Ear mites are mites that live in the ears of animals and humans. The most commonly seen species in veterinary medicine is Otodectes cynotis (Gk. oto=ear, dectes=biter, cynotis=of the dog). This species, despite its name, is also responsible for 90% of ear mite infections in felines.
In veterinary practice, ear mite infections in dogs and cats may present as a disease that causes intense itching in one or both ears, which in turn triggers scratching at the affected ear. An unusually dark colored ear wax (cerumen) may also be produced. Cats, as well as dogs with erect ears that have control over ear direction, may be seen with one or both ear pinnas held at an odd or flattened angle.
The most common lesion associated with ear mites is an open or crusted ("scabbed") skin wound at the back or base of the ear, caused by abrasion of the skin by hind limb claws, as the ear has been scratched in an attempt to relieve the itching. This lesion often becomes secondarily infected and crusted from ordinary skin bacteria, so that the common presentation of ear mites is such a wound appearing on the back or base of one or both ears. This is accompanied by the Pinnal-Pedal Reflex that appears as reflex scratching motions of the hind limb when the ear is manipulated (this test is positive as well in other mite infections of the outside and rim of the ear pinnas in mange). When the ear mite infection is treated, such wounds resolve spontaneously, and this resolution may be speeded with application of topical antibiotics.
The most common ear mite (as well as mange mite) treatments currently use the antiparasitics ivermectin and selamectin, 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 medication. Selamectin is available as a once-a-month preparation that can be applied to the animal's skin, which prevents mite infestation over that time.
Ear mites spread rapidly, and can be transmitted from even brief physical contact with other animals. In pets, ear mites most commonly affect cats, ferrets, and to a lesser extent dogs. Humans can rarely be infected with ear mites.[1][2] Infected animals have a large amount of crumbly dark brown material in their ears. On close inspection, tiny white mites can barely be seen in the debris, as they are nearly microscopic. Ear mites do not burrow as some mites do, but live within the ear canal.[3][4]
Life cycle
The life cycle of an individual mite is about 4 weeks, with eggs hatching on the 3rd or 4th day after laying. Female mites are able to reproduce after about 3 weeks.[5]
Consequences of infection
The ear mite is the most common cause of ear infections in cats, quickly spreading from one cat to another through direct contact.[6] Ear mites cause inflammatory symptoms, similar to bacterial and yeast infections. Symptoms include itching and redness of the ears. Other, more serious problems can result from untreated infections, such as skin disease in areas other than the ear like the neck and tail, and deafness.[7]
Ear mites in rabbits
Psoroptes cuniculi
The rabbit ear mite, Psoroptes cuniculi, is larger than Otodectes cynotis. It causes thick firm debris to form in the ear canal, and can eventually migrate to the skin of the outer ear and face. Symptoms include scratching and shaking of the head. Treatment includes topical selamectin, or injections of ivermectin and frequent cleanings of the rabbit's environment.[8]
Treatment
Ear mites of dogs and cats can be treated with any of the spot-on preparations available from veterinary surgeons as well as over the counter at many pet stores and online. If the chosen solution does not destroy mite eggs, treatment should be repeated after one month, to catch the next generation of mites that will have hatched by then. Relief, in terms of the cat or dog no longer scratching at his or her ears, will be noticeable within a few hours. However, since mite irritation is partly allergic (see scabies), symptoms may also outlive mites by weeks. Moreover, it may take topical antibiotics and several weeks to clear infected external wounds caused by scratching on the exterior surfaces of cat and dog ears.
Options for treating ear mites in rabbits are the related antiparasiticsivermectin and selamectin.[9] Both of these antiparasitics have also been used with good effect in cats and dogs. A topical preparation of 0.01% ivermectin (Acarexx) can be used directly as an oil in cat ears, and the related new generation drug selamectin (brand name "Revolution") is available as a once-per-month skin treatment for both dogs and cats, which will prevent new mite infestation as well as a number of other parasitic diseases. As with ivermectin, selamectin must be used with caution in collies and herder breeds with the possibility for homozygous MDR1 mutations. A single treatment with a topical formulation containing fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel was shown to be efficient for the prevention of Otodectes cynotis infestation in cats.[10]
References
^Al-Arfaj, AM; Mullen, GR; Rashad, R; Abdel-Hameed, A; Oconnor, BM; Alkhalife, IS; Dute, RR (2007). "A human case of otoacariasis involving a histiostomatid mite (Acari: Histiostomatidae)". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 76 (5): 967–71. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2007.76.967. PMID 17488924.
^Klemm, E; Haroske, G; Wollina, U (2009). (PDF). Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica et Adriatica. 18 (2): 73–6. PMID 19588062. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
^"Ear Mites: Tiny Critters that can Pose a Major Threat". Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
^"Ear Mites and Health Care for Cats and Dogs". PetsMD.
^Griffin, Craig E.; Miller, William H.; Scott, Danny W. (2001). Small Animal Dermatology (6th ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN978-0-7216-7618-0.[page needed]
^Hillyer, Elizabeth V.; Quesenberry, Katherin E. (1997). Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery (1st ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN978-0-7216-4023-5.[page needed]
^Beugnet, F., Bouhsira, É., Halos, L. & Franc, M. 2014: Preventive efficacy of a topical combination of fipronil (S)-methoprene - eprinomectin - praziquantel against ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) infestation of cats through a natural infestation model. Parasite, 21, 40. doi:10.1051/parasite/2014042
External links
Ear Mites FAQ from The Pet Health Library
March 03, 2023
mite, mites, that, live, ears, animals, humans, most, commonly, seen, species, veterinary, medicine, otodectes, cynotis, dectes, biter, cynotis, this, species, despite, name, also, responsible, mite, infections, felines, otodectes, cynotis, veterinary, practic. Ear mites are mites that live in the ears of animals and humans The most commonly seen species in veterinary medicine is Otodectes cynotis Gk oto ear dectes biter cynotis of the dog This species despite its name is also responsible for 90 of ear mite infections in felines Otodectes cynotis In veterinary practice ear mite infections in dogs and cats may present as a disease that causes intense itching in one or both ears which in turn triggers scratching at the affected ear An unusually dark colored ear wax cerumen may also be produced Cats as well as dogs with erect ears that have control over ear direction may be seen with one or both ear pinnas held at an odd or flattened angle The most common lesion associated with ear mites is an open or crusted scabbed skin wound at the back or base of the ear caused by abrasion of the skin by hind limb claws as the ear has been scratched in an attempt to relieve the itching This lesion often becomes secondarily infected and crusted from ordinary skin bacteria so that the common presentation of ear mites is such a wound appearing on the back or base of one or both ears This is accompanied by the Pinnal Pedal Reflex that appears as reflex scratching motions of the hind limb when the ear is manipulated this test is positive as well in other mite infections of the outside and rim of the ear pinnas in mange When the ear mite infection is treated such wounds resolve spontaneously and this resolution may be speeded with application of topical antibiotics The most common ear mite as well as mange mite treatments currently use the antiparasitics ivermectin and selamectin 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 medication Selamectin is available as a once a month preparation that can be applied to the animal s skin which prevents mite infestation over that time Contents 1 Contagion 2 Life cycle 3 Consequences of infection 4 Ear mites in rabbits 5 Treatment 6 References 7 External linksContagion EditEar mites spread rapidly and can be transmitted from even brief physical contact with other animals In pets ear mites most commonly affect cats ferrets and to a lesser extent dogs Humans can rarely be infected with ear mites 1 2 Infected animals have a large amount of crumbly dark brown material in their ears On close inspection tiny white mites can barely be seen in the debris as they are nearly microscopic Ear mites do not burrow as some mites do but live within the ear canal 3 4 Life cycle EditThe life cycle of an individual mite is about 4 weeks with eggs hatching on the 3rd or 4th day after laying Female mites are able to reproduce after about 3 weeks 5 Consequences of infection EditThe ear mite is the most common cause of ear infections in cats quickly spreading from one cat to another through direct contact 6 Ear mites cause inflammatory symptoms similar to bacterial and yeast infections Symptoms include itching and redness of the ears Other more serious problems can result from untreated infections such as skin disease in areas other than the ear like the neck and tail and deafness 7 Ear mites in rabbits Edit Psoroptes cuniculi The rabbit ear mite Psoroptes cuniculi is larger than Otodectes cynotis It causes thick firm debris to form in the ear canal and can eventually migrate to the skin of the outer ear and face Symptoms include scratching and shaking of the head Treatment includes topical selamectin or injections of ivermectin and frequent cleanings of the rabbit s environment 8 Treatment EditEar mites of dogs and cats can be treated with any of the spot on preparations available from veterinary surgeons as well as over the counter at many pet stores and online If the chosen solution does not destroy mite eggs treatment should be repeated after one month to catch the next generation of mites that will have hatched by then Relief in terms of the cat or dog no longer scratching at his or her ears will be noticeable within a few hours However since mite irritation is partly allergic see scabies symptoms may also outlive mites by weeks Moreover it may take topical antibiotics and several weeks to clear infected external wounds caused by scratching on the exterior surfaces of cat and dog ears Options for treating ear mites in rabbits are the related antiparasitics ivermectin and selamectin 9 Both of these antiparasitics have also been used with good effect in cats and dogs A topical preparation of 0 01 ivermectin Acarexx can be used directly as an oil in cat ears and the related new generation drug selamectin brand name Revolution is available as a once per month skin treatment for both dogs and cats which will prevent new mite infestation as well as a number of other parasitic diseases As with ivermectin selamectin must be used with caution in collies and herder breeds with the possibility for homozygous MDR1 mutations A single treatment with a topical formulation containing fipronil S methoprene eprinomectin and praziquantel was shown to be efficient for the prevention of Otodectes cynotis infestation in cats 10 References Edit Al Arfaj AM Mullen GR Rashad R Abdel Hameed A Oconnor BM Alkhalife IS Dute RR 2007 A human case of otoacariasis involving a histiostomatid mite Acari Histiostomatidae The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 76 5 967 71 doi 10 4269 ajtmh 2007 76 967 PMID 17488924 Klemm E Haroske G Wollina U 2009 Otitis externa and myringitis due to demodicidosis PDF Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina Pannonica et Adriatica 18 2 73 6 PMID 19588062 Archived from the original PDF on 2012 04 25 Retrieved 2011 11 11 Ear Mites Tiny Critters that can Pose a Major Threat Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Otodectes cynotis PDF Mountain View Veterinary Clinic Ear Mite Otodectes cynotis unreliable medical source Ear Mites and Health Care for Cats and Dogs PetsMD Griffin Craig E Miller William H Scott Danny W 2001 Small Animal Dermatology 6th ed W B Saunders Company ISBN 978 0 7216 7618 0 page needed Hillyer Elizabeth V Quesenberry Katherin E 1997 Ferrets Rabbits and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery 1st ed W B Saunders Company ISBN 978 0 7216 4023 5 page needed Frances Harcourt Brown 2001 Textbook of Rabbit Medicine Butterworth Heinemann Ltd ISBN 0750640022 ISBN 978 0750640022 Beugnet F Bouhsira E Halos L amp Franc M 2014 Preventive efficacy of a topical combination of fipronil S methoprene eprinomectin praziquantel against ear mite Otodectes cynotis infestation of cats through a natural infestation model Parasite 21 40 doi 10 1051 parasite 2014042External links EditEar Mites FAQ from The Pet Health Library Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ear mite amp oldid 1079069711, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
