Ear mites - cat - driving me crazy too!

[danacat]

One of my cats has developed ear mites in one ear. To avoid an expensive and CATastrophic trip to the vets, I searched online for natural/at home treatments. Oil – like olive oil – seems to be a preferred treatment – smothers the mites, soothes etc.

Luckily kitty doesn’t mind me gently cleaning his ears – nor does he mind a few drops of oil. It does seem to work-- but after a week of treatment the mites are back full force. Time to find a more aggressive treatment.

Has anyone tried any of the over-the-counter mite treatments offered online? And if so, which one worked for you?

Any other natural remedies besides olive oil? I’m beginning to think the mites are liking/thriving on the olive oil as if it’s food!

Thanks for any suggestions!

[chestnutmarebeware]

No need to take him to the vet. Just ask them for a tube of Revolution—it will clear up the ear mites, deworm, and treat for fleas. All for under $20!

[Pep_n_Ann]

Revolution will require a heart worm test.

[chestnutmarebeware]

@Pep 'n' Ann

Revolution will require a heart worm test.

Really? They don’t require that around here—but this is a rural area where it can be hard to convince owners that pets sometimes need vet care. Maybe they figure a little risk is better than no treatment at all for the animal.

[Pep_n_Ann]

I have to get one to get it for my cat. The Revolution I get is for heartworm as well. I wonder if they have two different formulas?

[red_mares]

Mine got ear mites from a transient kitten a few years ago. I mentioned it at the vet (wasn’t sure about it). A little tubes of something in each ears and they were all good. I don’t remember what it was, but I don’t recall it being an expensive trip.

[pasolover2]

When you treat ear mites you kill the adults that are there, then a week to ten days later you have to treat again as the eggs hatch causing new ones. I have battled the ear mites. I use the ear mite meds from my vet that you use 7-10 drops then wait 7 days and treat again, but you have to make sure it is ear mites. I had one cat I treated, but he never got better, ended up taking him to the vet and he had a yeast infection in his ears. Sometimes a trip to the vet is warranted, especially when it comes to treating for ear mites or having them checked to make sure that is what you are having problems with.

[roseymare]

Mites usually effect both ears. I would be concerned that it is an infection instead.

[shayaalliard]

We treated for mites at the pet store with a drop of ivomec in each ear

[danacat]

@shayaalliard

We treated for mites at the pet store with a drop of ivomec in each ear

I did see the Ivomec while I was researching – liquid that comes in an injection bottle. And yes you draw some up in a syringe and use it as drops. Pricey stuff! But probably the best treatment. I can buy it online I think.

[Simkie]

@danacat

I did see the Ivomec while I was researching – liquid that comes in an injection bottle. And yes you draw some up in a syringe and use it as drops. Pricey stuff! But probably the best treatment. I can buy it online I think.

Pricey? $40 will get you more than you’ll ever need

Or buy the generic for under $30?

But really, it’s probably time for the vet and some revolution if they confirm mites.

[trubandloki]

It seems at this point it is probably best to go to the vet.

If you keep spending money on various internet fixes and still have a problem you are going to spend more money then it would have cost to just go to the vet and have the issues confirmed and properly treated.

[danacat]

@Simkie

Pricey? $40 will get you more than you’ll ever need

You’re right! Not pricey at all. I must have been thinking of something else.

[gypsymare]

Ivomec should be diluted by 100 times over for use in the ears. You want a solution of 0.01% ivermectin and Ivomec is usually 1%. So you could mix 10cc of alcohol and 0.1cc of ivomec. Apply 1ml to each ear and massage.

Acarexx is the Rx equivalent.

[danacat]

@gypsymare

Ivomec should be diluted by 100 times over for use in the ears. You want a solution of 0.01% ivermectin and Ivomec is usually 1%. So you could mix 10cc of alcohol and 0.1cc of ivomec. Apply 1ml to each ear and massage.

Acarexx is the Rx equivalent.

Thank you for the Ivomec % info . I looked for Acarexx-- it’s out of stock or no longer available on every site. Maybe it’s off the market?

[gypsymare]

@danacat

Thank you for the Ivomec % info . I looked for Acarexx-- it’s out of stock or no longer available on every site. Maybe it’s off the market?

It’s listed on a few sites but it’s stupidly expensive for being basically Ivomec in alcohol. You could treat 1,500 cats with a $40 bottle of Ivomec vs $15 per one pouch of Acarexx.

[Kat_the_Horse]

I treat every one of our cats (and we have several) twice a year with a drop of Ivermec in each ear. I have a few older cats who continue to have itchy ears who I dose with Zymox Enzymatic drops several times a year. Helps with drooling, believe it or not. The miticide that the vets usually give out have never done a thing. [h=1][/h]

[LesleyW]

I was about to post the Ivermectin dilute as well, but I see it’s covered.
Local vet offices won’t give mite treatments over the counter without seeing the animal.

[VTMorgan06]

My vet gave me Zymox for my cat’s ears. We had already treated with Revolution and she was still itchy.