Can you identify this parasite? If you guessed Scabies, you would be close. This parasite is in the same family of mites - it's the pesky EAR MITE.
These little critters feed on the lining of the ear canal causing an intense inflammation. The ear responds to this inflammation by producing an excess of wax which leads to secondary infections of the ear with yeast and bacteria which thrive in the waxy environment.
Ear mites are very active little creatures that are highly contagious from pet to pet. The mites prefer the dark moist environment of the ear canal but can sometimes be found on the head, neck and feet of the pet. This happens when the mites become dislodged by the pet shaking it's head and scratching at the ears. This is how they can then be transferred to another pet. If one pet in your family has them, it won't be long before others become infected.
Cats are most commonly affected by these mites and cats that go outdoors are at greatest risk. If your cat has a significant amount of dark wax in the ears, mites are the most likely cause. If you try to "scoop out" some of the cat's wax with a Q-tip you will noticed a severe itching response from an infected cat.
Dogs can also be affected but this is much less likely that with cats. Most dogs with wax in the ears have either yeast or bacterial infections unrelated to ear mites. Blindly treating your dog's ear problem with ear mite drops is almost always unsuccessful.
Early signs of infection are increased shaking of the head and scratching of the ears. More advanced signs of infection include excessive wax accumulation and painful infection of the ears. If any of these signs are observed your pet should be examined and treated as soon as possible.
There are several therapies available for the treatment and prevention of reinfection for both cats and dogs that can be tailored to your pet's lifestyle and your ability to medicate your pet's ears.
If you suspect your pet has ear mites or any other problem with it's ears, call and schedule an appointment ASAP. The longer the problem goes untreated, the more difficult the problem will be to resolve. Your pet will thank you for taking care of this uncomfortable pesky problem.
