Ear mite war - tactical suggestions requested

[exlibris]

Both our cats have ear mites – drat! The vet has given us CleanAural and we’ve used it three times now and removed quite a large amount of unpleasantness from their poor ears. I’m not sure if we’ve got the rotters yet. Basically we’re worried about poking down too deep and causing damage. Where possible we’re cleaning the ears with damp cottonwool to get rid of the gung as it emerges. Will the CleanAural get rid of the mites and we just have to keep removing the debris with cottonwool? After three applications administered over about a month should it have cleared up?

Our cats are very good with being manhandled (though their ears can move like someone dodging bullets in the Matrix), but it’s upsetting to see them be so suspicious of you when you try to stroke them afterwards.

[MarkB]

Maybe I have the wrong end of the stick, but I thought CleanAural was just a wash. Have they been given anything to kill the mites?

[Kay]

I knocked a really nasty infestation of earmites with one dose of spot-on Advocate for cats

widely available - just one example http://www.vetuk.co.uk/pet-meds-prescri ... s-c-21_702

[Lilith]

Urrghh and hope you defeat the little suckers!

I've cleaned out many a mucky ear in my time and the one guideline I've gone by is - blunt index fingertip, wrapped in a kleenex, nothing smaller than this. Sorry glam females you will have to tear off the nail but better safe than sorry

[exlibris]

Maybe I have the wrong end of the stick, but I thought CleanAural was just a wash. Have they been given anything to kill the mites?

I went with what they gave me. Perhaps they should have given me something else.

[exlibris]

I knocked a really nasty infestation of earmites with one dose of spot-on Advocate for cats

widely available - just one example http://www.vetuk.co.uk/pet-meds-prescri ... s-c-21_702

I use Effipro spot on for flea prevention......I've just looked and it says nothing about earmites MarkB looks like he's hit on something - maybe my vet just assumed our flea treatment covered earmites too.

Do you think I'd need to consult my vet before changing to this product?

EDIT: Doh! Of course I do - it needs a prescription! Argh, reading, it's so important

[exlibris]

Urrghh and hope you defeat the little suckers!

I've cleaned out many a mucky ear in my time and the one guideline I've gone by is - blunt index fingertip, wrapped in a kleenex, nothing smaller than this. Sorry glam females you will have to tear off the nail but better safe than sorry

I'll give it a go.....my nails care nothing for the wants of the fashion world!