We have an 8 week old kitten who was diagnosed as having ear mites when we took her to the vet. My wife is worried that these can transfer over to humans. Is this possible?
2007-12-11 01:29:57 · 12 answers · asked by slıɐuǝoʇ 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Well, I'm not saying it isn't possible but > over 50 years and knowing and owning countless dogs and cats and owners I can honestly say I've never heard of it! I've never even had one cat transfer it to another or to a dog and vice versa.
Your main problem is going to be getting the kitten to accept the ear-drops and having it's ears cleaned! Just normal hygeine, getting rid of any wipe used and washing your hands afterwards should prevent possible cross infection. The Cat lying near your head and passing them on is yet another old wives tale!
My vet told me years ago the only way another cat will get them is if it grooms the one with them!
2007-12-11 02:19:59 · answer #1 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your cat is scratching its ears regularly this could be the first sign of an ear mite infection. They will often shake their heads and will hold their heads at an angle and will have a brown or black, crumbly, ‘coffee ground’ discharge in their ears and possibly an offensive smell will come from the ears too. Ear mites are extremely contagious to other pets but not humans. They are very common, but still serious and if they're left untreated, can severely damage the ear canals and eardrum and can cause permanent hearing loss. Depending upon the medication used, the ears may need to be treated two to four weeks until all mites are killed. Ear mites live all over the body, including the feet and tail. These areas should also be treated. Most products designed for fleas and ticks such as sprays, dips, and shampoos, which contain pyrethrin will be effective. It's best to use a good quality product from the vets and only approved for use on cats although Pet Alive is an excellent product and like you, I sometimes prefer the Holistic approach to healing. Be sure to treat around the tail area too as when the cat sleeps, the tail is often curled up around the ears. Because mites are very easily transferred between pets, it is best if all pets in the household receive simultaneous treatment. Most types of mites don't survive long off the pets, so the treatment of the house and yard is usually not necessary. For the kittens, wait until they're a month old and use a very dilluted mixture for them. As there is going to be a time delay here beause of the treatment will possibly have to be applied several times. Please becareful when cleaning your cats ears. Use a soft cloth or cotton ball, never a cotton tip.
2016-04-08 08:10:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 3 cats had ear mites and one sleeps in my bed near my head and I have never gotten any! Some say you can get it but I don't believe that!
2007-12-11 03:59:45 · answer #3 · answered by CTU 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer is YES, but unlikely.
The mites are minute, tiny and battle to travel distances, but the Truth is that I would defiantly work on "curing" the mites, keeping the kitten way from you bedding for a while.
You can still play and cuddle it, but bedding is the easiest way for mites to spread.
2007-12-11 03:20:26 · answer #4 · answered by Skink 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My dogs have had ear mites (one suffers alot with them) and sleep on my bed - we have NEVER had a problem with them transferring. In fact my vet told me it couldnt happen xxxxxxxx
2007-12-11 01:45:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've never seen it happen. But then, I've always been careful to wash my hands after handling a cat who is sick or has mites too.
2007-12-11 02:01:03 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, and thank God for that. Can you imagine trying to sleep with bugs crawling around inside your head? Just remember to clean the ears thoroughly BEFORE treatment and treat long enough and it should be easy to rid your pet of these common pests.
2007-12-11 05:24:45 · answer #7 · answered by rascal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty unlikely. But, if you have other animals I would ask your vet if they should also be brought in for treatment... I think pets can pass it between one another, especially if you have another cat.
BTW, Good luck with eardrops.... my cat just wasnt having it... my boyfriend had to hold him down while I dropped the drops.
2007-12-11 02:09:47 · answer #8 · answered by melissa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My friends kitten had the same thing Elvis.The vet told her it can happen but its highly unlikely.Tell your wife not to worry.
2007-12-11 01:34:58 · answer #9 · answered by bella 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ear mites are not zoonotic so - No they cannot be transferred to humans.
hope this helps!
2007-12-11 04:51:55 · answer #10 · answered by ANNA W 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋