What is cat ear scabies? How is it treated?
Cat scabies is a disease of the cat’s ears caused by a parasitic mite, Octodectes cynotis. It causes itching and discomfort for the animal, so it is imperative that a cat scabies treatment be carried out (cat treatment available from vets).
Ear mites in cats and dogs are a contagious disease caused by a parasite (from the mite family) called Otodectes cynotis. It causes intense itching, which is characteristic of this form of otitis externa. The presence of blackish earwax is also very suggestive. The infection may extend deep into the ear. Animals, especially cats with very sharp claws, can seriously injure themselves by scratching, sometimes to the point of bleeding.
It is therefore essential to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible in order to provide appropriate treatment.
What is the best treatment for scabies? Are there any natural treatments? Can I buy scabies medication at the pharmacy? What is the price of the treatment?
Ear scabies can have many consequences, such as the development of ear infections and other ear infections, as well as the growth of bacteria or yeast in the earwax. This is why it is important to take care of your cat’s ears on a daily basis.
How is cat ear disease diagnosed?
If your cat is frequently scratching its ears and shaking its head, or if you notice brownish redness and abnormal discharge from the ears, it may have a cat ear disease. Of these diseases, ear mange is the most common, but it may be an infection by another parasite.
In order to set up a suitable treatment for cat mange, it is necessary to take your cat to a veterinarian, who is the only one who can differentiate between the different infections and provide you with a cat treatment that is adapted to the type of parasite involved.
Treating cat ear infections with scabies
To treat cat ear disease, the cat should be taken to the vet who will perform tests to determine the origin of the infection. If it is cat scabies, the vet will treat the cat with an otological acaricide to eliminate the parasite and an ear antiparasitic to prevent a relapse. The cat’s treatment lasts on average 8 to 10 weeks.
To prevent the onset of cat ear diseases, you can also provide an ear solution that will gently clean and maintain perfect hygiene of your faithful companion’s ears.
Principles of good scabies treatment
Once your vet has diagnosed your dog or cat with scabies, there are a few things you should do to treat it properly.
-Firstly, cleaning the ears first.
In most cases, the vet will prescribe an ear cleaner. It is therefore very important to clean your cat’s or dog’s ear canals, in order to remove accumulated debris and at the same time many of the parasites. This will not only provide faster relief for your pet, but will also facilitate the penetration of the treatment products.
-Secondly, the duration of the treatment.
It is important to respect the duration of the treatment. Even if after 7 days your pet does not show any signs, you must continue the treatment for another 2 weeks (3 in total, corresponding to the length of the parasite’s life cycle). An animal that appears to be cured may be carrying scabies and could either pass it on to other animals or become reinfected.
-Third, treat all animals.
Since it is a highly contagious disease, it is essential to treat all dogs, cats and ferrets in the house or animals that have been in contact with them.
Although this parasite lives and breeds exclusively in the ear canal or sometimes on the skin of animals, it is prudent at the beginning of treatment to clean your home and wash blankets and baskets. This parasite can survive in the environment for up to 12 days.
What medicines are available to treat scabies?
To date, there are several treatment options for scabies. Most of the time, the veterinarian will perform a microscopic examination to allow direct visualization of the parasites. Don’t hesitate to ask the vet to look under the microscope: you may be surprised at the size and liveliness of the little bugs that have invaded your dog or cat’s ear. Treatment can take quite a long time and usually more than one drug is needed, which can add to the cost, so don’t wait too long before seeking advice!
The classic treatment consists of instilling a parasiticidal ear preparation according to the dosage, frequency and duration indicated on the instructions. If there is a secondary bacterial otitis, the veterinarian will prescribe an ear solution that also contains an antibiotic: these components can be mixed in the same bottle to facilitate their administration.
A second option is to use a pipette containing a so-called “systemic” antiparasitic, i.e. one that acts on the whole body, including the ears. It is applied to the base of the neck twice at one month intervals, as if to treat a flea infestation. The effectiveness of the treatment can be optimised if it is administered 4 times every 2 weeks. In this case, the care of the ears will be limited to cleaning, which is necessary to remove the black wax.
Finally, there is an injectable scabies treatment, used in cattle, which can be prescribed if no local treatment (ear drops or antiparasitic pipette) can be administered. It is very rarely used because of the side effects, especially in collie breeds and kittens, and because it has no regulatory approval for use in dogs or cats.
Are there natural treatments for scabies?
The use of essential oils for the treatment of ear scabies has been mentioned in scientific journals. So far, there is only one experimental study conducted on this subject with results that seem promising. Specifically, ozonated olive oil, marjoram essential oil and garlic essential oil were tested in 28 cats with scabies. The results showed that these oils can be effective if instilled directly into the ears for 10 days. However, it is worth mentioning that the speed and efficacy was better for cats that had received parasiticide ear drops (conventional treatment). In dogs, thyme, oregano and garlic essential oils seem to be effective against ear problems but there are no studies using essential oils against dog ear mange.
Finally, just because these products are of natural origin does not mean they are safe: there are essential oils that are toxic to animals.
Is scabies contagious?
Ear scabies is very contagious and can be easily transmitted from one species to another. This means that it can be transmitted by simple contact from cat to cat, dog to dog and vice versa. Cats and dogs living in a community (kennel, shelter, boarding kennel, etc.) are generally more affected. The mother can also transmit scabies to her offspring.
However, there is no risk of contamination from the animal to humans. Dr Lopez confirmed this in 1993 when he put mites directly into his ears. The parasites survived for a few weeks, giving him insomnia, but they could not reproduce and eventually died.
