The common ear mite is a tiny organism that resembles a tick. They can infect many species of animals, but are prevalent in the feline population. Infestation causes the animal to scratch at the ears. When dealing with ear mites, it can be helpful to understand their life cycle.
White adult mites can sometimes be seen in the ears under close inspection, however sometimes a microscope is necessary to confirm their presence. They breed and live inside the ears, living on oils, debris and ear tissue. Most spend their lifetime in the host's ears, but can sometimes be found on the fur outside the ears and on the face. Females lay about five eggs each day in the ear tissue.
After a four day incubation period, the eggs hatch into larvae, which also survive on material within the ear. After several days, they begin to molt into the next stage, which is the nymph. There are two stages to the nymph part of the life cycle, the first is the protonymph, and is followed by the deutonymph.
The deutonymph has an undetermined sex. Whether it will be a male or female is determined following it's mating with the male adult ear mite. Once mating has happened, the nymph will become a male, which then continues on to mate with other deutonymphs, or a female that will lay eggs as a result of the mating. This entire life cycle takes three weeks. The average lifespan of a mite is up to two months.
The appearance of a dark and waxy or crumbly substance within the ear can be a positive indication of ear mite infestation. An animal can pick up these pests from close contact with another animal that has mites. It can wreak havoc in homes with many pets. Boarding kennels and shelters can see large breakouts due to large animal populations.
A suspected case of these pests should be confirmed by a veterinarian. Once a positive diagnosis has been made, treatment of topical, oral or injected medication can be administered. All treatments must be done as prescribed by the vet, and may not be successful if not done as required, Failing to stop the life cycle will allow the mites to continue living and breeding in the ears. Animals that have scratched furiously may have areas of open skin and scratches that may require attention as well to avoid infections.
Having all pets in the home checked for mites is advisable, and if present, all should be treated in the same time period. If this is not done, the mites will spread from untreated animals and the life cycle of the mite will being again in another host.
White adult mites can sometimes be seen in the ears under close inspection, however sometimes a microscope is necessary to confirm their presence. They breed and live inside the ears, living on oils, debris and ear tissue. Most spend their lifetime in the host's ears, but can sometimes be found on the fur outside the ears and on the face. Females lay about five eggs each day in the ear tissue.
After a four day incubation period, the eggs hatch into larvae, which also survive on material within the ear. After several days, they begin to molt into the next stage, which is the nymph. There are two stages to the nymph part of the life cycle, the first is the protonymph, and is followed by the deutonymph.
The deutonymph has an undetermined sex. Whether it will be a male or female is determined following it's mating with the male adult ear mite. Once mating has happened, the nymph will become a male, which then continues on to mate with other deutonymphs, or a female that will lay eggs as a result of the mating. This entire life cycle takes three weeks. The average lifespan of a mite is up to two months.
The appearance of a dark and waxy or crumbly substance within the ear can be a positive indication of ear mite infestation. An animal can pick up these pests from close contact with another animal that has mites. It can wreak havoc in homes with many pets. Boarding kennels and shelters can see large breakouts due to large animal populations.
A suspected case of these pests should be confirmed by a veterinarian. Once a positive diagnosis has been made, treatment of topical, oral or injected medication can be administered. All treatments must be done as prescribed by the vet, and may not be successful if not done as required, Failing to stop the life cycle will allow the mites to continue living and breeding in the ears. Animals that have scratched furiously may have areas of open skin and scratches that may require attention as well to avoid infections.
Having all pets in the home checked for mites is advisable, and if present, all should be treated in the same time period. If this is not done, the mites will spread from untreated animals and the life cycle of the mite will being again in another host.
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