Ear mite
Otodectes cynotis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Subclass:	Acarina
Superorder:	Acariformes
Order:	Astigmata
(unranked):	Psoroptidia
Superfamily:	Sarcoptoidea (partim)[verification needed]
Genera
Several, including: Otodectes Psoroptes

Ear mites are mites that live in the ears of animals. The most commonly seen species is Otodectes cynotis.

Contents 1 Contagion 2 Consequences of infection 3 Treatment 4 Ear mites in rabbits 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Contagion

Ear mites spread rapidly, and can be transmitted from even brief physical contact with other animals. In pets, ear mites most commonly affect cats,guinea pigs, ferrets, and to a lesser extent dogs. Very rarely, humans can also be affected. Infected animals have a large amount of crumbly dark brown material in their ears. On close inspection, tiny white mites can be seen in the debris. Ear mites do not burrow as some mites do, but live within the ear canal.

[edit] 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.^[1] 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.^[2]

[edit] Treatment

Ear mite infection can be treated topically after removal of debris from the ear. Various antiparasitic medications are available for use in the ears. Households with multiple infected pets can be treated with oral or injectable ivermectin.^[2] There is also a product labeled for treatment of ear mites in cats known as selamectin that is used on the skin and lasts for one month.

[edit] Ear mites in rabbits

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 injections of ivermectin and frequent cleanings of the rabbit's environment.^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ "Ear Mites and Health Care for Cats and Dogs". PetsMD. http://www.petsmd.com/cats-and-dogs/Ear-Mites.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Griffin, Craig E.; Miller, William H.; Scott, Danny W. (2001). Small Animal Dermatology (6th ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-7618-9. 
3. ^ Hillyer, Elizabeth V.;Quesenberry, Katherin E. (1997). Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery (1st ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-4023-0. 

[edit] External links

• Ear Mites FAQ from The Pet Health Library
• Cattle ear mites