites will grow there..

Answer 6

I dont think that it was right that your vet wasnt more clear with you about the whole subject. Next time think to ask some questions, or if you couldn't think of any at the time, call and ask. I hope that your vet wasn't trying to rip you off, but I don't think that is very likely. I found a link that may be some help to you, but I still think if you have further questions, call your vet back.

http://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=351

Answer 7

You weren't being ripped off. Sometimes there isn't any sign of scratching. And earmites are parasites that can cause the cartilage to collapse in the ear, deforming it. IT can be as serious as brain damage or death, too. Be happy you caught it in time!

Answer 8

If she does have ear mites her ears will have an odor. My bunny rabbits did and I used baby oil to get rid of them. You could of been ripped off, I can't say.

Answer 9

was ur cat scratching her ears? if she was a lot she probably had ear mites

Answer 10

It would be better to spend this amount on poor human beings.They are suffering a great deal.Please do not mind this.