Help litter of kittens and ear mites

I have four cats of my own...


I rescued 3 kittens about 6-8 weeks old from under a friends shed with the intention of taking them to the HS so they will be adopted out spayed or neutered. 2 of the kittens are strong enough to go to a shelter environment for adoption but 1 is not. She is obviously the runt and very tiny, thin and not feeling well at all. She does get up to eat but that is about it. She's not throwing up and stools look good but she needs a couple weeks in a home environment and a vet

I'm sure they all have worms (big tummys) and ears are very crusted on the inside (mites).
Kittens are in the bathroom, my cats have run of the house and there has been no contact at all.

Question: how are ear mites transmitted and can my cats get ear mites from the kittens from my clothes or will ear mites travel under a crack in the door? I'm trying to be very very careful washing my hands and throwing all paper plates and fecal matter out the door as soon as its bagged but can I carry the mites on my clothes?

They are at least 6 w now, so it means they can get anti-parasite help. (vets are often reluctant dewormers with small kittens).

Whatever you do, begin with it. Ask this vet you are talking about...


Most OTC anti-parasite agents arent safe for cats, so we at the Forums always warn about OTC.
Although we have heard some of the safe ones are now sold OTC, like Revolution - if you dont know yourself for sure which - do ask this vet. Phone if you dont afford a regular visit.

Btw, you do have residents. So you do surely have also a household vet. I presume a visit costs, but you can always phone him without feeling the least embarrased.


Good luck!

I honestly don't know if the mites could actually hitch a ride on you and then make their way to your other cats. I've wondered about it myself in the past, but I couldn't find an answer to that specific question. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably err on the side of caution. As StefanZ says, you could always ask your vet about treating the resident cats with the appropriate monthly topical until the issue is resolved.