The last two legs are very small. This stage has cup-like structures on the front four legs and long setae on the hind two legs. Ear mites are found wherever their host animals occur. These mites have also been collected from the ears of foxes, ferrets, and hedgehogs. Crusts of earwax and blood form in the auditory canal and outer ear.
Host animals scratch their ears excessively which causes loss of hair and scabbing.
Secondary bacterial infections sometimes cause fever, depression and sullen, ill-tempered behavior. The ears of infected animals have a noticeable foul odor. Heavily infected animals often shake their heads constantly or run in circles in the direction of the most heavily infected ear. The most spectacularly bizarre behavior occurs when heavily infected dogs or cats are brought out of the cold into a warm room. Symptoms tend to be less severe on older host animals.