Cat having earmites

Christian Klippel · 20th November 2009, 03:28 PM

Hello,

one of my cats (the male one, you can see him in my avatar) got earmites in one ear. Is there anything that i can do myself, without taking him to the vet? I'm already cleaning that ear as much as i can (without poking things deep into it), but that doesn't really help.

He's a stray who decided about 1 year ago to live with me (damn package from the cat-door omitted the "Now comes with free extra cats" sticker

). While he is all cuddly and sweet, there is no way that i can put him into a box to transport him to a vet. He _really_ don't like that. I did that once when i moved, took me about 2 hours, lot's of my blood, and afterwards he decided to pee anywhere except one of the litter-boxes for two weeks. Of course i really like to avoid having all that trouble again.

All the stuff that is available against earmites is prescription only over here, and none of the vet's around my place would give me one without showing up with the cat first. However, it is confirmed to be earmites by a vet, i took some of the dirt there and he analyzed it. A few vets here do home visits, but for a hugely overpriced extra fee. Since i'm really low on money currently, this is just a no-opt at the moment.

So, any ideas what i could do to get rid of them?

Thanks,

Chris

BenBurch · 20th November 2009, 03:36 PM

Mineral oil (baby oil.)

Dropper it in the ear, massage the ear, wipe out as much as you can with a paper towel or tissue.

Repeat daily until the ear is clear.

Basically you use it as a solvent to remove the dirt and mites, and it drowns a portion of the little critters...

Christian Klippel · 20th November 2009, 03:44 PM

Hello BenBurch,

wow, that was a quick answer

Sounds good, probably i'm trying that then. Using a thick blankie an my lap helps against the claws while fiddling with his ear ( lot's of groaning when even holding him).

Forgot to mention in the OP that he also doesn't like strangers, he goes hiding when someone else is around. Dunno why he has choosen me, he's pretty shy otherwise. That's another reason why a home visit from a pet isn't that good an option.

Again, thanks for the tip.

Greetings,

Chris

MikeMangum · 20th November 2009, 03:55 PM

I used to do pesticide application for trees and shrubs and our mix contained mineral oil specifically to smother insects and mites, so BenBurches' advice certainly sounds plausible.

AlBell · 20th November 2009, 04:16 PM

I've had success with Hydrogen Peroxide swabbed in kitty's ears.

Yuri Nalyssus · 20th November 2009, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by AlBell

I've had success with Hydrogen Peroxide swabbed in kitty's ears.

That could be highly irritant or worse, so could mineral oil, it could also be toxic, esp if there's a perforated ear drum. If there is marked irritation take your cat to the vet - nipping this in the bud by treating early is almost certainly your cheapest option, anything else could be false economy.

Cheers,

Yuri

Epok · 20th November 2009, 04:34 PM

If you are having that much trouble taking your cat to the vet then you might could try talking to your vet about using Ketamine. with about 1cc it should knock your cat out for about 45 minutes or so. That might be enough time to get him to the vet. I think you have to get a 'script for it though.

Christian Klippel · 20th November 2009, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by AlBell

I've had success with Hydrogen Peroxide swabbed in kitty's ears.

Hmm, i'm sceptical about using H2O2. For one, i only have H2O2 at 35% here, that would probably get rid of the whole ear. Then, i'm not sure that it would dissolve the dirt, mineral oil seems better at that.

Originally Posted by Yuri Nalyssus

That could be highly irritant or worse, so could mineral oil, it could also be toxic, esp if there's a perforated ear drum. If there is marked irritation take your cat to the vet - nipping this in the bud by treating early is almost certainly your cheapest option, anything else could be false economy.

Well, i noticed the black dirt in his ear about two weeks ago, before there was nothing visible. So i doubt that there is a heavy infestation or even a perforated eardrum. The problem really is to take him somewhere, not the cost of visiting a vet. It's really a lot of stress and pain to do that. And the week-long "peeing everywhere" afterwards surely isn't fun either, so i'd really like to avoid that if possible.

Of course if the situation gets worse, i have no other choice than taking him to the vet. But since this is in a very early stage, i'd like to try the mineral oil first and see if that helps, i think.

The regular cleaning of his ear already had some effect, it got less and less dirt during the first week, with a somewhat stable "output" of dirt this second week.

Greetings,

Chris

Christian Klippel · 20th November 2009, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Epok

If you are having that much trouble taking your cat to the vet then you might could try talking to your vet about using Ketamine. with about 1cc it should knock your cat out for about 45 minutes or so. That might be enough time to get him to the vet. I think you have to get a 'script for it though.

Ketamine? Isn't that used as horse tranquilizer?

I'll keep that in mind in case i really have to take him to the vet.

Greetings,

Chris

Lisa Simpson · 20th November 2009, 04:58 PM

My son was given ketamine as a sedative, twice (second cat thread, second reference to my middle son). Anyway, there are OTC mite treatments you can buy at any major pet megamart. Mineral oil is probably cheaper and equally effective.

Christian Klippel · 20th November 2009, 05:04 PM

Hello Lisa,

Originally Posted by Lisa Simpson

My son was given ketamine as a sedative, twice (second cat thread, second reference to my middle son). Anyway, there are OTC mite treatments you can buy at any major pet megamart. Mineral oil is probably cheaper and equally effective.

sorry, on this side of the pond there is nothing available for that as OTC. I looked around and asked, even in a pharmacy, but to no avail. All the stuff for that is prescription only.

Greetings,

Chris

AlBell · 20th November 2009, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Klippel

Hmm, i'm sceptical about using H2O2. For one, i only have H2O2 at 35% here, that would probably get rid of the whole ear. Then, i'm not sure that it would dissolve the dirt, mineral oil seems better at that.

The stuff available in the US is 3%. Yours sounds like rocket fuel.

Quote:

The regular cleaning of his ear already had some effect, it got less and less dirt during the first week, with a somewhat stable "output" of dirt this second week.

The "dirt" is earmites according to my vet. Hydrogen peroxide 3% doesn't dissolve them, just kills them and their offspring.

Epok · 20th November 2009, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Klippel

Ketamine? Isn't that used as horse tranquilizer?

I'll keep that in mind in case i really have to take him to the vet.

Greetings,

Chris

They probably use it on horses also but Ketamine is what my bobcat breeder suggested I use to get him calm enough to put a harness on him. He is only about 25 pounds at 6 months old so he still isn't much bigger than a housecat. She said that Ketamine won't make him go to sleep but it just relaxes his muscles so he doesn't squirm or go nuts. She recommended only 1 cc. I'm sure they use a lot more for horses.

Estellea · 21st November 2009, 04:36 PM

How about running by the vet and picking up some Revolution? You get flea protection as well.

Lucian · 21st November 2009, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Estellea

How about running by the vet and picking up some Revolution? You get flea protection as well.

Revolution also protects against heartworm, but it is expensive.

PbFoot · 21st November 2009, 07:11 PM

A quick pass through an autoclave will take care of the mites, guaranteed.

-PbFoot

Lucian · 21st November 2009, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by Epok

They probably use it on horses also but Ketamine is what my bobcat breeder suggested I use to get him calm enough to put a harness on him. He is only about 25 pounds at 6 months old so he still isn't much bigger than a housecat. She said that Ketamine won't make him go to sleep but it just relaxes his muscles so he doesn't squirm or go nuts. She recommended only 1 cc. I'm sure they use a lot more for horses.

There are also milder sedatives or calming agents that can be used on cats. The vet can prescribe something or you could give your cat a child's dose of Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

You have a bobkitten? I want to see pictures.

bethgsd · 21st November 2009, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Klippel

Ketamine? Isn't that used as horse tranquilizer?

I'll keep that in mind in case i really have to take him to the vet.

Greetings,

Chris

If you give ketamine be careful. It apparently hurts like the dickens and the recovery can be rough on the animal.

Something that might work better than a cat carrier is to put the cat in a pillow case. Won't help with the peeing all over the place after the vet visit though.

Lucian · 21st November 2009, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by bethgsd

If you give ketamine be careful. It apparently hurts like the dickens and the recovery can be rough on the animal.

Something that might work better than a cat carrier is to put the cat in a pillow case. Won't help with the peeing all over the place after the vet visit though.

After the vet visit, you could confine him to a small room (bathroom, for instance) for awhile, and put down newspapers and/or puppy training pads.

20th November 2009, 03:28 PM	#1
Christian Klippel Muse Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ruhr Area in Germany Posts: 653	Cat having earmites Hello, one of my cats (the male one, you can see him in my avatar) got earmites in one ear. Is there anything that i can do myself, without taking him to the vet? I'm already cleaning that ear as much as i can (without poking things deep into it), but that doesn't really help. He's a stray who decided about 1 year ago to live with me (damn package from the cat-door omitted the "Now comes with free extra cats" sticker ). While he is all cuddly and sweet, there is no way that i can put him into a box to transport him to a vet. He _really_ don't like that. I did that once when i moved, took me about 2 hours, lot's of my blood, and afterwards he decided to pee anywhere except one of the litter-boxes for two weeks. Of course i really like to avoid having all that trouble again. All the stuff that is available against earmites is prescription only over here, and none of the vet's around my place would give me one without showing up with the cat first. However, it is confirmed to be earmites by a vet, i took some of the dirt there and he analyzed it. A few vets here do home visits, but for a hugely overpriced extra fee. Since i'm really low on money currently, this is just a no-opt at the moment. So, any ideas what i could do to get rid of them? Thanks, Chris
	__________________ Humber-physics 101: The treadmill has no ground equivalent. This means that the belt is not the road, but the Earth. ... That means the belt is also a privileged and unique perspective. If not then the treadmill collapses to the real world equivalent of a real treadmill, with different objects at different velocities in the same frame. Either way, no motion. Last edited by Christian Klippel; 20th November 2009 at 03:31 PM.

20th November 2009, 03:36 PM	#2
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 13,788	Mineral oil (baby oil.) Dropper it in the ear, massage the ear, wipe out as much as you can with a paper towel or tissue. Repeat daily until the ear is clear. Basically you use it as a solvent to remove the dirt and mites, and it drowns a portion of the little critters...
	__________________ A Liberal Dose of Talk Dog is my co-pilot. GENERATION 7: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social experiment.

20th November 2009, 03:44 PM	#3
Christian Klippel Muse Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ruhr Area in Germany Posts: 653	Hello BenBurch, wow, that was a quick answer Sounds good, probably i'm trying that then. Using a thick blankie an my lap helps against the claws while fiddling with his ear ( lot's of groaning when even holding him). Forgot to mention in the OP that he also doesn't like strangers, he goes hiding when someone else is around. Dunno why he has choosen me, he's pretty shy otherwise. That's another reason why a home visit from a pet isn't that good an option. Again, thanks for the tip. Greetings, Chris
	__________________ Humber-physics 101: The treadmill has no ground equivalent. This means that the belt is not the road, but the Earth. ... That means the belt is also a privileged and unique perspective. If not then the treadmill collapses to the real world equivalent of a real treadmill, with different objects at different velocities in the same frame. Either way, no motion. Last edited by Christian Klippel; 20th November 2009 at 03:46 PM.

20th November 2009, 03:55 PM	#4
MikeMangum Muse Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 616	I used to do pesticide application for trees and shrubs and our mix contained mineral oil specifically to smother insects and mites, so BenBurches' advice certainly sounds plausible.
MikeMangum Muse Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 616

20th November 2009, 04:16 PM	#5
AlBell Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 196	I've had success with Hydrogen Peroxide swabbed in kitty's ears.
AlBell Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 196

20th November 2009, 04:21 PM	#6
Yuri Nalyssus Muse Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Ancient Isle of Avignuon Posts: 594	Originally Posted by AlBell I've had success with Hydrogen Peroxide swabbed in kitty's ears. That could be highly irritant or worse, so could mineral oil, it could also be toxic, esp if there's a perforated ear drum. If there is marked irritation take your cat to the vet - nipping this in the bud by treating early is almost certainly your cheapest option, anything else could be false economy. Cheers, Yuri
	__________________ "The test of democracy is freedom of criticism." -David Ben-Gurion Peasant: Now we see the violence inherent in the system. King: Shut up! Peasant: Come and see the violence inherent in the system, help, help! I’m being repressed! King: Bloody peasant! Peasant: Ooh, what a giveaway, did you hear that... that’s what I’m on about, d’you see him repressing me? You saw it didn’t you... - Monty Python and The Holy Grail

20th November 2009, 04:34 PM	#7
Epok Thinker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Birmingham, Al Posts: 184	If you are having that much trouble taking your cat to the vet then you might could try talking to your vet about using Ketamine. with about 1cc it should knock your cat out for about 45 minutes or so. That might be enough time to get him to the vet. I think you have to get a 'script for it though.
	__________________ "The internet is a playground and I would not have it any other way." David Thorne

20th November 2009, 04:36 PM	#9
Christian Klippel Muse Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ruhr Area in Germany Posts: 653	Originally Posted by Epok If you are having that much trouble taking your cat to the vet then you might could try talking to your vet about using Ketamine. with about 1cc it should knock your cat out for about 45 minutes or so. That might be enough time to get him to the vet. I think you have to get a 'script for it though. Ketamine? Isn't that used as horse tranquilizer? I'll keep that in mind in case i really have to take him to the vet. Greetings, Chris
	__________________ Humber-physics 101: The treadmill has no ground equivalent. This means that the belt is not the road, but the Earth. ... That means the belt is also a privileged and unique perspective. If not then the treadmill collapses to the real world equivalent of a real treadmill, with different objects at different velocities in the same frame. Either way, no motion.

20th November 2009, 04:58 PM	#10
Lisa Simpson THE Lisa Simpson Administrator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 123 Fake Street Posts: 14,831	My son was given ketamine as a sedative, twice (second cat thread, second reference to my middle son). Anyway, there are OTC mite treatments you can buy at any major pet megamart. Mineral oil is probably cheaper and equally effective.
	__________________ In any dispute the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the stakes at issue. - Wallace Sayre Facts are satanic litter on the heavenly highway to blind faith! - Betty Bowers

20th November 2009, 05:04 PM	#11
Christian Klippel Muse Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ruhr Area in Germany Posts: 653	Hello Lisa, Originally Posted by Lisa Simpson My son was given ketamine as a sedative, twice (second cat thread, second reference to my middle son). Anyway, there are OTC mite treatments you can buy at any major pet megamart. Mineral oil is probably cheaper and equally effective. sorry, on this side of the pond there is nothing available for that as OTC. I looked around and asked, even in a pharmacy, but to no avail. All the stuff for that is prescription only. Greetings, Chris
	__________________ Humber-physics 101: The treadmill has no ground equivalent. This means that the belt is not the road, but the Earth. ... That means the belt is also a privileged and unique perspective. If not then the treadmill collapses to the real world equivalent of a real treadmill, with different objects at different velocities in the same frame. Either way, no motion.

20th November 2009, 05:28 PM	#12
AlBell Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 196	Originally Posted by Christian Klippel Hmm, i'm sceptical about using H2O2. For one, i only have H2O2 at 35% here, that would probably get rid of the whole ear. Then, i'm not sure that it would dissolve the dirt, mineral oil seems better at that. The stuff available in the US is 3%. Yours sounds like rocket fuel. Quote: The regular cleaning of his ear already had some effect, it got less and less dirt during the first week, with a somewhat stable "output" of dirt this second week. The "dirt" is earmites according to my vet. Hydrogen peroxide 3% doesn't dissolve them, just kills them and their offspring.
AlBell Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 196

20th November 2009, 05:47 PM	#13
Epok Thinker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Birmingham, Al Posts: 184	Originally Posted by Christian Klippel Ketamine? Isn't that used as horse tranquilizer? I'll keep that in mind in case i really have to take him to the vet. Greetings, Chris They probably use it on horses also but Ketamine is what my bobcat breeder suggested I use to get him calm enough to put a harness on him. He is only about 25 pounds at 6 months old so he still isn't much bigger than a housecat. She said that Ketamine won't make him go to sleep but it just relaxes his muscles so he doesn't squirm or go nuts. She recommended only 1 cc. I'm sure they use a lot more for horses.
	__________________ "The internet is a playground and I would not have it any other way." David Thorne

21st November 2009, 04:36 PM	#14
Estellea Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 193	How about running by the vet and picking up some Revolution? You get flea protection as well.
Estellea Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 193

21st November 2009, 05:28 PM	#15
Lucian Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 705	Originally Posted by Estellea How about running by the vet and picking up some Revolution? You get flea protection as well. Revolution also protects against heartworm, but it is expensive.
Lucian Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 705	__________________ …nealles druncne slog heorðgeneatas…

21st November 2009, 07:11 PM	#16
PbFoot Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 192	A quick pass through an autoclave will take care of the mites, guaranteed. -PbFoot
PbFoot Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 192

21st November 2009, 07:16 PM	#17
Lucian Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 705	Originally Posted by Epok They probably use it on horses also but Ketamine is what my bobcat breeder suggested I use to get him calm enough to put a harness on him. He is only about 25 pounds at 6 months old so he still isn't much bigger than a housecat. She said that Ketamine won't make him go to sleep but it just relaxes his muscles so he doesn't squirm or go nuts. She recommended only 1 cc. I'm sure they use a lot more for horses. There are also milder sedatives or calming agents that can be used on cats. The vet can prescribe something or you could give your cat a child's dose of Benadryl (diphenhydramine). You have a bobkitten? I want to see pictures.
Lucian Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 705	__________________ …nealles druncne slog heorðgeneatas…

21st November 2009, 07:24 PM	#18
bethgsd Student Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 44	Originally Posted by Christian Klippel Ketamine? Isn't that used as horse tranquilizer? I'll keep that in mind in case i really have to take him to the vet. Greetings, Chris If you give ketamine be careful. It apparently hurts like the dickens and the recovery can be rough on the animal. Something that might work better than a cat carrier is to put the cat in a pillow case. Won't help with the peeing all over the place after the vet visit though.
bethgsd Student Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 44

21st November 2009, 07:28 PM	#19
Lucian Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 705	Originally Posted by bethgsd If you give ketamine be careful. It apparently hurts like the dickens and the recovery can be rough on the animal. Something that might work better than a cat carrier is to put the cat in a pillow case. Won't help with the peeing all over the place after the vet visit though. After the vet visit, you could confine him to a small room (bathroom, for instance) for awhile, and put down newspapers and/or puppy training pads.
Lucian Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 705	__________________ …nealles druncne slog heorðgeneatas…