Cat Ear Problems
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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. Spome 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,
Kato the Bengal kitten gets 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
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Comments
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
http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/Natural-Cure-for-C
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.
dani says:
2 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.