Preventing Fleas, Ear Mites, and Ringworm Printable Version

Fleas: The most common external parasite that infests cats is the flea. Fleas are small, wingless, blood-sucking insects that thrive in warm, humid environments. While the adult flea spends its entire life on the cat, the other three stages of the flea's life cycle (egg, larvae, and pupae) occur in the cat’s environment. To examine your cat for fleas, roll him over on his back and examine his abdomen, belly and around the base of his tail. You may recognize the small, fast-moving adult flea, as well as see flea "dirt", small black specks with an appearance similar to pepper. During the warm months of the year, examine your cat frequently for fleas. If your cat spends time out-of-doors, he is more likely to contract fleas and should be examined daily. Luckily, there are many oral and topical products available today that effectively prevent flea infestations and also control flea contamination of the indoor environment.

Helpful Tip!

Because cats can be adversely affected by many insecticides that are safe for use in dogs, always read labels carefully and select only products that are labeled specifically for use with cats. It is always wise to consult your veterinarian for advice when beginning a flea prevention or treatment program.

Ear Mites: Ear mites are a common cause of ear irritation and infection in cats. The presence of these tiny mites on the outer surface of the ear canal causes irritation and can result in secondary bacterial or fungal infections. Infected ears develop a dark brown, waxy discharge and the cat will repeatedly scratch at his ears and shake his head. If you suspect that your kitten has ear mites, your veterinarian should be consulted to make a compete diagnosis. Oil-based ear drops are usually prescribed to treat the mites, and antibiotic treatment may be necessary. Ear mites are highly contagious between animals, so other animals in your household should also be treated as a preventative measure.

Ringworm: Ringworm is not actually a worm at all, but rather is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin. Infected cats develop irregular or circular patches of hair loss, usually on the head, ears or extremities. Affected skin is often scaly and may be inflamed. Because skin changes caused by ringworm are similar to several other skin problems in cats, a veterinary diagnosis is always needed. Your veterinarian will provide systemic (oral) medications and/or topical treatments, along with advice for eliminating fungal spores from your cat’s environment.