Treating ear mites in cats at home. Ear diseases in cats

Otodektos cynotis (ear mite) is the cause of infectious otodectosis in domestic animals (usually cats).

Ear mites constantly bother your cat

By the way. Precautionary measures apply only to “smaller brothers.” It is considered unproven that ear mites in cats can be transmitted to humans.

What kind of ear mite is he?

Nondescript infectious organism 0.2 - 0.7 mm in size, pale yellow in color. This is exactly what the insect looks like when examining earwax under a microscope. Compared to the body, its limbs are quite long. However, without special optics it is impossible to see what ear mites look like in cats.

This is what an ear mite looks like in cats - photo after magnification under a microscope

A dumb animal cannot complain to its owner about its misfortune, but its behavior is more than eloquent. The fact that cats have ticks can be determined by the symptoms:

The more we know about the symptoms of the disease, the clearer it will be how to treat it. ear mite in cats

Methods of healing “little brothers”

Drops

Attention! At complex treatment All animals in the apartment need to know that only cats react painlessly to invermectin drops. Dogs may be intolerant to it. Small animals should not be treated with this remedy either. In order for the cat to behave quietly during the procedure, the instilled liquid must be slightly warmed up.

Ointments/aerosols

A remedy for ear mites in cats can also be in the form of ointments and aerosols. Aversectin ointment with acaricidal action is applied to the ear with a special spatula and is absorbed by gently massaging it. The acaricidal effect is exerted by a cream-like composition based on prednisolone and amitraz “Amit”. They treat the ears, after applying it to a swab, twice a day every 5 days. Treatment of the ears can be carried out by spraying Acaromectin spray evenly over inner surface ear.

Home first aid kit for cats: traditional methods of treatment

1. You can prepare ear mite drops yourself using: bactericidal properties green tea. A tablespoon of plant leaves is poured into a cup of boiling water. Let it brew for 5 minutes, cool, drop it with a pipette into each ear every day for a month.
2. Treatment folk remedies don't let him give it quickly positive result, but it is more gentle for animals. A powerful antiseptic - garlic - as a medicine, you must first infuse it in oil (sunflower, olive, almond) for 24 hours. And only then drop it into your ears once a day.
3. One should not write off the celandine grass that has occupied the surrounding plantings. It is enough to pick the green stems of the plant, leaves, process it in a meat grinder, and squeeze out the juice. Place 2 drops in each ear twice a day.
4. Can be processed once every day internal cavity ears with this composition: alcohol solution iodine (1 part), mixed with glycerin or vegetable oil (4 parts). It is good to lubricate the affected inflamed areas of the skin near the ears with Konkov ointment and sulfur.

The infectious disease otodectosis in cats when infected with ear mites can be very severe. It is important to establish contact with the animal, to “talk” to it in the same language. At the first signs of illness, examination by a veterinarian is necessary. Consistency of treatment, adherence to hygiene rules, and increased immunity of the animal will speed up its recovery.

Every owner wants their pet to be healthy and cheerful, but sometimes the cat starts shaking its head and scratching its ears. These symptoms cause illness auricle. How to help your pet? Let's look at the most common ear diseases in cats.

What are the types of ear diseases in cats?

There are many ear diseases that occur in cats.

They occur after mechanical damage to the auricle and ear canal. Hematomas and lymphatic extravasations often appear after fights. They are a swelling filled with blood (in the first case) or lymph (in the second).

Usually the hematoma and lymphatic extravasation are eliminated surgically.

Scabies mite

This disease is caused by Nothoedres ticks. The main symptom is severe itching and irritation. The disease is diagnosed by scraping the affected area.

Photo. Ear mites in cats

Dermatitis and eczema With dermatitis, the auricle turns red and a rash appears. The cat is suffering from severe itching

and starts scratching his ears, which only makes the situation worse. With dermatitis, hair falls out from the damaged area. The cause of this disease is most often an allergy.

Photo. Dermatitis in a cat

Necrosis of the auricle

Neoplasms in the auricle

Ear neoplasms include polyps, fibromas, papillomas, sarcomas and tumors. They often grow and lead to deafness. With neoplasms, the cat’s gait becomes uncertain and uncoordinated. This disease is treated surgically.

Diseases of the outer and inner ear

Diseases inner ear Difficult to diagnose in cats

The most common are diseases of the inner and outer ear. The first group includes any neoplasms and polyps deep in the ears. Diseases of the inner ear are difficult to diagnose; radiography and cytology are used for this, and in some cases surgery is used.

Although each ear disease has its own symptoms, they can be recognized through common symptoms. These include:

• discharge from the ear (from light purulent to black and loose);
• severe itching: the cat scratches the ear, constantly rubs its head on the furniture;
• bad odor from the ear;
• ulcers, sores, redness and rashes are observed;
• the animal shakes its head and ears;
• V advanced cases When pressing on the auricle, you can hear a squelching sound.

How to treat ear diseases in cats?

For treatment you can use Bars drops

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to conduct an examination and find out what kind of disease the cat is suffering from. If you choose the wrong drug, you can deprive the animal of hearing, so diagnosis is very important.

If your cat is infested with mites, first clean the outer ear with lotion and remove any secretions. Veterinary medicines, Otibiovin, Dekta and others are used for treatment. Place them in the affected ear after cleaning it as directed.

To treat otitis in cats, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and in advanced cases, surgery are used. If you have this disease, you should not clean your ears with cotton swabs. For the treatment of otitis, Anandin, Serco and Otoferonol drops are used.

Hematomas, neoplasms and necrosis should be treated only veterinarian by surgical intervention. If a foreign body gets into the ear, it should be removed immediately so as not to cause severe inflammation.

Prevention of ear diseases

To prevent ear diseases in cats, this is their cleaning.

The main prevention of ear diseases in cats is their regular cleaning using special lotions and preparations.

• To make this procedure quick and painless, use the following algorithm:
• calm the cat and gently wrap it in a strong towel or robe;
• bend the ear and drop the required amount of lotion inside;
• press the ear tip and gently massage the base of the ear;
• after the massage, remove the lotion and possible contamination with a soft cotton swab or a piece of sterile gauze;
• Praise the animal and treat it with its favorite treat.

Veterinarians advise owners to constantly monitor the condition of their cats' ears. Many animals produce a lot of sulfur, which should be cleaned regularly, otherwise inflammation may develop.

Remove water that gets into ear canal. If this is not done, otitis may develop. Make sure that your pet does not come into contact with animals infected with ticks, because this disease is quickly and easily transmitted.

Each owner is obliged to monitor the condition of his cat and, if necessary, show it to a veterinarian. Don't forget that many ear diseases can lead to complete deafness if not treated promptly.

Every cat owner tries to take care of its health. But, unfortunately, sometimes, no matter how concerned you are about the well-being of your pet, there are still such serious illnesses like a tumor in a cat's ear. What is this tumor? What are the consequences? Can it be prevented? And how to treat?

Detection of the problem and what types of tumors there are

Diseases in cats are most often discovered by chance, although the prerequisites for them always have roots. Mainly - improper care and pets' lifestyle. A cheerful animal, as long as it has strength and until it becomes completely unwell, may “not admit” to the problem. And so, or we ourselves arranged an examination of the cat for ear diseases, and discovered the problem. Or the fluffy has no strength left at all, and we consciously look for what’s wrong.

And we find it. There is a tumor in the cat's ear. The best thing to do in this situation is to consult a doctor. And, it is advisable to do this as quickly as possible, because any disease in the ear is serious and fraught with consequences.

What types of tumors and neoplasms do cats have?:

• Malignant.
• Benign.

Malignant ear tumors have the following symptoms::

• The smell of rot;
• Hair loss on the ears;
• Discharge from wounds;
• The ear appears deformed.

More often malignant tumors occur in cats that are already 10 years old or older. Such tumors on the ear have two forms: carcinoma (the reason may be that the cat is often exposed to the sun) and adenocarcinoma (one of the most common types of cancer in cats; it begins and develops in the external meatus).

Benign tumors in the ear of cats have the following symptoms::

• The cat scratches its ear, shakes, tilts its head;
• Sometimes a discharge appears (as in otitis, small);
• The ear itself swells and fluid accumulates in the auricle.

However, any animal can get sick, and the cause may be common, for example, an ear mite, from which the furry was not treated in time. But most often, benign tumors occur in cats that are over 7 years old.

What types of tumors are there: polyps; osteoma ( bone, what is in the ear canal); ceruminoma (gland that produces sulfur); atheroma (gland cyst).

Each of benign tumors on a cat's ear can lead to both an uncomfortable state for the cat and the fact that it will become the cause of more serious illnesses.

How to treat a cat and what are the ways to prevent the problem

Both testing, final diagnosis and treatment should be carried out and prescribed only by a veterinarian. Only he can say specifically what the cat has. Any attempt to try to help the cat on your own will only make the problem worse.

The owner of the cat must be prepared to pet was examined until the doctor made a diagnosis. Perhaps the veterinarian, based on the tests, will decide to treat with medication. This will depend on the stage of the tumor and the nature of the disease. After such treatment, the doctor may send the cat back for tests.

But you should be prepared that your pet will need surgery. Almost all types of benign tumors, if they are not in neglected form, can be removed surgically. Then the cat will go on the mend.

Simple cat care measures will prevent such problems. All you have to do is take care of your furry cat’s hygiene and visit the doctor on time. preventive examination and monitor the cat's behavior.

In the article I will talk about the main diseases of the ears of cats: otitis media, dermatitis, scabies mites, ulcers, eczema, etc. I will list the symptoms of these ailments. I will give the reasons for the development of the disease. Why does a clean pet suddenly start to itch and what to do? I'll tell you when it is necessary to show your pet to a veterinarian.

If a kitten or cat experiences discomfort or pain in the ear area, they will become restless, tilt their head, and behave unusually.

The pet becomes irritable and is not too willing to make contact.

Ear diseases can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• the appearance of abundant plaque in the auricle;
• an unpleasant odor emanates from the cat's head;
• the pet constantly scratches its ears, sometimes it scratches them until deep wounds appear;
• the cat periodically shakes its head;
• Sores, small scratches, a rash appear on the surface of the ear, and in advanced cases a squelching sound is heard.

Any of these symptoms indicates the development of an ear disease.

If treatment is not started in a timely manner, a common fungus can cause deafness or even death of the pet.

Ear diseases and home treatment methods

Ear diseases are divided into two groups: contagious and non-contagious. The first group includes the presence subcutaneous mite or otodectosis. The second group includes: dermatitis, eczema, necrosis, neoplasms, hematomas, ulcers, otitis media, inflammation, lymphatic extravasation.

Scabies mite (otodectosis)

Without treatment, the infection penetrates deeper and deeper and eventually affects inner ear.

Otodectosis is easily transmitted from a sick cat to a healthy one.

It can develop for many reasons:

• ear mite;
• neoplasm;
• water getting into the ear;
• head injuries;
• infection caused by staphylococci or streptococci.

Otitis of the external ear of a cat or cat is manifested by itching and copious secretion of wax.

With inflammation of the middle or inner ear, the pet may be sick, then he constantly shakes his head, and purulent exudate is present.

Your cat's ears smell unpleasant and become hot to the touch. Often the animal's temperature rises.

Otitis media is treated with antibiotics, ear ointments and lotions.

Lymphextravasate

With this disease, lymph accumulates under the skin of the auricle. Reasons for the development of the disease: mechanical impact (injuries, bruises, bites, etc.). Lymphatic extravasation develops slowly, and the ear has a normal temperature.

Treatment involves removing the lymph with a syringe. This procedure should only be performed by a veterinarian. IN in rare cases the skin is incised, then the cavity is thoroughly cleaned and sutures are applied.

Prevention

Every owner should regularly inspect their cat's ears at home for signs of heavy discharge, scabs, sores or other signs of disease. If your pet starts shaking its head, scratching its ear vigorously, or has a fever, this is a reason to consult a veterinarian.

Untreated ear diseases can lead to serious complications. If the inflammation spreads to the inner ear, the animal may become deaf.

Many diseases are accompanied by severe itching and pain, so it is necessary to start treatment on time.

The health of the pet always comes first for the owner. In cats and cats, it is the ears that are common cause anxiety, their illnesses cause a lot of unpleasant moments for the animal. If he shakes his head, scratches his ears, or there is discharge, then you should definitely show your pet to a doctor.

Many diseases can have serious consequences, so don’t put off your visit to veterinary clinic. You can only guess on your own, and we will tell you what symptoms and treatment of ear diseases in cats exist. But you should not self-medicate.

What ear diseases affect cats?

Let's look at each group separately.

Otodectosis

The ways and reasons for getting them into the ears of pets are quite difficult to explain. Most often this happens on a walk or from the clothes of the owners, that is, it is quite easy to get a tick from the outside. But treatment, as a rule, requires effort and thoroughness from both the pet and the owner.

A few days after infection are enough for the first symptoms of the disease to appear. You will immediately notice the restless behavior of the animal, which begins to constantly scratch its ears with its paws, as well as shake and shake its head.

The cat seems to want to shake out the nuisance, but cannot. Her ear is constantly itching and causing a lot of trouble.

If you notice this behavior, you should conduct a careful and thorough examination of the ear, which is best done while wearing sterile gloves. Ticks always leave marks and others visible signs, indicating their presence, for example, brown coating. The so-called passages - thin wounds - will also alert you.

Please note that self-medication of diseases is extremely dangerous. Tick ​​infestations often result in more serious problems, cause diseases of the auricle.

The most common complication is otitis media. To prevent this from happening, urgently take your pet to a veterinary clinic. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose and prescribe adequate treatment that will help your cat quickly get rid of ticks without consequences.

Otitis

Otitis is inflammatory process, occurring in the inner, middle or outer ear of both humans and animals. In cats, it is often a complication of otodecosis. The most dangerous is damage to the inner ear. If left untreated and the disease progresses, then the inflammatory process can affect internal tissues, and then lead to the animal becoming hard of hearing or losing hearing completely, as well as having problems with the vestibular system.

Having discovered that discharge has appeared from the ear, you can definitely say that your pet has otitis media. This is the main symptom of ear disease. They may be clear or contain pus. It is especially dangerous when they acquire an unpleasant odor.

Most often, inflammation causes inflammation in a cat:

• uncomfortable state
• decreased activity

Rarely does otitis media go away without visible discharge, but discharge from the ear is always present. As with the primary infection with ticks, you may notice that the cat seems to want to rid itself of the object that is bothering it, shaking its head and tilting its ear towards the diseased ear.

If the owner does not take action in time and does not begin treatment, the disease can go deeper and lead to the most complex consequences.

Problems with coordination and increased body temperature are very alarm bells for the owner and a reason to immediately seek qualified medical help.

The cause of the disease can be not only infection with ticks, but also hypothermia. You can prevent it if you protect your cat from drafts in cool weather and dry it thoroughly after bathing.

There is no point in prescribing treatment for your pet on your own. Accurate diagnosis Only a veterinarian will diagnose and select the right one drug treatment, which will suit your cat individually.

Dermatitis and eczema

Distinguish them from infectious disease not easy. Dermatitis is characterized by the appearance of rashes, the auricle turns red. The cat becomes restless from the severe itching that torments him. He constantly scratches his ears, which leads to an increase in the affected area, wounds and bleeding.

The cause of dermatitis is allergic reaction on external factors or food. In this case, hair loss from the damaged area is observed.

Hematomas and abscesses

Both of these ailments are the result of trauma to the animal. In general, their symptoms are similar, as are the reasons why they appear in a cat. Often, without proper treatment, a hematoma can develop into an abscess.

Cats that are let outside by their owners often get mechanical damage auricle. This can be especially observed with the onset of spring, when cats fight for the attention of cats, or simply do not divide the territory. The pet returns home with various injuries, like open wounds, as well as bruises and bruises.

A hematoma is a closed type injury, simply a bruise. As we know, it appears from various blows. Just like a person, the bruised area hurts a lot. Most often, cats' ears are susceptible to hematomas, so it is quite easy to see a bruise, since the animal has less hair on them.

If your pet is acting restless, screaming and pressing its ear, carefully examine it. Often he won't even let you touch him. This is a clear reason to see a doctor.

Abscess is a consequence open injury, purulent inflammation. Any scratch can lead to an abscess. Ears are damaged during fights; cats often injure them with each other's claws. Since they always contain dirt, sand or dust, they get into the wound. After the cat visited the street, it is necessary to carefully examine it for scratches and carefully treat wounds on the ears disinfectants. If this is not done, the injury site may swell, turn red and fester. Here you can handle it yourself, if the affected area is small, treat it with iodine and disinfect it. But it's better to show it to a doctor. The veterinarian will open the abscess on the animal's ear and remove the pus.

Tumors and neoplasms

Ear tumors in animals are extremely rare. Notice and recognize them on early stages does not seem possible. Only fairly large tumors can be noticed, and then consultation with a specialist is definitely needed to find out the origin of the tumor. The dangers facing growing tumors include:

• hearing loss,
• vestibular disorder.

Often in such cases the help of a surgeon is required.

Necrosis of the auricle

Necrosis is the death of tissue. This phenomenon can be observed as a result of squeezing the auricle for a long time or infection of the hematoma. Blood circulation is disrupted and tissues begin to gradually die. Visually, it looks like the ear turns black and rots.

Necrosis cannot be cured. The surgeon usually decides to remove the damaged part of the concha or completely amputate the ear.

Symptoms of ear diseases in cats

Although all ear diseases in cats differ in symptoms, there are also some standard signs. It is important to know that any of them is a reason to contact a veterinary clinic for qualified help.

Let's list typical signs ear disease in cats:

• the pet scratches its ears, this is caused by discomfort,
• tilts his head to the side, rubs his ear against the surface, tries to shake off or remove something,
• discharge is observed,
• the animal has a lethargic appearance, loss of appetite, no playful mood,
• body temperature rises,
• the wounds are visually visible, purulent formations or tumors.

Treatment

First you need to carefully examine the animal's ears and try to understand what happened and what is bothering him. Staging correct diagnosis, identifying the cause of ear diseases in a cat is a sure way to a quick cure without unpleasant consequences. If it is a small wound, the owner can cope with the disease himself. But in more serious cases, only a doctor will help.

In veterinary pharmacies there are a number of drugs with different spectrums of action that help in the treatment of various ear diseases in cats. Remember important point, clean ears with cotton swabs is strictly prohibited. All discharge and dirt from the auricle are removed only with cotton pads.

Abscesses, hematomas, necrosis, tumors must be shown to a doctor who will decide on treatment of the disease and surgical intervention.

If any tiny thing gets into the ear canal, foreign body, it is also removed in the clinic. If left for a long time, it can cause an inflammatory process. Treating your cat's ears should not be delayed.