Ear mites are mites that live in the ears of animals and humans. The species most commonly seen in veterinary medicine is Otodectes cynotis (Gk. Oto = ear, dectes = bite, cynotis = dog). This species, regardless of its name, is also responsible for 90% of ear infections in cats.
In veterinary practice, ear mite infections in dogs and cats can appear as a disease that causes itching in one or both ears, which in turn triggers scratching the affected ear. An extraordinarily dark earwax (cerumen) can also be produced. Cats, as well as dogs with erect ears that have control over the direction of the ear, can be seen with one or both ear pins held at odd or flat angles.
The most common lesions associated with ear mites are open or crusted ("scabbed") skin lesions on the back or bottom of the ear, caused by abrasion of the skin by the hoofs of the hind legs, since the ears have been scratched in an attempt to relieve itching. These lesions often become secondary and skin infected from ordinary skin bacteria, so the general presentation of ear mites is such lesions that appear on the back or base of one or both ears. This is accompanied by a Pinnal-Pedal Reflex that appears as a scratching movement of the back bump when the ear is manipulated (this test is positive also in other mite infections from the outside and the edges of the ear pins on scabies). When an ear mite infection is treated, the injury resolves spontaneously, and this resolution can be accelerated with topical antibiotic applications.
The most common treatment of ear mites (scab mites) today use ivermectin and selamectin antiparasit, usually as topical preparations. Ivermectin is available as a direct water-based liquid that is squeezed into the ear canal and massaged at the base of the ear to distribute the drug. Selamectin is available once a monthly preparation that can be applied to animal skin, which prevents mite attacks during that time.
Video Ear mite
Transmission
Ear mites spread rapidly, and can be transmitted from brief physical contact with other animals. In pets, ear mites most often affect cats, weasels, and dogs with lower levels. Humans rarely get infected with ear mites. Infected animals have a large number of fragile dark brown materials in their ears. On closer inspection, small white mites can be seen in the debris. Ear mites do not snow like some mites, but live inside the ear canal.
Maps Ear mite
Life cycle
The life cycle of individual mites is about 4 weeks, with eggs hatched on the 3rd or 4th day after laying. Female mites are able to reproduce after about 3 weeks.
Consequences of infection
Ear mites are the most common cause of ear infections in cats, rapidly spreading from one cat to another through direct contact. Ear mites cause symptoms of inflammation, similar to bacterial and yeast infections. Symptoms include itching and redness of the ears. Other more serious problems can occur due to untreated infections, such as skin diseases in areas other than ears such as neck and tail, and deafness.
Ear mites in rabbits
Bunny ear mite, Psoroptes cuniculi , is larger than Otodectes cynotis . This causes a hard debris that forms in the ear canal, and can eventually migrate to the outer ear skin and face. Symptoms include scratching and shaking your head. Treatments include topical selamectin, or ivermectin injections and frequent cleaning of the rabbit environment.
Treatment
Dog and cat ears mites can be treated with one of the most immediate preparations available from animal surgeons as well as at counters in many pet stores and online. If the selected solution does not destroy the egg mites, treatment should be repeated after one month, to catch the next generation mites that will hatch at that time. Help, in the case of a cat or dog no longer scratching his ears, will be seen in a few hours. However, due to mite irritation of some allergies (see scabies), symptoms can also live longer than week to week. In addition, topical antibiotics may be required and several weeks to clean the infected external wound caused by scratches on the outer surface of the cat and dog's ears.
Common home remedies include households such as isopropyl alcohol, acetic acid (vinegar), boric acid, tea tree oil, coconut oil, and many other plant extracts, in various proportions.
The options for treating ear mites in rabbits are antiparasitic ivermectin and related selamectin. Both of these antiparasites have also been used with good effects on cats and dogs. Topical preparations of 0.01% ivermectin (Acarexx) can be used directly as oil in the cat's ear, and new generations associated with selamectin (brand name "Revolution") are available as skin care once per month for dogs and cats, which will prevent mite infestation new as well as a number of other parasitic diseases. As with ivermectin, selamectin should be used with caution in the collies and herder breeds with the possibility for homozygous MDR1 mutations. A single treatment with topical formulations containing fipronil, (S) -methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel proved to be efficient for the prevention of ticks Otodectes cynotis in cats.
References
External links
- Ear Mites FAQ from The Pet Health Library
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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