Symptoms of Cat Ear Mites

The symptoms of cat ear mites are quite diverse. Firstly, the most obvious symptom is an abnormal increase in ear canal secretions, which are dark brown in color and accompanied by a foul smell. Sometimes, the secretions can even block the ear canal. Secondly, cats may also shake their heads and scratch their ears frequently due to itching, which can lead to bacterial infections and cause suppurative otitis externa and middle ear inflammation. Thick dark brown crusts can be seen in the external auditory canal. If there is an allergic reaction, the cat's ear canal mucosa may become red and swollen.

Early Symptoms

In the early stages of ear mites infection, the ear canal will produce reddish-brown or black secretions. At this time, the smell is not very strong, but the ear will feel dirty. External ear flaps may also show signs of hair loss. Meanwhile, the skin around the cat's ears may experience severe itching and local allergic reactions, even causing generalized itching. The cat may constantly scratch its ears or shake its head, and refuse inspection.

Symptoms in Severe Cases

When a cat has a severe ear mites infection, there will be a large amount of dark brown or brown secretions in the ear canal, which sometimes emits a foul smell. The cat will also frequently shake its head, scratch its ears, or rub against walls due to itching, causing the ears to become raw, deformed, and painful. In more severe cases, it can even cause encephalitis and some neurological symptoms, such as convulsions, circling, instability while standing, and frequent falls. Additionally, the cat's ears will be more sensitive to pain and refuse to be touched.