Bugs on my cat's ears

My 2 cats have bugs on their outer ears. They're definitely not fleas. I did pull them off with my finger nails and "squished" them. They tend to stick to the skin. I thought that they were ticks but I've never seen one engorged like one. I'm reading about mites and they're in the inner ear.  I do have a picture of the bugs on my cats ear but I'm not able to attach a photo or I'm not looking at the "icons" properly to be able to?

My cats normally have Advantage. When I thought they were ticks I put on feline Frontline but, the bugs are still there. I try and pull off and kill as much as I can but the cats aren't patient with me and don't want their ears fussed with. They're dark brown to black looking dots that are about 1/16 of inch or something like the size of a flea. Some of the ones that I've squished between my nails have had blood. I even bought flea and tick spray and put some on a cotton ball and dabbed the ear...didn't phase the bugs and they still get new ones after I've killed what was there.

I have 3 senior dogs that aren't affected by these parasites.

Unfortunately, we're one of the statistics here...Unemployed and funds are extremely limited, otherwise I would have taken them to the vets right away.

Does anyone have any suggestions? 

Thanks for any Information!

Gee..... I wonder what these are..... if they are not moving around, sounds like it could be ticks rather than fleas!
Please do not put flea spray - it can seriously harm your babies!!
Get some Food grade Diatomaceous earth and sprinkle on them - you can also sprinkle all over the house - it is very cheap and safe - just make sure it is FOOD SAFE. It will kill the bugs right up.....

I agree on not using over the counter flea spray. The thing is both Advantage and Frontline should be doing the trick here if it is fleas or ticks.

I'm wondering what they are. If you want to upload an image, the image icon is the second one from the right, just below "full page editor". Hope that helps.

Thanks Carolina and "Pushylady!" (cute name!)  I was concerned about the over the counter and just put a little on a cotton ball gently put it on their ears.

I have a picture though not the best. These little bugs I believe are not mites...they're single bugs that are attached to their ears and only on the ears well, there were a few on Willy's belly where there isn't a lot of fur but no where else.

I'll try and put a photo on!  Thank-you!

What is your thought on this Food-grade diatomaceous earth (this is what I found when I googled it)

A:  I use it myself on my dogs. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a desiccant, and when it is rubbed on a tick, it scratches the surface, causing the tick to release its hold on the animal. Food-grade DE is generally available at feed stores. Do not buy or use DE sold for swimming pool filters. This form is not effective as an insecticide and, when inhaled, can cause silicosis, a deadly lung disease. Diatomaceous earth is abrasive to the lungs and eyes, so use proper personal protection when using this product.

If you don't want to use diatomaceous earth for some reason, you can spray Greenbug for Pets on your dog. It will effectively and safely kill the ticks (or fleas) they have. It's available at www.greenbugallnatural.com.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/13/DDSG1NHGGR.DTL#ixzz1r6S6KBIr

Will this Food-grade diatomaceous earth be harmful to my elderly dogs who lie in the house....If the above is true how would you rub it on the bug?  Can I put this in my yard too and not harm my chicken who scratches on the ground to get tasty bugs?  My 2 kitties like to lie out there too?

Sounds like a GOOD product but I don't understand how to use it properly...any thoughts?

**as of this writing I haven't opened the link to the greenbugallnatural.com, I was interested in the Food-grade diatomaceous earth

****Any thoughts on what the bugs are????

They look like very early stage deer ticks.

get the DE and use it, it does work, I use it myself.

Use it like flea powder, just try to keep kitty faces covered to prevent them inhaling it.

You can even use it outside safely, and it can be safely ingested by animals and humans as long as it is Food Grade.

Thank-you for the information!

Treat all of your animals with the DE, and as soon as you are able, a vet check is in order for the cats, as deer ticks are disease carriers.

My cats have these too! They get them only in my moms backyard. They are not deer ticks as someone else has said. They look identical to fleas, not even remotely like ticks. I can't figure out exactly the species either. Ive tried all the stuff posted on here already and no luck. only way ive found to keep them off is not let them outside at my moms because my cats are staying there right now. Its crazy. They look like fleas, stick like ticks, have the colors like fleas, get bigger the more they drink blood and pop just like fleas. I know thats gross but when you are trying to get rid of something you stop at nothing.
 

Any more ideas?

these things have traits of a tick but it is more from the flea family than tick side. i promise that. someone help me though ive researched so much and got nothing!

I would take them to the vets and let him have a look and see what he suggest you use to get rid of them..
 

Hercules had these when I first brought him inside. I think my vet called them ground fleas. He gave Hercules one treatment of Revolution and that seemed to do the trick. I did pick off as many as I could first, and never saw any new ones. I think Revolution is something you can only get through a vet with a prescription. You might call your vet to see if they would be willing to supply you with the Revolution without you having to bring the cat in for a regular appointment. It wouldn't hurt to try the diatomaceous earth as well.

I actually think they are a form of tick. Cats ears are vulnerable to ticks though it is unusual for htere to be so many. I do know that many places are experiencing plagues of ticks this year because of unusual weather conditions. They can carry some nasty diseases so it is important to get them off. Can you pick them all off and isolate the cats till you know where they are picking them up from?

These fleas are sticktight fleas. They are commonly found on poultry but have been known to be on cats, dogs, horses and pigs. you can look on the internet to find what you can use to get rid of it.
 

there ear mites ..just pop to your petshop and get some eardrops clears up really quickly and isnt too pricey ..my cat got them whe she was about 4 mnth old hope this helps

Diatomaceous earth kills insects and other parasites by scratching and damaging the protective cuticle that covers their body. This damage causes the creature to dehydrate over a period of hours or days until it finally dies. This same effect damages human skin,(like tiny pieces of glass, it can be horrific inside a cat's ears! The damage to inside of soft tissue would be terrible. Ask you vet!  causing dry hands when used without gloves or other protection. Diatomaceous earth also irritates the user's eyes, so protective goggles are recommended. Wash hands with soap and water if affected. Rinse eyes with clean water and remove contact lenses. Don't mean to start out making anyone angry but I'm not a fan! it may get rid of some pests but... what it does to skin is horrific. and if it gets into eyes, look to see a blind kitty with great pain not fixable. Frontline plus no longer works at least in the US. Vectra for cats is the best now. I'd be keeping my cats inside.

YES! Revolution is a great idea!

revolution gets rid of ear mites, fleas, regular mites, ticks all of em

yes, i'd use ear mite drops and the Revolution because the Revolution takes care of other icky creatures to boot. This may sound wierd but coconut oil, the virgin stuff rubbed on won't hurt too. if the cats licks it, it's ok too. not toxic for them.

looks like huge ear mites too. the ear mite drops one suggested is good plus the Revolution. and i'd put some virgin coconut oil onto the places they are. i take it the cats go outside.