Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ears of cats, dogs, and other animals. They are highly contagious and cause intense itching, crusty buildup, and inflammation in the ears. Ear mites are a common problem, especially among outdoor cats and dogs. But will ear mites go away on their own without treatment?
Do Ear Mites Go Away Without Treatment?
The short answer is no, ear mites will not go away without treatment. Ear mites can live for up to three weeks off of a host. So even if you thoroughly clean your pet’s ears, any eggs or mites that fall off can survive up to three weeks in your home before finding a new host.
Adult ear mites tunnel into the ear canal where they feed, lay eggs, and produce irritating waste. The eggs hatch into larvae in just 3-4 days and quickly mature into adults in about 10-12 days. So the mite life cycle continues rapidly.
Without breaking this life cycle through treatment, ear mites can proliferate and quickly reinfest your pet’s ears even if you try to clean them out. The intense itching also continues unresolved without medication to kill the mites.
Why Won’t Ear Mites Go Away On Their Own?
There are a few key reasons why ear mites will persist without treatment:
Rapid Life Cycle
Ear mites have a very quick life cycle of just 3-4 days from egg to larva and 10-12 days from larva to adult. They tunnel deep into the ear canal to feed, reproduce, and lay more eggs. This allows the infestation to quickly worsen even with attempts at cleaning.
Highly Contagious
Ear mites are extremely contagious between animals. They spread through direct contact but also via contaminated bedding or surfaces. If one animal in a home is infected, ear mites will quickly spread to other pets without proper treatment.
Intense Itching
The ear mites and their waste cause intense itching. Pets will scratch their ears vigorously, dislodging eggs and mites which then spread through the environment. This itching also causes damage that can lead to secondary ear infections.
Eggs Are Resilient
Even if you thoroughly clean your pet’s ears, any eggs that get dislodged can survive without a host for up to 22 days. During this time they can reinfest your pet.
Treatment is required to kill the eggs and interrupt the life cycle.
What Problems Do Ear Mites Cause?
Ear mites lead to several problematic symptoms, including:
– Severe itching of the ears
– Redness and inflammation
– Scratching and head shaking
– Brown discharge that looks like coffee grounds
– Crusty buildup in and around the ears
– Hair loss around the ears
– Unpleasant odor from the ears
– Ear hematomas (fluid-filled blisters) from scratching
– Behavioral changes due to discomfort
The intense itching and inflammation can also lead to bacterial or fungal secondary ear infections, especially if the skin becomes broken from scratching.
Does Treating the Environment Help?
While treating your pet’s environment is important, it alone will not eliminate an ear mite infestation. Here’s why:
Eggs Can Still Hatch
Even if you clean bedding, carpets, and surfaces thoroughly, any eggs that have been dislodged from the pet’s ears can still hatch and reinfest your pet.
Mites Can Live for 3 Weeks Off Host
Adult ear mites can survive for up to 22 days without feeding off of a host animal. During this time, they can still crawl onto your pet and cause reinfestation.
Mites Reintroduced Easily
Since ear mites spread so easily between animals through contact, if one pet is untreated, the mites can be reintroduced into the environment and infect other pets.
Medication Required
To fully break the ear mite life cycle, medication is needed. This kills the eggs, larvae, and adults living on your pet’s body and in the ears. Thorough cleaning alone does not kill the mites.
So while environmental treatment helps reduce exposure, prescription medication applied directly to your pet is required to eliminate an infestation and provide relief from symptoms.
How Are Ear Mites Normally Treated?
The standard way to get rid of ear mites is through the use of prescription parasite-killing (miticide) ear drops or topical medication. Common prescription medications for ear mites include:
Ivermectin
One of the most common prescriptions for ear mites is ivermectin, an oral or topical anti-parasitic medication. It can effectively kill ear mites with just one or two doses.
Selamectin
Selamectin (Revolution®) is a topical parasiticide applied between the shoulder blades. It kills ear mites and provides protection against reinfestation for a full month with just one dose.
Milbemycin Oxime
Milbemycin oxime (also sold under Interceptor®) is another oral parasiticide that can kill ear mites with a monthly dosage. It requires multiple doses one month apart to fully break the life cycle.
Pyrethrins
Pyrethrins are natural chemicals with insecticidal properties that can kill ear mites. Pyrethrin ear drops may be prescribed for mild cases of ear mites.
Pesticide Ear Drops
Prescription ear drops containing pesticides like fipronil, selamectin, or pyrethroids are often used for 2-4 weeks along with oral medication to eliminate a severe ear mite infection.
Combining prescription ear drops with an oral medication provides the most effective treatment. The ear drops kill the mites in the ears while the oral medication kills mites on the body and prevents reinfestation. Be sure to follow your vet’s dosage instructions carefully.
Are Home Remedies Effective Against Ear Mites?
Natural home remedies are often not as effective against ear mites as prescription medication. But here are some home remedies that may help provide some relief alongside medical treatment:
Mineral Oil
Applying mineral oil can help smother and remove some mites and eggs. But mineral oil alone will not kill them. It’s best used in combination with prescription medication.
Almond Oil
Almond oil helps soothe inflammation and may help loosen debris when applied to the ears. It does not kill mites though and should not replace prescription treatment.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The acidic apple cider vinegar can help create an unfavorable environment for mites. But it does not kill mites and is not a substitute for real medication. Never apply it undiluted.
Garlic Oil
Some people report success with applying very diluted garlic oil to the ears. The antiseptic effects may disrupt mites but garlic oil alone cannot cure an infestation without prescription medication.
Essential Oils
Certain essential oils like tea tree oil, lavender, or oregano may provide some soothing relief and antimicrobial effects. But they do not kill mites when used alone without proper medication.
While home remedies can temporarily supplement prescription treatments, they will not cure an ear mite infestation alone. Proper medical treatment is still required.
How Long Does It Take for Ear Mites to Go Away After Treatment?
With aggressive prescription treatment, ear mites can be fully eliminated in approximately 3-4 weeks. Here is the general timeline:
Week 1
– Prescription miticide applied
– Itching and inflammation begins improving
– Ear discharge and debris decreases
– Environment treated to prevent spread
Week 2
– Second dose of topical or oral medication applied
– Ears become less irritated
– Less head shaking and scratching
– Ear mites killed but eggs may hatch and require repeat treatment
Week 3
– Third dose applied in severe infestations
– Itching and irritation continue to resolve
– Ear discharge minimal
– Most mite eggs and larvae also dead
Week 4
– Itching and inflammation significantly improved
– Ears completely clear of discharge, odor, and debris
– No evidence of live mites with examination
– Ear mite infestation eliminated
You should notice a reduction in symptoms within the first 1-2 weeks as the adult mites are killed. But repeat doses are critical to kill newly hatched eggs and ensure complete elimination of the infestation.
Be diligent with the full treatment course and avoid reexposure to infected animals to ensure ear mites are fully gone within a month.
Can Ear Mites Return After Treatment?
Unfortunately, yes ear mites can return after treatment if:
– Medication was not applied thoroughly or long enough to kill all life stages.
– Your pet comes into contact with another infested animal.
– Bedding or environment was not properly sanitized.
– Another pet in the home was not treated.
To prevent ear mites from returning:
– Strictly follow your vet’s prescribed dosage and duration of medication
– Treat all pets in the household
– Thoroughly wash bedding, vacuum, and sanitize environments
– Avoid contact with strays or pets with unknown health status
– Ask your vet about monthly preventatives
With aggressive initial treatment and continued prevention, recurrence of ear mites can be avoided in most cases. But elminating reexposure is key.
Are Ear Mites Contagious to Humans?
Luckily, ear mites are species-specific parasites that require a canine or feline host to survive. So while ear mites are extremely contagious between pets, they cannot spread to or infest humans.
That said, humans can transport ear mites on clothing or skin and accidentally spread them between pets. So good hygiene precautions should be taken when interacting with a pet that has ear mites.
Wash your hands after touching affected animals, avoid nuzzling them, and change clothes after treating your pet’s ears. This will help prevent accidentally transmitting ear mites within your home. But the mites cannot live or reproduce on human hosts.
Key Takeaways
– Ear mites will not go away without prescription treatment. Their life cycle allows rapid proliferation without medication.
– Thorough environmental cleaning alone will not cure an infestation if the pet is not properly treated.
– Prescription topical and oral miticides are required to fully eliminate ear mites and provide symptom relief.
– Natural remedies can provide some soothing effects but cannot substitute for proper medical treatment.
– With aggressive prescription treatment, ear mites can be cured within approximately 3-4 weeks.
– Preventing reinfestation requires treating all pets in the home, sanitizing the environment, and avoiding exposure to infected animals.
– While highly contagious between animals, ear mites cannot infest or be spread by humans.
The bottom line
Ear mites will not resolve without appropriate veterinary treatment. Over-the-counter natural remedies can temporarily supplement prescription medications but cannot cure an infestation alone. Working closely with your vet to implement aggressive prescription treatment, thoroughly decontaminate the home environment, and take steps to prevent reexposure offer the best chance for successfully eliminating ear mites.