Q&A for How to Treat Ear Mites

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Is there a home remedy for ear mites?

Stephanie Abrams, DVM, MS, DACVD
Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist
Dr. Stephanie Abrams is a Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist with over eight years of veterinary experience. She specializes in treating skin conditions in cats and dogs. Dr. Abrams earned a BA from Skidmore College and a DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. After earning her DVM, she completed an internship at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties, followed by a residency in Dermatology at the Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Stephanie Abrams, DVM, MS, DACVD

Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Although ear mites can be treated at home, there's no kind of concoction that I'm aware of that you can make at home. I like to treat them with a lot of fleas and ticks and heartworm prevention also treats ear mites. There are also prescription-only medications that go in the ears that can treat ear mites, so check it with your vet.

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Question

What are the symptoms of ear mites in humans?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Humans are not a natural host for cat ear mites. In the 1950s, one enterprising veterinarian deliberately infected himself to see what it felt like. He reported intensely irritating scrambling noises deep within the ear canal and itchiness.

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Question

How do you get rid of ear mites in cats?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Ear mites can be killed by a number of medicated ear drops or indeed by an application (to the scruff) of selamectin (Revolution). It's important to treat all the cats in the house, since an untreated can act as a reservoir of infection and re-infect the treated cat once the medication has worn off.

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Question

Are ear mites contagious?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Ear mites are highly contagious to those species that are their natural hosts, such as dogs and cats. However, they are not contagious to people.

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Question

How do I know if my dog has ear mites?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Clues that a dog has ear mites include intensely itchy ears and thick black ear wax. To see the actual mites requires an otoscope or a microscope so the vet is best placed to make the final diagnosis.

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