Cat Ear Problems
90
Cat ear problems can change the way a cat behaves. A cat's hearing is one of their best developed senses and they can hear higher pitched sounds beyond the acute range of a dog. When a cat hears a sound they turn their head in the direction of that sound and rotate their ears to locate the angle of the direction. Since hearing is a significant function to your cat, anything that interferes with it can lead to serious Cat Health Problems.
Cats also have an amazing sense of equilibrium. This is due to a characteristic within their inner ear that allows them to adjust their body with great speed and agility. Thus, when dropped from a height in an upside-down-position a cat can readjust itself to land on it's feet. This, however, does not prevent them from getting injured when dropped from a substantial height. If you live above the ground floor, be sure to keep your windows covered with screens. Cats may jump, with little or no regard to heights.
When you give your cat a bath, make sure that no water gets into their ears. This can be prevented by inserting cotton wads inside their canals before bathing. If you need to apply anything, mineral or olive oil should be used when cleaning your cat's ears rather than an irritating solvent like ether or alcohol. Also, do not excessively clean your cat's ears as a routine. This can induce trama to the delicate surface of the ear canal.
I will briefly discuss here various ear problems that occur in the cat. If the ear problem that is present in your cat is not discussed here or if the cat is in a serious state always see a veterinarian before trying to solve the problem at home.
Bites and lacerations - Cats get into fights and can give or receive painful bites and scratches which are susceptible to infection. The ear flap is a frequent sight for this kind of damage. These type of wounds should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected. If the blood is not fresh they can be bathed with hydrogen peroxide solution (1 to 2 parts water) to remove dried blood and foreign particles. Then apply an antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin. If the wound is severe see a veterinarian.
Swollen ear flap - A swelling of the ear is usually due to an abcess or hematoma. Abscesses are more common, and usually occur after a fight or an irittative process like scratching of the ear. Abscesses are found below the ear and hematomas involve the flap. A hematoma is a blood clot under the skin and it can be caused violent shaking or scratching. Look for an underlying itchy ear disorder like ear mites or an infection involving the ear canal.
Ringworm - This is a fungus infection which affects the ear flap as well as other parts of the body. The usual appearance is that of a dry, scaly, hairless patch of skin. Hair is broken off at the skin surface. Ringworm does not cause itching like ear mites, and usually only one ear is involved.
Flea Infestation - Fleas usually feed on the skin of the ear flap. You may see the actual flea or just dried blood, that appear as black, crumbly crusts.
Ear mites - ear mite infections are one of the most common health problems seen in cats. Ear mites are tiny parasites that live on the surface of the skin of the ear canal. They feed by piercing the skin. Suspect ear mites when both of your cat's ears are infected. The most frequent behavior of a cat with ear mites is violent head-shaking and intense itching. Ear mites can most often be identified by removing some ear wax and placing it on a dark background. They will appear as white specks no larger than the head of a pin, which move.
Bacterial Infections - These are usually the result of infected scratches or bites. Some of these infections begin in the ear canal that contains an excessive amount of wax or foreign material. The most common sign of an infected ear canal is head-shaking and scratching at an itching ear. A cat might tilt their head down on the affected side and show pain when the ear is touched. Usually an examination reveals redness and swelling of the skin fold of the inner ear.
Fungus Infections - The presence of excess wax and moisture in the ear canal can lead to fungus infection. These are much less common in the cat than in the dog, because their ears are erect and get much more air. Signs and symptoms are not as pronounced as when the infection is caused by bacteria. The ear is less inflamed and less painful. A rancid odor is characteristic of a fungus infection.
Not all cat ear problems are discussed here, but those that are mentioned might help you to diagnose the existing problem.
References: The Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook by Delbert G. Carlson, D.V.M and James M. Giffin, M.D.
SEE Amazon Listings Below
- Cat Health Problems
Cat Health Problems can be determined from a cat's behavior more often than not. The major Cat Health Problems are hairballs, worms, vomiting, urinary tract infections, fleas, kidney disease,
Cat Ear Care Problems
- Cat Ear Cleaning, Problems, and Infections
WebMD discusses how to clean your cats ear, recognize ear problems in your cat, and administer ear drops.
Ear Mites in Cats
Mimi and those darn ear mites! She had ear mites here, and wouldn't stop scratching! at times her ear would bleed.. so, i had to find a way to stop it! and the thing on her foot was the solution i made! but God, did she hate it! (more) (less)
Cat Ear Problems
 | Amazon Price: $21.14 List Price: $34.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $19.90 List Price: $34.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $6.48 List Price: $12.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $10.49 List Price: $15.95 |
|
Merial Frontline Plus Flea/Tick Control Cats/Kittens 8 Months EPA Apprv'd(3,6)
Current Bid: $25.49
|
|
HARTZ CATS Ultra Guard PRO drops flea tick 6 MONTH SUPPLY treatment x2
Current Bid: $9.99
|
|
Frontline Plus for Cats&Kittens Flea&Tick Green 3 Month
Current Bid: $26.90
|
|
Petarmor For Cats and Kittens Kills Fleas, Ticks and Chewing Lice 3 month supply
Current Bid: $19.99
|
vote upvote downsharePrintflag
- Useful (5)
- Funny
- Awesome (1)
- Beautiful
- Interesting (1)
CommentsLoading...
Dani,
It sounds as though your friends cat's bacterial problem and your other cats problems could be independent of each other. If your vet subscribed ear drops for your friends cat, continue with them as long as your vet suggested.
I would also have your other cats and kittens checked for ear mites, with your vet if possible. Ear mites can most often be identified by removing some ear wax and placing it on a dark background. They will appear as white specks no larger than the head of a pin, which move. At times, ear mites leave the ear canals and travel out over the body. They are highly contagious to other cats and dogs that live together.
Also, there are many reasons that your kitten may be drooling and they are not all bad reasons. However, keep a close watch on the spasms. If your vet prescribed stomach medicine to calm him down, and he continues to spasm, after 1 day, either bring him back or see another vet.
Also, I'm not sure what you are referring to with "balloon string or the weeds/flowers/decoration flower around a rose in his throat." If you are afraid he might have swallowed any foreign substance, you should immediately return him to the same vet or another vet for a closer observation.
I have a problem. I came home today and saw my cat sitting there with one ear bent forward. Of course like a nervous "mom" I checked her ear out to make sure there was no cuts or anything else noticable. Nothing was there and I even checked to see if it was in pain on the outside with light pressure. Nothing. What else could this be? I did notice, however, that the whiskers that are above the eye of the opposite side were missing the longer ones. I don't know how long its been like that, but could that be the problem??
Any help would be great. Im just looking for any advice.
Luna's Mom,
Whiskers supplement a cat's keen sense of smell and hearing, and aid in the detection of air currents. They are of great importance in sensing and investigating objects close to them. A bent ear could possibly signal a cat's attempt to sense movements or air currents that can no longer be sensed by the missing whiskers, or it could signal an annoyance such as dust mites or ear mites among other things. Continue observing your cat. If the behavior continues, or if the cat appears uncomfortable you might want to visit a vet for a brief checkup so that you may get piece of mind.
I have an outside cat that got into a fight a while back and his ear has been bothering him ever since, he keeps scratching at it until it bleeds I keep cleaning it up and just as its about to heal he scratchs at it again. Is there anything I could put on it to stop the itching?
Mindy,
You can try an Aloe based product to soothe the itching. Many pet companies sell Hydrocortisone spray or cream that contains aloe. You might want to try the cream to see if that helps.
A good way of giving cats a tablet is to crush it mix with a little butter and smear it on your cats paw/leg, it will then wash it off and at the same time take the medication
I recently took my cat to the vet because she kept loosing her balance and they said it had something to do with the inner ear and that it will correct itself, is this something I should be worried about and is there anything I can do for my cat?
Inner ear infections can be serious (if that is what your cat has). I can not see how this vet could tell you that this condition will correct istself. You should wait several days, and if the condition persists return to the vet or go to see another one.
Amanda,
I am sorry, I did not finish my thought on the last comment. I meant to say "I can not see how this vet could tell you that this condition will correct itself, UNLESS HE/SHE HAS MORE EVIDENCE THAN JUST BASICALLY OBSERVING YOUR CAT"
i have a prob here . My cat (Comel) is having a swollen ear on her right ear. it really scares me. so what i did is compress it with warm water.. fortunately it reduced.i wonder what could i give first aid if it happen again in future? is there any oinment for wounded ear? thank you
faz - If your cat is in contact with other cats, the swelling might have come from a scratch in a fight. You said the swelling went down. If it reappears, and your cat Comel has not been in contact with another cat, take it to a vet just for observation and precautionary measures.
thanks hglick.
I am fostering kittens from the Humane Society. I bottle fed them since they were a few days old. They are ten weeks old now. I noticed one had a head tilt when it started walking good - that's when I noticed it. I took it to the Humane Society to have one of the veterinarians check it. He didn't have his ear scope on him so he just did what he could and couldn't see anything. He put stuff in her ears for mites, etc. I have not taken her to my vet. The Humane vet told me that it could be that her ear didn't fully develop and she'll continue to have the tilt. What is your experience with this? Thank You
I have not heard of an ear not fully developing. I have seen cases where ear mites closed or damaged the ear flaps in young kittens. I would observe her for a little while to see that she behaves normally and eats. If you notice any unorthodox behavior return her to the vet.
My cat Tiggy has ear mites and I bought some Mita Clear, however, I then found out it has pyrethrin in it and there are loads of websites that warn strongly against using products that contain this saying it is a poison to a cat. I only got the Mita Clear after reading a recommendation on a forum but now I don't know what to think when some say its a danger and other including the manufacturer say its good as a remedy. What are your thoughts on this please? And I read that mineral oil is a much safer remedy and works - is this true?
And do you have any tips for getting a cat to allow you to attend to their ears?
Bard of Ely,
I have not ever used Mita Clear on my cats in the past so I'm not sure of the effects of pyrethrin. My opinion is that this product, like many other treatments, is probably meant for limited use in the ears and in areas like the feet and tail. (where ear mites live as well as the ears).
My vet has always prescribed Tresaderm for my cats ears. This is a topical dropper solution which should be appied only after cleansing the area. It contains an antibiotic for any secondary bacterial infections, a cortisone derivative for the inflammation, and thiabendazole to kill yeasts and mites. This is an excellent ear product and is able to kill the developing mite eggs.
Mineral oil is good for your cat because it accomplishes 2 important things. First, it helps to dissolve ear wax and the fluids that may be clogging up your cat’s ear. Secondly, it smothers and kills the ear mites. However, it may have a limited effect on the eggs.
Always get the OK from a vet or an expert when applying any non-natural substances (other than mineral oil) to your cats ears.
My cat Gracie is very squeamish when I apply ear drops to her, and I've been scratched many times. I usually try to relax her by stroking her for several minutes before applying Tresaderm. Unfortunately she's already recognized the smell and hisses at me, when I go near her ear. My advice is to be as quick and gentle, as possible. Sometimes, you have to take your lumps and scratches.
Thanks for the advice and it seems there is no easy answer to this at all despite what some people claim. Yes, I have seen her spending a lot of time washing her feet and clearly irritated by something there so what you have said makes sense. It is very hard to get my cat to the vet here seeing as I live in a village, don't drive and buses and taxis do not allow dogs or cats. You mention your cat smelling the Tresaderm, well my Tiggy can smell the oil on my fingers and the hears the bottle being picked up and is on her guard instantly, which makes it more difficult. I will just have to persevere. She seems better. I am too scared to use the Mita Clear just in case she gets it on her paw when washing her ears which she would be likely to do if I had just put it in them.
Much easier to clean a cats ears if you wrap them in a towel first so only their head is exposed. Saves a lot of scratches in the long run.
Yes BardOfEly, Cats are very intelligent animals and they pick up on your attempts to treat them very quickly. They will associate that "horrid" experience of mineral oil being applied, and react. This is how they have survived so long in the wild.
Mistyhorizon, that is also an excellent suggestion. A towel will prevent scratches and bites, temporarily, while the medicine is applied.
BardofEly, I've added a new video above that shows a bengal kitten getting ear drops It also illustrates the towel wrapping technique.
my cat has high blood pressure and will often lay flopped out after snugging up to me as if hes getting to warm then get up after a while and be fine for a bit my vet says you cant take a cats blood pressure very well so it cant be taken hes on fortekor for fusion in the kidneys caused by the high bloodpressure but hes still flopping out worryed cat owner please help
my cats both itch their ears in the inside and down their neck i have taken them to the vet and the vet told me there was nothing wrong with them. But my older cat who is 18 looses his balance alot, is this a sign of old age or could it be linked to the ear itching?
Last night we noticed that our cat's ear is making a very odd noise. If the ear is rubbed, or if she shakes her head...it makes a clacking noise like two marbles hitting each other!
I'm very concerned and will be taking her to the vet ASAP, but does anyone have any idea of what the problem could be?
If you find out what it is with the clicking/marble noise let me know... my cat''s ear is doing that also and I found your comment by searching online... let me know, please :)
Thanks!
Becky and Kevin,
I am sorry your cats are troubled by this. It can be wax, an ear infection or an abscessed tooth. You can get oticlense in a pet supply store but it is best to have your vet check because you cannot see into the ear nor should you probe with a q-tip. Ear infections are very painful and must be treated with antibiotics: check out: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/ear-infections.h
Danielle,
When a cat loses their balance, it might be signs of an inner ear infection. He will wobble, circle, fall and roll over, and sometimes has trouble righting himself. He may show rapid or jerking eye movements (nystagmus), or he may tilt his head down on the affected side. Middle and inner ear infections should receive prompt veterinary attention.
Paul,
I apologize for getting back to you so late. There was a death in my family recently, and I was not able to find the time to do the required research for your cat's unique problem. I do know that when a cat loses his balance or flops about, it can be signs of an inner ear problem, or more serious. In conjunction with high blood pressure, I would definitely keep a very close watch of his behavior, and notify your vet if you notice a change. I sincerely hope your cat is doing well. Keep us posted, if possible.
I know that my cat doesnt have earmites but she is always shaking her head and scratching her ears which can sometimes make a clicking sound. Her ears are almost always cut but she never goes outside. Today i looked inside and saw this tan gunk i dont know what it is help!
Lisa99999,
Bacterial infections are usually the result of infected scratches and bites. Some infections begin in an ear canal that contain an excessive amount of wax , cellular debris or foreign material. The most common sign of an infected ear canal is head-shaking and scratching at an itchy ear. A cat may tilt her head down on the affected side and exhibit pain when her ear ear is touched. An examination will reveal redness and swelling of the skin folds of the ear canal. There may be an excessive amount of wax or even a discharge of pus.
If this is the case here, you should definitely have her checked out by a vet.
Our indoor cat got out yesterday and was in 3 degree tempts for 2 hours. Her left ear tip looks like it is probably frostbitten. The tip is dark and thick, but otherwise she is acting just fine. What can you tell me about this condition?
Thanks
Michelle,
With frostbite, At first the skin is pale and white. With return of circulation, it becomes red and swollen. Later, it may peel. Eventually it looks like a burn, with a line of demarcation between live and dead tissue. The dead skin separates in 1 to 3 weeks.
Apply warm water to the frostbitten parts. Prevent infection by applying an antibiotic ointment. Wrap loosely.
My mother in law's cat is having what seems to be a serious ear problem...I...having never owned cats before am at a loss for what it could be. I have read your article and am guessing it may be fungal but i cant be sure. We would take him to the vet but we are having financial problems right now and are unable to do so. Therefore i thought that i might ask if you had any advice on what we could do for him at home. His ear seems to be full of dark black earwax. But i'm not sure because when i went to look at it today some of the inside skin of his her flaked off. He dose seem to shake his head a lot...and he sleep much more then has been usual...hes a very white cat...so it could be that that makes whatever is in his ear seem worse...but it clearly bothers him as there is a bald spot forming underneath his ear. I suspect that he might be trying to scratch it out with little success. For a while his entire chin was covered in little black dots that would flake off on occasion which still appears to be there now. My mother in law said that was cat acne. I wonder if it might have a connection? Also his nose seems to have several black dots on it. If you have any advice on it that would be helpful...thanks you for your time.
Tsingani soul,
If he shakes his head excessively, there may be ear mites present. If this is the case you can get eardrop formulas to relieve this. My vet recommends Tresaderm.
If there is no head shaking there might be another infection present in the ear canal.
my cat is scratching her ear, and is in pain when her ear is touched. It seems to be inside the ear, I found some spots of blood, and there seems to be something goupy in her ear, and there was a chunk of hair that came out with this goup on it. Any Suggestions?
and she is shaking her head after she scratches...she does have some frostbite on the tip, but I think it's more than just itchy from that healing because now it bothers her to touch anywhere around her ear
starflier
This sounds like ear mites. The most common sign is intense itching characterized by scratching and violent head shaking. If you look into the ears, you will see typically, a dry, crumbly, dark brown waxy discharge, which looks like coffee-ground material and may be foul smelling. Constant scratching at the ears, may cause raw areas to develop, along with scabs and loss of hair around the ears, The initial problem might become complicated by a chronic bacterial infection of the ear canals. You should definitely try to see a vet with the current problem your cat is displaying.
I have 2 cats, one a stray that adopted me, the other a rescue. The rescue came home with sinus and respiratory issues, nothing serious. We recently moved from FL to VA, and initially, there were no problems. However, the rescue (Lilly) began fussing with her ears more than usual, and shaking her head...likewise the stray (Bella) began the same behavior shortly thereafter. It sounds like ear mites, yes? But I did the earwax-on-dark-background check, and can find nothing. The have no sores, puss, scratches, dry skin, odor, balance issues, or anything else. They sniff eachother's ears a lot, and grunt and snort with pleasure when I firmly rub their ears for them... any ideas?
Mandy,
This is not necessarily earmites. It could also be fleas. You might want to try either "DeFlea" by Natural Chemistry or rub a slight amount of diatomaceous earth in the ears (be careful to stay clear of the eyes). I talk about this in http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Get-Rid-of-Fleas-Wi
Hi I have 2 highland lynx cats. A 4 yr old male and a 2 yr old female. Both spayed and neutured. So, the male has had ear infections since I can remember. The female..never had one ear infection! Clean ears! They play with eachother and do the usual. We have meds for his ears and it doesnt help. Its for yeast in the ears. He gets an infection maybe 2 times a month I'd say. Too much if ya ask me! We clean out his ears and we get nasty black gooey wax. He shakes his ear and it makes a wet noise. It is only one ear too. The right one. NEVER the left. Its soo weird. I know we dont have fleas, the cats never go outside. I put Revolution on them as well. Not every month but I do when I can afford to. Its not the Revolution b/c he has been getting the ear infection since WAY before I started them on Revolution. I also changed their food from Friskies and Iams Indoor formula to Kirklands brand. A groomer told me it would be better for him and that her cat had the issue with his ear too. I havent seen a change but then again its been less than a month. We are kinda broke at the moment and I am really getting worried about his ear. I know it can cause health probs if we dont fix it. Is there a home remedy I can possibly do to help this issue? What do you think it could be?
Thanks!
Phoenix54,
It definitely sounds like some sort of bacterial intection, that most probably got started by fleas or ear mites. Don't fret badly about your cat's ailment. Most likely it will not be life threatening, however you should observe him on a daily basis, to make sure there are no complications. I found a very nicely done article on the subject, which might clear up your dilemma, and might assist in a remedy
Wow, I just read it and it sounds promising. He hasnt shook his head today. So, maybe this cat food is working. I at least know how to keep his ears clean too. I need to get on that better.
Thanks for the help!!
i came home one night and my 6 week old kittin was a little foamy at the mouth and his tounge and mouth was swollen. He keeps shaking his head like something is wrong with him and has not eaten or drinkin anything in 2 days. Someone told me that there cat was the same way and just needed antibiotics for excess water in its ears. Do you have any idea about this?
A swollen tongue has nothing to do with water in the ears. The reason your kitten does not eat or drink obviously has to do with the swollen tongue. This can be caused by bacterial infection or a foreign object lodged in the mouth, among other things. This kitten needs to be seen by a professional. My guess is that he has some form of stomatitis or sore mouth. Stomatitis should be suspected when a cat drools, refuses to eat, has difficulty chewing, shakes his head, paws at his mouth, and shys away when you attempt to observe the inside of the mouth.
Terrific hub about cats' ears. You really are an expert in this field! I'll look forward to more of your hubs about cats' health issues. thanks! dawei888 :-)
I came on here a couple weeks ago about my cats ear. We tried changing his food and it doesnt seem to be helping. I was wondering to Hglick if you could recommend something to start with off that list of remedies you gave me? I am afraid I will hurt his ear or something bad. Or possiblly someone else could throw some ideas in...
Thanks.
dawei888 - thank you, I've been rescuing cats for a long time and run into a numerous amount of ear problems. If I can't solve the problem, I usually get help from a friend who is a veterinarian or a home veterinary handbook
Phoenix - I'm not sure what cat food you are using for this problem. I don't know of any type of food that will eliminate a chronic fungal or bacterial infection of the ear.
First try dipping a q-tip or cotton ball in Johnson's baby oil and clean the ear once a day. Just don't clean any further than you can see and be ready to pull it out if your cat starts shaking his head or tries to scratch his ears.
After a week or so If you don't notice any improvement I will cut and paste here an important part of the article I recommended to you after your original comment above. One of the following suggestions might help the problem
***************************************************************************************
"When a brownish-pink wax fills the ear canal of your cat, chances are they are suffering a yeast infection that requires a thorough cleaning. Diluted white vinegar helps revitalize the chemical balance in the ears by removing unwanted dirt and debris. It is suggested to pour a small amount into the ear canal, massaging the area before gently wiping the inside of the ear using a cotton ball. Using vinegar is a once-a-day treatment that continues until the ear becomes better.
An herb called pau d' arco is an inner bark natural cure for cat's ear infection that originates in South America. This organic antibiotic works fast to eliminate fungi and bacteria. At the first sign of cat ear infection, mix equal parts of pau d' arco tincture with mineral oil and place several drops into the ears of your cat. For a couple of days, the treatment is given two to three times per day.
When ear mites are the source of a cat ear infection, consider putting a few drops of almond oil or olive oil in each ear, which kills mites and allows the infection to gradually heal. This particular regimen is necessary for three to four weeks – using three to seven drops of oil each day. Sulphur tablets are also considered a well known anti-parasitic used to treat ear mites in cats."
Thank you. I know you gave me a remedy list but I am just so paranoid I am going to hurt the cats ear. A cat groomer told me about how cats can get ear infections of yeast possibly b/c of the cat food and the ingredients. So, I tried a different brand. Kirklands brand. All natural she said. His ear seriously is messed up every week or two for about 2 days. I have baby oil and q-tips. I will try tonight. Thank you again. I just need strong directions when it comes to this kind of stuff. :)
Hmmm Phoenix I'll have to look into cat food causing ear or yeast infections. I'm not aware of it, but you learn something new everyday.
Anyway, SEE the YouTube video above about Kato the bengal kitten getting eardrops. You can wrap your cat in a towel just as in the video. The important thing is to be gentle and don't clean too deep into the ear. Make sure that you can see what you are cleaning. If your cat starts shaking his head or shows any extreme behavior remove the q-tip or cotton ball. Try to repeat this cleaning several minutes per day over the next week. If the ear starts clearing up, you know that you are on the right track. If not, you might want to try the white vinegar or the herb listed in my previous comment. Remember, be gentle with the cat, and use an assistant to hold the cat in a towel if possible.
Ok ,so now I have a random question for you. My 2 cats eat out of the same bowl and I have discovered that my female cant eat pieces of food. She sits there and literally will bite the pieces soo small that they are like dust and then eats it. With this new cat food, she cant do that so she eats the pieces whole now and she immediatly thows up. The food she can eat, I think is what is messing up my male cats ear up but its the only food she can eat. I am so upset here. Should I try soft food for her?
Thanks
Phoenix,
You might want to try two bowls, one for each cat. If she doesn't need this cat food, feed her wet food, If you're worried about the male eating her food, put the bowls in 2 different rooms and close the doors. There are many ways to solve this problem. Forcing a cat to eat a food she doesn't want to eat is not necessary.
Oh please dont think I am making her eat it. I am just figuring this out that its the small pellet food making her throw up. I had some of the other cat food and have been giving it to her. She has recovered. But I hear that soft cat food is very bad for the intestines long term. She is young still but I just worry. I only have fed wet food to a toothless cat b/c of obvious reasons, so I just was wondering about soft food.
Phoenix,
I have had cats who lived until 18 or 19 years old that have lived exclusively on wet cat food, supplemented with Iams pellets. The saying that cats have 9 lives is partially true. They adapt well to many things including change in diets. Unless your vet restricts certain types of foods, you shouldn't worry too much about the diet.
I just got a cat that was like one week old, and she has HORRIBLE fleas. she was probably going to die, but then we
Sidney,
You need to try to retype your question, but If I understand correctly your kitten has a flea problem. Kittens can be shampood to eradicate fleas but must be dried quickly to prevent chilling.
I have a cat that we have "adopted". I took him in and had him neutered and vaccinated and keep him indoors. He has taken to "escaping" recently and after being gone overnight I noticed the flap of his ear is very swollen and he is tipping his head a bit. There seems to be a very small scratch or bite on the outter side that was closed by the time I saw it. Is there anything I should do for this or will this go away on it's own?
Helen,
It is very probable that your cat was in a fight and the ear flap is infected. All cat bite wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and observed. First trim away the hair from the edges of the wound to prevent it from sticking to the surface. Bathe or wash the wound with half-strength hydrogen peroxide solution (1/2 water) to remove dried blood and foreign debris. (Do not do this if there is fresh bleeding). Then apply an antibiotic ointment such as Furacin or Panolog (you can also use neosporin or bacitracin). Observe the wound for a day or two If the wound becomes worse your cat may require antibiotics. You should then see a veterinarian.
Our cat critter has something wrong with his left ear. His ear is very pink and it is peeling. He is also excessively salivating and he pulls away when i try to touch his ear. What is wrong?
Your cat might be shying away from your examination of the ear. Excessive salivation can occur during anticipation of treatment or danger. The pinkish color of the ear can be anything from a sunburn to a bad fight. If it gets worse or your cat's eating patterns change, you should see a vet.
My cat is an indoor cat who doesnt have any contact with other animals. She seems to be shaking her head (not violently) and itching her ears (not violently). There isnt any wax that comes out, her right ear does have dark crusty stuff but i think its dried blood from scratching. ive been cleaning her ears with a cat and dog ear cleaner to try and relieve the itching. her ears are alittle pink and is uncomfortable if i i rub them. what is this?
Nikki,
The most common causes of ear itching and head shaking are either ear mites or fleas, however bacterial infections could also cause this behavior in cats.
Here is an interesting website that discusses the possible reasons for your cat's itching behavior:
The marble noise you hear when your can shakes its head is the flap noise of the ears, they shake so fast and the ears are just slapping together and thats what helps them break up the junk in there ear, all animals do this even a dog but its a differant sound because the dogs ears are larger.
Thank you Kevin for that answer
That is a great article about cat ear problems! Very detailed explanations. I also have an article about ear mites in cats. Wondering if you agree with what I wrote. Anyways I have become one of your fans.. looking forward to move of your cat articles..
After using over the counter earmite treatment, my kittens ears seem to be in pain.
She puts, her ears down and is constantly lightly shaking her head.
It also seems to hurt her whenever we lightly touch her ear.
Her ears are also very pink inside.
What is going on?
illyana,
You may be applying too much of the treatment to your kittens ears. Make sure you read the directions for kitten dosage, and the kitten is not too young. Tresaderm is an earmite application that is prescribed by many vets, and the dosage should not be more than a few drops in each ear.
My cats ears always have sores on them. the vet says they are from mosquitos and gave us ointment that helped for a while but she keeps getting it. Is there anything natural I can use? Would aloe help?
Judith, It all depends upon the source of the sores. If they are bites or scratches, any medicated antibacterial creme, such as "septi-clens", bactracin or neosporin will help. If it is an allergy, steroids like 1% Hydrocortisone cream can be helpful. If your cat repeatedly gets these sores they might be the result of a fungus. This usually requires prolonged use of an antifungal agent such as Nystatin.
Aloe is usually only helpful with a burn type wound
You also might want to visit another vet for a 2nd opinion.
How long is it normal for cat to shake their heads and scratch their ears after an ear treatment for mites? My cat is still doing this 24 hours after his treatment.
Kelly,
There are two possibilities causing this scratching:
1) There were still eggs present that hatched and reinfected your cat
-or-
2) If the ears stay dirty some of the mites could have remained sheltered by wax and cellular debris. An ear cleaning might be necessary. You can moisten a cloth or cotton wad with mineral oil and wrap it around your little finger. Then insert the little finger into the ear canal as far as it will go and gently wipe the surface to remove dirt, excess wax and debris.
i dont know why but my cat is starting to rub her ear against everytning and she sometimes meows like shes in pain when doing so,what could be the problem
oh and she also is being very jumpy when you hold her or shes very mellow which is unusual for her.
Simone, she may have ticks or fleas, or some other foreign object in her ears. If she is acting funny, and the behavior doesn't stop, I would bring her to a vet just for an external examination, just to be safe.
Okay, I have a number cats, and the oldest male cat, Mao, has been shaking his head and scratching his ears alot. I know that is a sign of ear mites because he has had them before, but his ears look healthy and clean. What I am more concerned about though is that he as been throwing up his cat food yesterday, and cat food and some milk this morning. Is there something that could cause both the throwing up, and the head shaking? Thanks.
And while I'm on the subject, one of my friend's cat is licking itself constantly and is licking all of his fur out. What could cause that and how could you stop it? Thanks again
sj, Excessive itching or licking could be signs of an obsessive compulsive cat.
See:: http://www.cat-world.com.au/over-grooming-in-cats.
Vomiting is not necessarily a sign of a sick cat.
Hi, My cat, (Goober), has something going on with his ears. There is a black substance, inside, I consider to be wax mixed with blood from scratching. Also, all around the outside of his ears down to the base of his ears the skin is flaking off and VERY crusty. It seems to be swollen as well. We have another cat that has none of these symptoms. We have been treating him with, Dr. Golds Extra Gentle Ear Therapy drops and Pet Aid Medicated anti-itch spray. It seemed like it was working at first but now does not seem to be helping. Any suggestions as I cannot get him to the vet till next week??
Kathy, I've copied an answer I gave to Phoenix in a previous comment, with regards to cleaning the ear ==>
First try dipping a q-tip or cotton ball in Johnson's baby oil and clean the ear once a day. Just don't clean any further than you can see and be ready to pull it out if your cat starts shaking his head or tries to scratch his ears.
If a brownish-pink wax fills the ear canal of your cat, chances are they are suffering a yeast infection that requires a thorough cleaning. Diluted white vinegar helps revitalize the chemical balance in the ears by removing unwanted dirt and debris. It is suggested to pour a small amount into the ear canal, massaging the area before gently wiping the inside of the ear using a cotton ball. Using vinegar is a once-a-day treatment that continues until the ear becomes better.
These methods might help clean up the problem before you see the vet.
We found a cat a few month bak and we treated her for fleas with Frontline and Drontal for any nasty worms she may have had. When we got her, inside her ears were covered in black stuff. We cleaned them out and put drops for ear mites in her ears every day, however now the inside of the ear has no black stuff and the outside is covered in black crust and scabby bits. There no foul smell either.The only thing putting me off going to the vets is a friend at work told me she spent hundreds of pounds on treatment that didnt work. I've also held some black stuff under a microscope and couldnt see anything moving. Her ears dont seem to be itchy either. Is this normal after using mite treatment?
Chelsie,
Ear mites show up as a discharge or build up of ear wax in your cat's ears that looks like coffee grounds, and the ears have an unpleasant odor. Ear mites will also leave a brown or black crust on the outer ear.
Cats can get ear mites at any age but younger pets are more susceptible.
Thanks. I have ordered some EarClear mite powder which you sprinkle in. The drops dont seem to be working. Next step is the vets. Thanks for your advice
I adopted 2 stray kittens over 2 years ago at the same time but from seperate litters. The female started having blackish-brownish flaky skin looking stuff in her ears when she was about 6 months old. There was also black goo that looked like wax. It's in both ears and is pouring out constantly. I asked the vet about it over & over again for the last 2 years and she kept saying her ears look perfectly fine. She even seemed annoyed with my constant asking about it & had me look at them threw her (i dont know what the medical term for the tool is) ear & nose tool and there wasnt any redness or inflamation & deffinately no mites. But now my little boy cat has it too, in both ears as well. I can clean the outter part of their ears out 2-3 times a week and cover 4-5 qtips on each cat. If i massage the ear, the next day the black flakes & black goo is almost doubled in the outter ear area. I dont know what to do to help them, the vet just tells me its wax but wax isnt flaky like dried skin & there shouldnt be this much of it in healthy cats. Does anyone know if they could have a yeast infection without the symptoms of sakeing their heads or redness & inflamation? My little boy did start scratching his one ear that seems to have more of this blackish stuff in it recently, but only a few times. Some websites say i should clean their ears out with 1/2 water & 1/2 white vinegar... is this safe? does anyone have any idea what could be causing this blackish flakes & goo, other than mites (they for sure do NOT have mites)? I would appreciate any ideas or opinions :) Thank you!
britt,
My first suggestion would be to see another vet. A discharge can be caused by fungus or bacterial infections as well as allergies. Check out the following link: http://home.ivillage.com/pets/symsolve/0,,j7rr,00.
Hello, i have 2 (11 month)male kittens that I hand raised from birth, they are brothers. The momma cat was hit by a car so I took over,they are my little shaddows now! My question is Moe, he is a little on the chubby side. His belly is firm and I'm not sure why. His bowel movements are fine not too lose not to hard, but I also noticed when he sleeps he shakes like he is cold or something. I live in so cal so it's not really cold right now. I'm taking them both in next week to get their first shots and to also say goodbye to their little friends down below ( not spraying yet but calling all females in town) I know larry his brother should be okay with the neutering procedure but I worry about Moe, I could not bare to lose him..
I found this site very helpful so i made an account. I made the last post above. Thanks ( running on no sleep so i'm a bit out of par)
Perkasaurus,
Moe's belly is firm probably because he eats very heartily. Unless he is showing symptoms of an illness such as loss of appetite or lethargy he is probably OK. As far as the shaking is concerned, this is not uncommon, it's just something cats do occasionally when in deep REM sleep.
If the neutering procedure still worries you with Moe, you should tell the vet what you feel, and ask his/her opinion.
Hi, my cat Mac has been having some problems with his ear. At first we just thought it was ear mites like my other cat, and I gave him the medication for those. But for the past two days it seems to be irritating him, and the inside of the ear is red. It also makes this kind of popping noise when he shakes his ear or if we touch it. We don't really have any money to take him to the vet, so I was wondering if this was serious, or if it can be solved at home. Thanks!
Tricia,
Sorry - the last comment to Perkasaurus was meant for you
okay so my cat had this massive wound just inside his ear, and he "snuck out" of the house and came back after 2 days and now its just a few wounds, looks like maybe he scratched off the mass of it? i just dont know... im a very concerned "mother" and am really starting to freak out about this... hes supposed to be indoor, but gets out all the time, so hes indoor outdoor i guess you would say... the wounds are pink/red and look somewhat flaky, anybody with any information please, reply as soon as you see this, thank you so much
that one hippie chic, It looks as though your cat was in a territorial dispute with a pretty mean feral or he might have received an insect bite. In either instance I would get him checked out If his energy or food habits change. Also, I would limit his outdoor time, or supervise it, by observing his behavior If you can.
Pierce, Watch Mac's behavior and eating patterns. He might have an abcess or a hematoma.
He eats better then he usually does, and his behavior is normal and energetic. The ear isn't red or enflamed anymore, and the only thing still wrong with it is the popping noise. I don't think its hurting him either, because he sleeps on it and nothing happens.
I think the popping noise I'm hearing from his ear, is some of the earmite medication still inside. He shook his head today and some wet stuff came out, and that seemed to make him feel a little better. It doesn't hurt him at all if I touch his ear, do you think there's a way to get the liquid out safely?
Pierce, you can try gently cleaning his ear by moistening a cloth or cotton wad with mineral oil and wrap it around your little finger.Insert your finger into the ear canal as far as it will go and gently wipe the surface to remove dirt, excess wax and debris. Folds and creases which can't be reached with a cloth can be cleaned with a q-tip dipped in mineral oil. The ear canal descends vertically for a considerable distance, before turning horizontally and ending at the ear drum. The vertical canal can be swabbed without danger of damaging the ear drum as long as the applicator is held vertically and directed downwards.
Be very careful with Mac, because many cats object to having their ear's cleaned. He should be gently restrained. If there is too much resistance you might want to have a professional do this.
My cats get ear mites, and I have to take them to the vet on occassion for them to clean their ears. My cats will NOT let me get near them. I think the first time I put drops in their ears they became traumatized. Seriously. My Ethel will will claw, scream and hiss, even bite. It is like they go insane. No matter how gentle I am with the drops.
Enjoyed your hub!
crazybeanrider, try the cat wrapped in a towel trick. It will give them limited movement. See the video above "Kate the Bengal Kitten Gets Ear Drops"
What a great hub. I googles ear scratching on cats and up popped your hub! Mimi is a cutie. How long did she wear the boot? Poor thing.
My 23 y/o cat is scratching her ear, so I guess we will load up and go to the vet. She had thyroid surgery 3 weeks ago but is recuperating from that. Thanks for sharing the information.
DustinsMom, you are a great cat parent to have a 23 year old in your household.
Actually Mimi is not my cat, just an interesting video from youtube that contained some great info.
my cats ear is swollen. and his hair is starting to come off and he shakes his head a lot and tries to scratch it but he leats out a big scream/meow and i have taken a needle myself and popped it and all that came out was a little blood. i thought that by popping it that it would help because all i thought it was is from him and his two brothers playing/fighting. what do you think this might be?
My cat has a rash in her ear and im pretty sure that is not ear mites. She has it now starting in both ears it looks just like dry skin she doesnt scratch at it too much but i just want to make sure she is ok.
mhillow, YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT TAKE A NEEDLE TO YOUR CAT'S EAR. You will increase any problem that already exists by introducing new bacteria to the area, using this treatment. Bring your cat to a vet immediately. If you are having trouble affording a vet, the humane society might be able to help. See: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tip
melissa780, The most common causes of ear itching are either ear mites or fleas, however bacterial infections could also cause this behavior in cats.
Here is an interesting website that discusses the possible reasons for your cat's itching behavior:
http://www.vetinfo.com/catear.html
You can try an Aloe based product to soothe the itching. Many pet companies sell Hydrocortisone spray or cream that contains aloe. You might want to try the cream to see if that helps.
Hi, I am new. I was searching for answers for our cat's ear. And found this group. Our male 8 yr old cat started out with cat fights about 3 months ago - injured his ear in them. He's done 2 rounds of antibiotics, and also ear drops. All prescribed by a vet. Nothing was working, until the Antirobe Aquadrops. His ear probs had seemed to go away. However a month later, his ear is full of dried up blood again, he's walking around the house screeching, and is eating non-stop.
The vet had said we were now probably looking at getting x-rays. Before I go down that road, does anyone have thoughts/or experiences similar to mine that they could share with me? {thanks!}
cinammon, When cats get into fights the scratches are susceptible to infection. The ear flap is a frequent sight for this kind of damage Fleas usually feed on the skin of the ear flap. You may see the actual flea or just dried blood, that appear as black, crumbly crusts
My cats left ear started bothering her a few days ago, now today it looks swoolen and is drooping over. She doesnt seem to be in any pain but she is not as active as she was a few days ago. Any suggestions? My vet is closed today and i will be taking her there tomorrow morning.
hglick - I appreciate you getting back to me. The animals often have flea's, I haven't checked them all yet this Spring - and will do so today! Thanks again :)
Linda, Sorry about getting back to you a day late, but it sounds as though your cat may have a hematoma. An ear hematoma is an accumulation of blood in the 'flap' of the ear and needs to be treated as soon as possible to prevent the permanent disfiguring of the ear. If this is the casae your vet will treat it by removing it.
I read about the kitten that got into the balloon-string-roses, and was spasming and the vet gave stomach medicine. I am familiar with the fact that a lot of balloons and plastic cellaphane type products do not show up on x-rays, if you think your animal or child has ingested these things-be very cautious!!
Melinda, thank you for the warning
My cat was recently diagnosed with a severe inner ear infection. She is circling & stumbling. I can tell she is in an extreme amount of pain. The vet prescribed an ear drop & Baytril tablets. She also recommended having her sedated and her ear flushed (her ear is so goopy they can't see in it very well & suspect a polyp. Well they vet can't get her in for 2 wks for this. I am so worried & she is miserable. Will having her ear flushed give her any relief? I was thinking of asking to vet to suggest somewhere that can get her in sooner. Or should I just stick to the Baytril & hope it works quickly? Please help, I hate seeing my cat so miserable.
BWill, Having the ear flushed will definitely help the vet see what's going on inside the ear (for ex: polyp), and probably help with her balance. I suspect that the ear drops and Baytril are used to temporarily give her some relief from the pain. If you do not have another vet in the area who can see her sooner, usually there is an emergency clinic that will take a cat in right away.
Ugh. It ended up being a maignant tumor!!! She is 15 & I don't think I want her to have to go through any of the surgeries they mentioned. Both of the options are pretty invasive. I think we are going to have to put her down. I'm so heart broken.
Bwill, I'm so sorry. What you need to know is that you gave her a good life.
My 9 week old DSH kitten has in the last 2 days taken to hinding and crying alot. She is constantly scratching at her left ear and rubbing it everywhere and she has worn a hole in her fur. We cant get her to a vet for about a week due to money issues. None of the other cats are acting this way and we cannot see a sign of ear mites. actually her ear is quite clean, but a little warm due to the scratching and favoring. Does anyone know what this may be?
mandyleonhart, Your kitten is itching, either due to a flea bite irritation or mites(which could be difficult to see on a kitten.) You should try to find a hydrocortisone spray or gel (preferably for kittens) and apply a tiny bit to the kittens ear, using a small cloth or cotton swab. That should relieve the itching temporarily.
Thank you for this post!!! I was worried about my cat but now that I know whats going on I can relax a bit! VERY VERY helpful!!!!!
Okay, I'm posting here first, maybe you know something I can do for my cat.
Lately, as in the past year, my cat has been having severe fits of scratching her face/ears. It used to be every once in a while but it has accelerated to an alarming pace. I've taken the cat to the vet and they determined it is (probably) allergies and so I've got her on the prescription diet they gave me.
Unfortunately this hasn't been enough. We had to put an E-collar on her to restrain her further from scratching herself while she heals. Since there's no way to tell if she's scratching because she's still allergic to what she's eating, she's scratching because it itches, or she's scratching because she just likes to, the e-collar seemed to be the way to go. However now we have a further problem.
Now, because of the way the e-collar fits her, the sides of her ears, near the points, have been rubbing against the collar. So when she shakes her head to get relief to the healing scabs, the plastic of the collar rubs the sides and tips of her ears and has since rubbed them completely raw. This is the latest development this evening. I tried to bandage them with medical tape, bandaids cut down to size, and gauze... even tried putting medical tape directly ON the wounds, however she simply shakes them off.
I don't know what more to do for my cat. She is simply miserable. She barely eats because of being depressed about the collar, and the minute I take it off she starts to scratch again. I researched the "Bite-Not" collars but they are not recommended for ear and face wounds. We've thought about getting her completely declawed as a long term solution (she's the only cat in the house and is strictly indoors), but since she is 7 and very dependent on them, that seems cruel. Plus, that won't help me in the short term.
Anyway, I'm going to call the vet in the morning though i'm sure they're sick of hearing from me. If there's any advice you can give me to help my cat, I would very much appreciate it!
Danielle, thank you very much for your compliments. I would like you and others to remember that whatever recommendations I make here are strictly educated guesses, based upon your comments and questions. Any recommendation I make should hinge on the continued observation of your cat's eating habits and behavior patterns. Should either of these change in a negative way, you should seek professional help immediately.
Snuffyboots, I am personally opposed to any kinds of collars or leashes for cats, because they usually cause more problems than they prevent. Hydrocortisone spray or gel could help stop the itching. You can try using septi-clens, (a medicated antibacterial creme). Bacitracin or neosporin for healing any wounds caused by the itching.
hey i have a cat whos ear tonight waS draining and is very sensitive what can it be
amy, this could be a bacterial infection which was the result of a scratch or a bite. It could also be a hematoma or blood blister that drained. See: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/hematoma.html
Hi, My cat has scratched his ears every once and a while but not everyday then just today he was fine then i picked him up and he was laying on my shoulder and jumped down and when he landed he was all wobbly and almost fell over. and he has been doing it all night. i can touch his ears and i even cleaned them, but he doesn't care just like i'm tickling them not like they hurt. I haven't gotten any water in them and its only when he shakes his head. does he have a infection?
Katy, There are several possibilities for this sudden dizziness in your cat. An inner ear infection could be present, but this usually is preceded by a middle ear infection. Since your cat hasn't shown any signs of pain prior to this, it is doubtful. However, don't necessarily rule it out.
Next, there is Idiopathic Vestibular syndrome,which is common in cats, for some unknown reason. The onset is sudden. The cat may exhibit head-tilt or have trouble walking, and falls down. In two to three days he begins to recover. In most cases he is well in three weeks, although some cats will retain a head-tilt permanently.
There are other more serious conditions that occur which need to be mentioned here. Feline cerebrovascular disease, encephalitis (especially toxoplasmosis), drug toxicity or Thiamine deficiency could be present.
The best advice is to observe your cat for several days to a week. If the condition persists or gets worse, seek professional help.
I used the ear mite medicine on my cat and I am worried I put too much. HEI wrapped him in a towel but he squirmed when I was applying the drops. He hissed and growled more than I have ever seen. My cat has not been the same since. He is just sitting around, won't lay down. shaking his head, scratching at his ears, and simply not himself. I am so worried. I don't know what to do. Any help would be appreciated.
texngrrl, When you applied the ear drops, your cat reacted to the unfamiliar feeling of spray in his ears. That is a common occurrence with most cats. However, there seems to be something more going on in his ears. If his behavior has been altered the way you mention, my guess is that there are some sort of disturbance going on further in the ear. Minimally, you need to get him checked out by a vet.
Hi hglick,
My cat suddenly seemed very lethargic and slept through the whole day. (This is recent - in the last 24 hours) i suddenly noticed he would shake his head every time i scratched him near that ear. I smelled it (awful) and noticed a red, hardened crust right inside his ear. I think it was from a cut - he got in a fight a few weeks ago. i saw a small, pink cut mark but nothing fresh and bloody.
I removed the crusty part with a clean piece of toilet paper and gently swabbed the inside with alcohol and a q-tip. (didn't go too far in)
I seemed to have cleaned it out but it still smells. He hasn't been kicking at it at all, and I don't see any parts swollen, red, etc. His ear just is sensitive to the touch still and warmer than his other ear. Not vocal when I touch though - just shakes his head and twitches slightly.
Any ideas or home remedies? He seems to be more alert now - he just got up to eat and is bathing himself.
Kat, An educated guess would be that your cat has ear mites. Itching, scratching, head shaking and a dry crumbly dark-brown discharge resembling coffee grinds which is foul smelling are all tell-tale signs.
In the future, do not swab or irrigate your cat's ears with ether, alcohol, or other irrigating solvents. They are painful and cause swelling of the tissues. Use mineral or olive oil instead.
To clean a dirty ear, moisten a cloth or cotton wad with mineral oil and wrap it around your little finger. Then insert your finger as far as it will go and gently wipe the surface to remove dirt excess wax and debris. Cats are naturally fastidious. They don't need their ears cleaned unless there is an excess amount of dirt or debris within.
For ear mites, you should clean the ears and then dust your cat thoroughly with a flea powder or mite insecticide made up especially for use on cats. This will kill the mites on the surface of the body. Dust the tail of the cat as well, because they sleep with it curled up next to their ears.
Keep an eye on your cat. Make sure he is eating and alert. If the ear mite problem is complicated by a bacterial problem, you may need to visit a vet.
Just thought I'd post a follow up.
I took my cat to a vet the next day who said he ruptured his ear drum. They put him on an oral antibiotic and liquid drops that I put in his ear twice a day.
While I am still pulling bits of dried debris from his ear with tweezers and gently swabbing the inside of his ear with rubbing alcohol (not going farther with the swab than I can see which is what the vet suggested) his behavior has seemed to return to normal and is feeling much better (as much as one can conclude based on mannerisms)
The vet said his ear will heal in 4-6 weeks but I'm already seeing an improvement (plus the ear smell is gone!) due to the medicine.
Thanks for the quick response!
My cat sassy is about 6 years old and is a tortie shell. Just today, we noticed her ears are really red, especialy on the left one. It is flaky and warm, and crusting. She gets very irritated if we try to look and kinda growls at us. I been looking everywhere online to find out whats wrong, and I have been stuck between an ear infection and ear mites..and I don't know if we cat take her to the vet until the end of the week cause my mom is leaving for newyork and my dad works. i would like some help, cause I am really worried for my kitty.
thank you, drea.
That's great news Kat!
huecorukia, You are probably correct about the ear mites, and possibly the infection. You should start by gently cleaning the ear. Moisten a cloth or cotton wad with mineral oil and wrap it around your little finger. Then insert your finger into the ear canal as far as it will go and gently wipe the surface to remove dirt, excess wax and debris. Folds and creases which can not be reached with a cloth should be delicately swabbed with a q-tip dipped in mineral oil. This process should only be done once or twice in a short period of time, because excessive cleaning can be dangerous. Because Sassy is a skiddish cat, you should first wrap her in a towel with only her head exposed. Be very gentle while conducting this process. Also, many vets prescribe Tresaderm as an ear drop that will help clear up mite problems.
My cats is pawing at his ear a lot and shaking his head. When he does this there is a rattling noise like two rocks or two marbles (much like earlier comments on this page). Marky is only about 8 months old so I don't think it could be an abscess so does this only leave infection and wax build up? Thanks
Michael, Violent head shaking and pawing at the ear is frequently a sign of an ear mite infestation. Check out the following link: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/ear-infections.h
My indoor cat is constantly having trouble with her ears. She is constantly scratching and shaking her head. I give her ear drops for ear mites, but she is still scratching at her ears. She hasn't been exposed to anything outside, except for what I bring in so I'm not sure what to do.
Meaghan, Your cat might have an inner ear disorder or may just need an anti-itch treatment. Usually a hydrocortisone spray(or gel) with aloe will sooth an itch.
It is preferable to place a small amount of gel or liquid on your finger or on a q-tip and gently rub it into the itchy area. You should never spray the ear.
If this doesn't help, a veterinary exam of the irritated area might be necessary.
My cat has got into a fight with my other cat who hit her ear or something and her ear began to swell and them it shriveled up and now it's bloody and she keeps. Screening it and it's twitching . Please help
Hi,
I've been reading all these posts and found them to be helpful. I think my cat might have ear mites, but I'm not really sure. I can't really afford an appointment with the vet, so I would like to see if there is anything I can do at home before having to go see one.
My cat has never been outside and hasn't been exposed to any other animals in a long time. He recently started scratching at his ear (quite violently) and has started to make it bleed. There is only a small scab on the inside of his ear and a large one on the outside, behind the ear. He also has been violently shaking his head.
The reasons I think it might not be ear mites, is that it has only effected his one year and there is no dark material inside his ear. His ears seem clean and perfectly healthy except that one small scab on the inside. He hasn't shown any other signs of abnormal behavior.
About a year ago, he was scratching his ear and making it bleed, but after I cleaned the scab with anti-bacterial for about a week, he stopped scratching. That doesn't seem to be working this time.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Tay, your cat has probably acquired an infection from the fight. See a vet as soon as you can.
cwill, Look at the post by Meaghan and my answer several comments above. Try the anti-itch treatment, as well as the ear cleaning procedure that was described in my response to the post by huecorukia
my cat naughty left ears seemed to have obvious blood vien compared to another ear and on the tip of it I touch and feel something small like pimple dots?? I don't know how to really describe it it's like some small picese of circle skin . when I try to remove it she bends her ears when I touch it . She does shake and scratch but not as frequent like before I brought her to the vet I brought her there as her Body have small black things on it the vet says it's due to mite I brought medicine n applied on her but aft a week I notice those thing growIng on her ears my vet gave me some ear drop when I visited him I used it on her and she struggles and get very angry I'm really worried about what is it do u have any idea?? It us advisable if u bring her back to the vet??
Jae, If it is not ear mites, you should definitely bring her back to the vet. She may have some sort of infection.
One of the cats at our shelter recently had surgery on his ear after multiple bouts of ear mites. Unfortunately he is really struggling with the e collar that they put on him. He is having trouble eating, drinking and well maneuvering to be honest. The collar that they put on him is really too big but I think that they did it so that it wouldn't rub on his ears as much. I was wondering about putting boots on his hind feet (he is a front declaw) so that he can't scratch the ear but gets a break from the e collar. I was wondering if anyone else has tried anything like this and if so what the outcome was. Thanks!
My cat has dark brown gunk in only one of his ears and it doesn't seem to bother him. I don't think it's ear mites because he's not scratching like crazy and the gunk doesn't look like coffee grounds. The gunk does not have a odor of any kind so I don't think it's fungal or bacterial so what could it be.
Roary79, Cats usually do not react positively to any kind of change in their environmrnt. They are creatures of habit. You may notice that your cat might react just as negatively to the boots as the e collar. If you would like to give him relief from the ecollar, I would suggest you trim his back nails if they are sharp, before trying the boots.
Michelle, This may answer your question : http://pets.webmd.com/cats/ear-discharge-in-cats
Michelle, This article may answer your question: http://pets.webmd.com/cats/ear-discharge-in-cats
I got a new cat less than a year ago and she has been having medical issues since day one. Now, she has an ear infection. The vet said it was a bacterial ear infection and prescribed antibiotic ear drops (Tresaderm) which I have been putting in her ears every 12 hours since March 10th. I'm supposed to keep doing this for 2 weeks. Maybe I'm jumping the gun, because there are still a few days left, but they don't seem to be helping her at all. I was hoping I would see some improvement by now, but nothing. What should I do if the ear drops don't work? Thanks for your help.
MoonWolf99, Complete the Tresaderm treatment. If there is still no improvement you should bring the cat back to the vet. She may require another antibiotic. Tresaderm, like other antibiotics is not always effective for certain strains.
I will share this Hub with my sister: her cat have a ear problem. Thanks for wrote this useful pages
Thank You for the kind words Fucsia
Hi My cat I have had her since a baby. She was the only kitten in the litter but she was always sweet but she is getting mean she will let you pet her for the most part but if you pick her up she growls and hisses and sometimes when you pet her. I did notice my cat have mite I hope thats what it is... But could that make her mean??? or is she just mean???
Nicki, Your cat is not mean. She may have a tender or sore spot that hurts when you touch it. You may wish to bring her to a vet to get a basic visual exam. This should not be too expensive, and you'll discover what is ailing her.
I've got a cat with a great deal of issues. He was abused before he came to me, and because of that he freaks out when he is picked up or when anything comes near his face. When we picked him up to move him to the new apartment, we were all scratched and he fluffed his tail and hissed at us all. Coming near his face results in him flinching and running and hiding.
I've noticed for some time now him scratching repeatedly at his right ear, so bad he's worn the fur down. I don't know what to do about it, since I can't pin him down to check the ear without him squirming away and bolting. At the moment I cannot afford to take him to the vet, and if I did, I do not know how I would repeatedly apply the eardrops to him. Even a little advice would help.
Kit, Obviously you will eventually need to treat your cat. You should feed your cat inside an opened cat carrier for a small amount of time. After you remove the food place a comfortable cushion with a towel above it, for the cat to rest. If the cat is still hesitant, you can sprinkle it with some catnip. After the cat is comfortable in the carrier start closing the door several times with him in it. You can try talking to him when the carrier is closed. Eventually you should be able to reach in and wrap him up in the towel so that only his head is exposed. You may need a second person to examine the ears, and apply drops or medication for earmites (if they exist).
I recently adopted a sphynx kitten. A couple days ago instead of a bath he took a shower and I think he got water in his ear. Now his ear "clicks" when touched or when he shakes his head. Can I use something like swimmers ear for people?
Jillybean, Be very careful about using human products on cats. Many of them will do more harm than good.
What you should try is to take a soft cotten ball and carefully swab the inside of his ears. He will shake out the rest.
I have a cat that has huge pimple like bumps all over her face and in her ear. We recently took her to the vet; and found out that she has a bacteria infection in her ear. We clean her ear as often as possible--however, she will scratch her ear and cut into one of these "pimples" cause an awful lot of blood that drains into the canal and also out of her ear. What can we do?
dan, There are two possible preventive steps that you could take that will ease the damage resulting from the scratching habit. You can either get cat mittens for the paws that are most responsible for the scratching, or you can get a neck shade that prevents your cat from reaching his ears.
Also, See the video above about Mimi and the ear mites.
Hi there, this is such a great column and I am very happy to have found it.
I have a 7 yr Devon Rex who recently had 3 teeth extractions. The rest of his teeth look really good now. When he came home he had a problem with his eye, the third eyelid comes across and the pupil is constricted. The vet thought it may be Horners Syndrome and hadnt seen it before. When he was in getting his teeth done they decided to clean his ears as they were dirty. SInce then he has had lots of discharge coming out of one ear and it sounds very wet constantly. I took him back to the vet and they put him on antibiotics (were not sure what they were treating though as they didnt say). He has finishing the anitbiotics and the ear is still wet. He also still had the eye problem (it has been 3 weeks now).
Can you give me any more advice? Should I see another vet or does he need more antibiotics?
Sonja Maria, If your vet didn't find any ear mites, the most likely cause of discharge from the ears is usually a bacterial infection. If the discharge first began after your vet cleaned his ears than I would consider bringing him to another vet for an examination.
Recently a friend of mine rescued an elderly cat from a bad situation. This cat apparently has spent the majority of it's life outside. The cat is said to be about 18 and he is very, very thin. He is friendly and mellow (presumably due to his old age). We removed a few ticks from him but his fur is still tangled and matted in some areas. Today we noticed that his ears are flaky, black. We can't tell if this is his actual skin peeling off in small sections, mainly the tips, or a black substance cracking off.... Does this ring any bells? We don't know what to think and are hoping he can have some happiness towards the end of his life. Thank you.
Cindy, First of all I commend your friend for rescuing this old guy and giving him some good years. The ear condition on this guy is probably due to the years of wear and tear obtained from exposure to excessive outdoor climates which can break down the skin of any animal. The cat should be examined and treated for fleas and mites in addition to the ticks that were found. A physical exam by a professional couldn't hurt either. This way you can make sure there are no bacterial or fungal infections. It sounds as though this guy really lived out his 18 years and 9 lives very well.
My cat Got out a month ago and I found him in a forest. I used flea and ear mite and ringworm meds on him cuz he was itching the skin on and around his ears so much these scabs would form then peel off and leave huge bald.spots so now I'm thinking mange and don't no how to treat w/o goin 2 vet I'm broke so I can't I also thought diggers cuz I've been getting bit but also only treatment is vet I will try vinegar and olive oil but he also inches jaw and makes me itch top of head a lot his eyes r gunky too and he also gags like he wants 2 vomit wen I rub ears like he used to like. Ty 4 ur help
My cat seems to be having an issue with his ears. I mean, I started to see problems with him for a few months now with a swollen eye and a his lip seemed to change in colour for a bit, both coming to heal over time. I thought nothing of it but now I'm a bit worried. He's beginning to lose his fur and we found two cuts on the back of both his ears and now they have swollen up and he keeps shaking his head. My mother assumes he might have been having a stroke and I'm rather worried. When I found this thread I saw one of the syptoms of perhaps an ear infection but it still doesn't explain the other stuff. If you know anything, mind letting me know? The vet seems to be very booked right now.
jen, If your cat has head mange, the typical appearance is that of a crusty area on the edge of the ear or face. The predominant sign is intense itching along with hair loss and the appearance of bald spots. You can treat the cat by clipping the affected areas on long-haired cats and bathing the entire animal in warm water and soap to loosen crusts. Dips active against head-mange mites are : Lime-sulphur 2.5% dilution (orchard spray); and Malathion 0.2%. Dandruff shampoos such as Seleen are uaeful. Apply a topical preparation such as Canex or Goodwinol ointment to areas of localized disease.
Cortisone will help to relieve severe itching. Sores that look infected from self-mutilation should be treated by a soothing topical ointment (Panalog).
Kim, swollen cuts on the back of your cats ears can potentially be serious, or they could be the result of ear mites. Make sure he is eating and behaving normally. If he is not, he should be seen by a professional. Maybe you should find a new vet If your vet is busy.
Ty 4 ur advice I will def watch and c the vinegar helped rite away tho but if he keeps balding I will get dip Ty again
I have an older cat who has had frost bitten ears. They are fine during the summer, but in fall and winter he starts to scratch them and they swell and BLEED alot. What can we do?
my cat is holding his head down like he is hurt.. laying around and sleeping alot.. what could be wrong
lang4884, There are numerous possibilities. Your description could describe anything from a bee sting to an ear infection. Get him to a vet promptly
My black cat has little white spots on the back of both ears, these are hard lumps about the size of a pin head,but still very visable, he doesn't scratch so they don't seem to be bothering him, tried squeezing one but they are hard, what are they should I be worried.
Claire, ear mites can appear as white specks about the size of the head of a pin. The ear problem may also be complicated by a bacterial infection. Clean the ears by a moistening a cotton wad or cloth with mineral oil. Gently touch and wipe the ear. Medicate the ears with a miticide such as Tresaderm. A vet will need to be consulted if there is a need for an antibiotic.
so my cat has been scratching its ear furiously for 3 weeks now its usually accompanied with load yells so we took him to the vet, well the vet tells us all that's in there is dirt and she gives us medicine to clean it up. forward about 2 weeks and we were cleaning his ear the way it was prescribed but hes still dong it (p.s he usually scratches moments after he wakes up then runs out of the room)
sabrina, Cats will experience chronic itching at times. Hydrocortisone spray or an a aloa-vera based lotion will help relieve it.
My cat is 1.5 years old now. My issue is that we observed her head shaking slightly for brief periods occasionally. My search of the internet didn't seem to produce anything that quite matched what I observed. Regardless the results tended to point towards the ears, which I looked into. I see no irritants / signs of irritation / excess wax or moisture, etc. We've been coping with a few fleas for about a month, the occasional flea bath using a BioSpot shampoo and one dose of topical Frontline Plus for cats 21 days ago. She had fleas about a year ago, in larger numbers and never showed any irregular head movement like this, so I don't know if that or the following is related. A couple nights ago we heard her randomly growl then prowl around low to the ground for a short time. (Nothing like that since). Night before last she peed on the carpet for the first time ever. We've been using a scented oil wall-plug thing for about a week now. I did not see the odd head movement at all when she was asleep. I would have taken her to the vet first thing today but none are open on Sundays around me (I looked up at least 8, in two cities). Now, I had to be out all day, but since getting home I have not observed the odd head movement at all tonight. Is it something I should be really worried about? Do I need to take her to the vet if I don't see it again? Thank you for your time.
Also - The head movement seemed involuntary and we only observed it last night for a couple hours. She didn't seem to be bothered by it / in pain, as we could get her to play and purr. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
My nine week old kitten's ears look moist down inside. No smell to them, and no scratching or signs of irritation. No discolouration or ear wax. So, is this alright?
Brookler, Yes this is ok as long as your kitten does not exhibit any abnormal behavior, and is eating
We have been taking care of a stray for the past year. He lives in my garage and outside. We have other cats and my male cat does not like new cats. My male cat got out and got to our stray. We broke up the fight. Our stray didn't look to bad at the time. A few days later he had blood coming from the top of his head next to his ear, his hair is gone in that area. He also has some scares on the side of his face below the air. We cleaned him up and doctored him for about a week with peroxide and neosporin. This past weekend I think he might have had a fever for a couple of days, he didn't move much and had cry coming out of his right eye. He seems to be doing better now but his right ear is warm or hot to touch and is red about half way up his ear. He was shaken his head and scratching but not too much now. The past 3 days I have been putting cocoanut oil on it and it looks a lot better. Just wondering if you think he has some type of infection I have been thinking we might need to take him to the vet but he is a stray and don't know how well this will work. Thank you
Sharon, He might have an infection. He should be looked at by a vet. Don't worry, They are experts in handling strays.
my cat was scratching all night.. so i thought he had fleas.. the next morning i wake up and he was very distant.. his ears were back like he didn't want me to touch him, i grabbed him and checked his ears out as i was checking them out he was shaking his head crazy. He has been shaking his head for a couple hours now. So i did some research and i saw he might have "ear mites" which is weird because he is an indoor cat, there are no black flakes in his ear .. nothing its pink and clear. i do not know the problem but i knoW hes in pain PLEASE HELP!
Danielle, your cat might have an infection in the inner ear. you should see a professional to have him examined. An antibiotic might be in order.
I have a problem that I think is related to the fungus infection scenario. My cat has this yellowish green ooze i her ear and it drys looking like snot on the outermost part of the lower ear canal. It smells terrible an if I touch it she gets mad and scratches her ear intensively. I am really worried. As I said before, when the crap dries, it looks like dried snot. Can you help me on how to get rid of this problem. It worries me something terrible.
Chris, Your cat will probably need to be examined by a vet to determine the type and amount of medication to administer if she indeed has an infection. See: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/ear-infections.h
Is it possible for the infection to dissipate on its own if she is kept dry and warm?
My cat's name is tiger and he is always scratching his ear, he leans to the side for a while and then starts scratching over and over again. He has dry blood in his ear, only one of them, I am sure he has an infection but I don't know which one, my sister is going to take me to the vet, I hope soon, but I want to know which infection Tiger has and what should I do for now should I clean his ear or just leave it like that cuz the blood is sticked to his ear. Plz Plz tell me I'm scared that something bad is going to happen to him. My B-Day is coming up on Feb. 19 and I want him to be well and also it is almost going to be a year since I found him outside of Foodtown on March 8,2011.
dani 4 years ago
ok i am having problems. my friends cat has always itched its ear. years now. i finally bring it with her to the vet and they thought ear mites. checked it out and it was bacteria. i have ear drops for this. now, the rest of my cats ears are bothering them. i thought the bacteria she decribed wasnt transferable? do they all have same thing or now do i have ear mites? also, my kitten was smacking his face so hard his claws get stuck when i got home from work. scared me. his drool was all over its feet. kept acting like he couldnt breath. spasms. brought to the vet and they said xray shows nothing. the kitten got stomach medicine to help calm it but then we were sent home. what could this be? it has been 9 hours now and it is less frequent but still happening. also i notice his arms are spasming. even when he sleeps. plz help. there is a possiblity he could have balloon string or the weeds/flowers/decoration flower around a rose in his throat. i just got these things for my birthday and they were all over the floor when i got home.