Ear mite control in a multiple cat household?

Question

Having a problem getting controle of an ear mite problem, seems like when get one cat cleared up another one gets them and so on and so on.
Does the carpeting and furniture need to be treated?
What are some good alternative treatments for the cat instead of using the medication that has a pestacide included that won't drive the cat up a wall,
My guys are scratching their ears to the point that there starting to get sores on the back of them.

Answer 1

Poor kitties. The best results will be from a miticide that you obtain from your vet for this pupose---it DOES contain a pesticide, but it's the only thing that will reliably work.
Ear mites are spread through close contact, so I'd confine any kitty(s) showing symptoms to one room of the house while they are under treatment---usually for about a week.
It's not necessary to treat your furniture or carpets, as the mites can't live outside the animal's ear canal. I suspect you're not using an effective miticide. Get one from your vet's office (not the pet store) that WORKS, and you should be able to get the situation under control.

Answer 2

There's a product called Revolution which will both treat and prevent ear mites in cats. It is only available from a vet, or on-line with a prescription from your vet. It also kills fleas, prevents fleas from reproducing, kills some ticks and prevents some intestinal parasites. It is a liquid applied to the skin at the scruff of the neck once a month - a little on the expensive side. Ask your vet if you are interested - I'm not sure if it is considered a pesticide.

Answer 3

http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/ear_mites.html
f your pet is suffering from ear mites they will likely be constantly shaking their heads and scratching at their ears to rid themselves of the nasty pests and endless irritation. Telltale signs of the problem can be seen if you actually look into the ear itself. The ear may appear red and inflamed from all the scratching and although you will not see the mite culprit, there will be indications that it exists. You may notice a build up of wax within the ear as well as numerous black specks (likely spots of dried blood). In those cases where the ear mites have not been treated immediately or effectively, the mites will actually move down into the ear canal and cause an infection of the middle ear. This means that the animal may appear to be off balance and might be unable to hold its head up straight.

The first step in helping your pet is to clean out the ear and try to relieve some of the discomfort. Use an eyedropper or syringe (without the needle) to insert some Vegetable or Olive Oil into the ear canal. While keeping your pets head still (as they will want to immediately shake the substance out) massage the ear thoroughly to loosen any deeply impacted mite dirt (you may be able to gently squeeze some of it up and out of the ear). Use cotton balls to clean the ears and only attempt to use q-tips very carefully being sure not to allow them to enter portions of the deeper ear canal. In order to relieve irritation caused by the mites, use a natural treatment of Psorinum or Sulphur.

In order to actually kill the mites there are a couple of natural remedies that you can make at home. The first one is a mixture of 9 drops of Yellow Dock Root Extract and 1 tablespoon of water. Use an eyedropper to insert the treatment into the pet’s ear, being sure to massage it well prior to the animal having the opportunity to shake it out. Administer the treatment once every three days for a period of six weeks.

The second treatment mixes ½ an ounce of Almond Oil with 400 IU’s of Vitamin E. Warm up the mixture to body temperature and apply ½ an eyedropper into each affected ear. Massage the mixture around in the ear and remove the excess with cotton balls. Administer the treatment for a period of six days, leave it for three days and then repeat.

Answer 4

Treat them all at the same time to eliminate contamination of one to another. Treat even the unaffected cats...Most likely by doing this you will stop it once and for all. I use earmite medicine purchased from the vet, over the counter stuff has not worked well for me.

I'd also make sure to clean their beds and blankets several times during the treatment and once it's been cleared up.

Answer 5

You can get a tube of Frontline and put two drops in each ear. This will take care of the ear mites. Make sure you Get the Frontline from A Vet. You don't need to see the Vet, they sell it over the counter.

Answer 6

Have your vet treat all cats..they will need a first dose to kill adults and a follow up dose two weeks later to kill hatching larvae. After tretment using topical parasite prevention such as revolution(prevents heartworms, fleas, ear mites and intestinal parasites) will prevent reoccurence.

http://www.revolution4cats.com/display.asp?country=US&lang=EN&drug=RV&species=FL&sec=010

Answer 7

I had all three with them at once. The little girl gave the boys it. You have to treat them all at once. If they have them or not. I used peroxide to clean them out first then the meds. The will reinfect each other if not.

Answer 8

Treat all the cats at the same time.