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Ask the Veterinarian/ear mites
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Question
I have a 5-month-old kitten who scratches his ears a lot. How can I tell if he has ear mites? He was born feral, but I took him in at eight weeks and he hasn't been outdoors since.
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Also, what do I do if he does have ear mites? And if he doesn't, can I prevent them?
Ear mites are bugs that live in the ear. If you can take some of the goo in the ear and put it on black paper, using a magnifying glass you might see the white bugs. A better solution would be to let your vet look with an otoscope and treat appropriately.
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Ask the Veterinarian
Answers by Expert:
Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf
Expertise
Dermatology and ear diseases of dogs and cats
Experience
I am the author of "Small Animal Ear Diseases; An Illustrated Guide" published by W.B. Saunders. I have over 25 years of clinical experience with a special interest in dermatologic conditions and ear diseases.
Organizations
American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology
Publications
Veterinary Forum
Veterinary Medicine
Waltham Focus
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