Ear mite

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

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 and 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.

Consequences of infection
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.

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. 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.

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.