Q: "My cat's date of birth was 7/1/23. Somehow, I ended up purchasing a very ill kitten from a private owner. I called him Pumpkin, and when I picked him up, it was at night in the pouring rain, so I ...

Cats clean themselves, so cat ear cleaning is usually not needed. However, some cats are more likely to experience wax buildup and ear infections. If you have concerns about your cat’s ears, talk to ...

Q: My new kitten Nala has ear mites, for which my veterinarian prescribed treatment. I know from reading your column that some animal parasites also infect people. Can Nala's ear mites jump to me?

“My cat has ear mites!” is heard frequently at my clinic. Ear mites are microscopic, spider-like parasites that live in the ear canals of pets. These mites can also infect dogs, but they are not ...

You’ve noticed your feline friend acting odd lately. Maybe they have been shaking their head a lot or scratching at their ears. Perhaps you’ve even spotted some yellow or black ear discharge or ...

The classic dark, waxy discharge is a hallmark sign of ear mites. Severe itching is often caused by an allergic reaction (hypersensitivity), not just the mites themselves. Symptom severity does not ...

Q Do dogs get ear mites? How are they treated? A We tend to associate ear mites with cats, but dogs (and ferrets) can and do get them, especially as puppies. Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are tiny ...

I've read that if a pet has ear mites, these mites can travel to bedding and furniture and potentially attach themselves to a human host. I also understand that you don't need your own pet to be at ...

While my cat is old and likely to have things go wrong, I am seeking advice on how to handle his head shaking. My cat is 16, and he has been shaking his head for the last two to three weeks. I have ...