Ear Mites? Looking for some treatments

So my little Kaylee has been suffering from ear mites. She went to the vet a few months ago, who put some mineral oil in her ears and cleaned them up. After that, she gave me two doses of Advantage Multi and told me to buy that instead of the Advantage Plus I have them on.

I think it got a little better with the Advantage Multi, but for this month, I've had her on the regular Advantage Plus and still have one dosage left for her next month. This stuff is WAY too expensive to stop using, so it's not an option. The Advantage Multi is also outrageously priced, especially for two cats, so I'm really hoping there are some things I can buy or home remedies to help her with her ears?

My vet used the mineral oil, but all I currently have is vegetable oil, olive oil, and neem oil. Would any of these work? If not, can I get mineral oil anywhere? Can I use regular Q-tips or should I get a special kind? Are there maybe over the counter ear drops or washes that have good result?

She really started shaking her head and scratching at her ears a lot last night, so I don't want her to be uncomfortable. They are a bit brown and gucky inside there, so I really want to clean them up.

Khaleesi doesn't seem to be effected as much, although I know they're contagious..

Are you sure it's ear mites?

When I went to the vet she said they were. And it's the same grubby brown stuff in her ears as it was when she got them cleaned. What else could it be?

It could be allergies or a yeast infection.  My vet always uses Revolution for earmites (as well as worms).  I would get her to the vet to make sure it's earmites before you do anything.

Hmmm. Well, I've heard of various infections but I honestly don't know much about them.

If Advantage Multi isn't working, maybe try Revolution?

Sometimes they get ear infections following ear mites.  WIth ear mites sometimes you can see little white specks on the brown.  I really do not know of a home treatment that will get rid of ear mites.  Advantage Multi should have worked for the ear mites.  But I know the vet I work for uses either Revolution or a topical anti parasitic drop.  Your kitty may need a topical anti-parasitic.

Poor Kaylee! I guess she's indoor/outdoor? The vet obviously didn't see any sign of infection when you were there, but there very well could be now. Sorry, but there's nothing else to do but take her back to the vet. 

My Little Hoot was, once upon a time, a feral who suffered terribly with ear mites. Eventually I was able to put Revolution on her for a couple of months in a row. That took care of the mites, but she developed a severe ear infection. Totally lost her equilibrium. Couldn't stand, couldn't eat, then she had a bad reaction to the antibiotics. She really had a hard time of it for awhile. Anyway, when she got so sick she became an indoor only cat, so no more mites. But it's more than 4 years later and she does still frequently suffer from itchy ears. We're working under the assumption that it's caused by an allergy and her ears are the most sensitive part of her anatomy. I really do believe that the infection and ongoing sensitivity are both results of the severe mite infestation almost 5 years ago. 

Hope all goes well for her. 

Wolfie305 said:

all I currently have is vegetable oil, olive oil, and neem oil. Would any of these work?

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Yes, food oils should also work on easier mite infection,  in the same way.    I dont know what  neem oil is.

My usual standard I do recommend is olive oil of good quality, ie cold pressed "virgin oil"... Home remedicum for surprising many problems.  What you dont use for the cat, you can use it in your own kitchen..

I suspect some would also try raw honey, or cocos milk-oil of high quality, but I dont have any own experience thereof.

If these do kill mites Im not sure, but they surely hasten the healing of irritations after them.

Call me a hippie, but I really believe natural remedies are the best in so many conditions I've come across with my 2 cats.  Every time I've given them synthetic medications, 100% of the time, they've reacted badly to them.

Just this week my vet prescribed Canaural (which has prednisolone in it) for a case of ear mites in my cat Simba, and within an hour or so his ear was flaming red and really irritated.  I had gone against my instinct in giving it to him and was so mad at myself when this happened.

So I went back to what I was originally using: coconut oil.  I've been cleaning them with an ear bud/Q-tip (gently) with some coconut oil on the end of it every day for a few days now and they're already remarkably better.  He is still itching every once in awhile but not nearly as much and I know that the oil will create an inhospitable environment for the mites while at the same time soothing and healing Simba's ears.  There's nothing in this oil that can harm him and this is what's most important to me.

My other vet (who I'll be going to from now on) told me that many of the synthetic ear mite medications rob the cat of it's natural environment within the ear and then other issues like yeast infections will often occur. 

Can you give us an update?  What did you end up doing and how is your kitty doing now?

Wolfie305 said:

So my little Kaylee has been suffering from ear mites. She went to the vet a few months ago, who put some mineral oil in her ears and cleaned them up. After that, she gave me two doses of Advantage Multi and told me to buy that instead of the Advantage Plus I have them on.

I think it got a little better with the Advantage Multi, but for this month, I've had her on the regular Advantage Plus and still have one dosage left for her next month. This stuff is WAY too expensive to stop using, so it's not an option. The Advantage Multi is also outrageously priced, especially for two cats, so I'm really hoping there are some things I can buy or home remedies to help her with her ears?

My vet used the mineral oil, but all I currently have is vegetable oil, olive oil, and neem oil. Would any of these work? If not, can I get mineral oil anywhere? Can I use regular Q-tips or should I get a special kind? Are there maybe over the counter ear drops or washes that have good result?

She really started shaking her head and scratching at her ears a lot last night, so I don't want her to be uncomfortable. They are a bit brown and gucky inside there, so I really want to clean them up.

Khaleesi doesn't seem to be effected as much, although I know they're contagious..

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I use olive oil in an eye dropper. Boy it loosens up the crud! I'd suggest extra virgin. It's lighter and should be easier on their ears. Have cotton balls handy and a not so good shirt on as the crud may fly out.

Single application of Advantage Multi, the second one with interval 3 weeks, solved problem for me, on 2 cats (one after another, not together). Washing and steam cleaning all surfaces at home, as with fleas, was a must.

Brown residue in ears once was not ear mites related (vet tested), herbal immune support (lifeGold by PetsWellbeing) helped.

I've used high quality olive oil in the past. It only worked for mild infestations that were caught quickly. If the infestation was out of control, it required a vet visit.

I think I'm dealing with ear mites too, in my new adoptee ...he was treated at the shelter 1 time, it says on his paperwork ...his ears seem a bit crusty down inside, but not real icky ...he scratches, and cries a bit while doing so ...although I wouldn't say he is scratching excessively - I do witness this several times a day.  So - the Advantage Multi or Revolution, will cure an existing infestation?  It's a topical treatment like Advantix, which goes on the skin once monthly?  Do I need a prescription for this?  And ...my cat will be indoors only ...so I would assume I don't need to keep him on this more then a couple/3 cycles? I figured I'd just ask in this fairly recent thread rather than start a new one - TY!

You need to get your kitty to the vet to see exactly what's going on as it could be a yeast infection in the ear or an ear infection.  Do NOT use anything over the counter!  You'll need something from the vet to take care of the problem.

I made him an appointment!  TY

Yay!  Keep us posted on the verdict.