What is the scientific name of the ear mite in cats? - briefly
The ear mite that infests domestic cats is scientifically named Otodectes cynotis. It belongs to the family Psoroptidae and is the primary cause of otitis externa in felines.
What is the scientific name of the ear mite in cats? - in detail
The ear mite that infests domestic felines is scientifically designated Otodectes cynotis. It belongs to the class Arachnida, subclass Acari, order Sarcoptiformes, family Psoroptidae. Adult mites are oval, measuring 0.3–0.4 mm in length, with a dorsoventrally flattened body and short legs adapted for clinging to the ear canal epithelium. Their gnathosoma houses chelicerae used to rasp skin and feed on cerumen and cellular debris.
The life cycle comprises egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult stages. Females lay 10–30 eggs per day on the ear canal surface; eggs hatch within 3–4 days. Larvae emerge with six legs, develop into eight‑legged protonymphs after 3–4 days, and progress to deutonymphs in another 3–4 days. Full maturation to reproductive adults occurs in 10–14 days under optimal temperature (22–25 °C) and humidity. The entire cycle can be completed in as little as three weeks, allowing rapid population expansion in infested ears.
Clinically, O. cynotis causes ceruminous otitis characterized by dark, crumbly debris (“ear wax”) mixed with blood, intense pruritus, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections. Diagnosis relies on otoscopic examination revealing motile mites or their translucent bodies, and on microscopic identification of collected crusts after washing the ear canal with saline solution.
Effective control measures include topical acaricides such as selamectin (12 mg/kg) or moxidectin (1 mg/kg) applied according to label intervals, and ear cleansers containing pyrethrins or organophosphate compounds for immediate mite removal. Systemic treatments—e.g., ivermectin at 0.2 mg/kg—provide additional coverage but require veterinary supervision due to species‑specific toxicity thresholds. Environmental decontamination of bedding and grooming tools reduces reinfestation risk.
Preventive strategies involve routine ear inspections during veterinary visits, maintaining dry ear canals, and applying prophylactic spot‑on products to high‑risk cats, especially those in multi‑animal households or shelters.