Additionally, the mites are easily spread to other pets within the household including cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, mice, ferrets, etc. Humans are not affected. The amount of scratching and shaking depends on the severity of the mite infestation . With more advanced infestation, the ear canals will bleed and either fresh or dried blood will appear inside the canal. Dried blood resembles coffee grounds.
Ear mites are very common, but still serious.
Left untreated, they severely damage the ear canals and eardrum and can cause permanent hearing loss. If mites spread out of the ears to other areas of the body, the animal may or may not scratch the area. Various commercial ear preparations are available to kill the mites. These products contain an insecticide, usually pyrethrin . Ear products without an insecticide will not kill the mites.