Dr. Dan Christian specializes in small animal medicine, with special interests in behavior and nutrition. He has been instrumental in establishing animal behavior residencies for veterinarians at leading veterinary schools and developing innovative programs with veterinary organizations in the United States. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. During his professional career, Dr. Christian earned the American Association of Feline Practitioners Award. He has also appeared as a guest on television and radio pet health programs nationwide, and to has authored numerous articles for pet health magazines.

Q: I have a little kitten who is just about three months old. She shakes her head a lot and puts her one ear down. Do cats have ear mites, and if so, how can I tell and what can I do?

A: Cats, and especially kittens, do get ear mites -- resulting in an itchy ear and an accumulation of dark brown debris in the ear canal. Ear mites are very tiny, nearly microscopic parasites that are normally picked up from the soil, and are very contagious between cats. Since kittens generally have close contact when they are playing with other cats or kittens, ear mites are very often seen in this younger group.

The good news is that these mites are easily removed from the ear canal, and generally do not cause any long-lasting problems. To get rid of the mites, you must take your cat to a veterinarian. Your veterinarian may want to clean the debris from the ear canal, then prescribe a medication to kill the mites. The medication is very effective and safe for kittens, but the mites may come back if the kitten or cat continues to be exposed to the infested source. So always be on the lookout for your kitten or cat scratching at the ears, ear tips pulled back, or clumps of dark debris forming in the ear canal. Any or all of these signs may indicate and ear mite problem and require a trip to your veterinarian.