What does an ear mite look like on a sphinx cat? - briefly
Ear mites appear as tiny, white‑to‑gray specks that resemble dust or pepper grains, often visible at the entrance of the ear canal, accompanied by dark, crumbly debris and a strong odor. The surrounding skin may be reddened, inflamed, and produce excessive scratching or head shaking.
What does an ear mite look like on a sphinx cat? - in detail
Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) in a hairless cat present as tiny, translucent organisms about 0.2–0.3 mm long, resembling specks of dust or fine sand when observed under magnification. Their bodies are oval, with six short legs near the anterior end and a rounded posterior. In a dark‑field or dissecting microscope they appear pale‑gray to off‑white, sometimes showing faint movement.
The infestation produces characteristic material within the ear canal. A thick, dark brown to black crust forms on the ear’s inner surface; this crust consists of mite debris, dead parasites, and accumulated wax. The crust adheres tightly to the cartilage, creating a gritty, flaky texture that can be scraped off with a curette. In early stages the residue may be lighter, resembling fine, dry dandruff.
Clinical signs observable without instrumentation include:
- Persistent scratching or rubbing of the ears against objects.
- Head shaking and tilting toward the affected side.
- Redness and swelling of the external ear canal.
- A strong, unpleasant odor emanating from the ear.
- Visible accumulation of brownish, crumbly debris at the entrance of the ear.
When the ear is examined with an otoscope, the canal appears inflamed, with erythema of the skin and a moist, irritated lining. The mite population may be seen moving among the debris, especially when the light source is bright. In advanced cases the ear canal can become ulcerated, and secondary bacterial infection may develop, adding pus and additional foul smell.
Accurate identification relies on microscopic examination of collected ear crust. A slide prepared with a few grains of the material, placed in a drop of mineral oil, will reveal active mites with distinct leg segments and a ventral sucking organ. The presence of live mites confirms the diagnosis and guides appropriate topical acaricidal treatment.