Don't stop treating ear mites

By Dr. John KochQ.: I have been having a terrible time with ear mites in one of my cats. I just cannot seem to get rid of them. I have tried several medications, and they all seem to work at first. However, after a while the mites always come back. Is there a secret to getting rid of ear mites?

A.: Often people have problems getting rid of these pesky pests because they discontinue treatment too quickly. There are a number of pyrethin-based preparations that will kill the adult mites, however, these medications do not kill the eggs. It is possible for mite eggs to take several months to hatch. Many people treat their pets for weeks during with they kill all the adult mites. Once the adult mites are killed, the pet is so much improved that they think the problem is gone and they discontinue using the medication.

The adult mites may be gone; however, there are still living eggs present. When these eggs begin to hatch, the ear scratching, head shaking and general aggravation again become noticeable.

To get rid of ear mites using a pyrethin medication, treat twice each week for a period of two months. The eggs should have all hatched within that time period and will have been exposed to the insecticide. This exposure can be expected to kill the mites before they mature and begin laying new eggs. Once all the eggs are hatched and killed, your problem should be eliminated.

Many veterinarians advocate the use of a flea spray or powder applied to the body of the pet once each week. Control of chronic ear mites infestations may also be aided by the use of an environmental treatment, such as a spray or fogger, two times two to four weeks apart.

There are a couple of new ear mite treatments now available that have different active ingredients that are in the ivermectin family and will usually eliminate ear mites within one or two applications.

Dr. Koch is a Cape Girardeau veterinarian.