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?

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 ...

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 ...