Helping Kittens with Ear Mites
If a kitten is scratching at her ears, or shaking her head from side to side, it's possible that the kitten has ear mites. Ear mites are a microscopic pest that is transmitted from animal to animal, and they can cause a dark, waxy residue that resembles coffee grounds in the ear canal. Though ear mites are extremely small, their movement can be perceived with magnification. If you see or suspect ear mites, you'll need to bring the kitten to a veterinarian for treatment.
Ear mites are treated through a 2 step process that involves cleaning out the ears and applying a topical treatment that kills the mites. To clean, use an ear cleansing solution to remove as much of the dirt, wax, and residue as possible. Do so by placing a few drops of the solution into the ear, then gently rubbing the ear for 10-15 seconds to allow the solution to break up the discharge. Use a dry cotton ball or gauze pad to gently swab the moist residue out of the ear and repeat as needed.
Once the ear is cleaned out, apply the medication prescribed by your veterinarian, such as Revolution (be sure to use Revolution for kittens.) Depending on the severity of the mites, you may need to repeat treatment a number of times. Talk to your veterinarian about what treatment is right for the specific kitten!
