How do you tell if a cat has an ear infection?

How can I treat my cats ear infection at home?

Heavily moisten a cotton ball with the ear cleaner. Apply the cotton ball to the base of the ear and fold the ear flap over onto the cotton ball. Massage the base of the ear (you should hear a squishing sound), and then allow your cat to shake his head.

Will my cats ear infection go away on its own?

Outdoor cats and kittens are more prone to ear infections but even older, indoor felines may develop this pesky condition. Ear infections are painful and won't go away on their own, so it's important to be familiar with the signs that indicate there's a problem.

How do you check if your cat has an ear infection?

How do you check a cat's ears?

To check the inner ear, gently fold back your cat's ear flap and look into the ear canal. If your cat's ears are healthy, they should be a light pink, with minimal earwax and no obvious signs of inflammation. If you smell an unusual odor or see a lot of earwax, you'll want to have your cat examined by a vet.

Ear Infections in Cats - Pet Doctor

What's the inside of a cat's ear supposed to look like?

The inner side of the ear should be a healthy pink color. A small amount of black discharge may be observed in some cats. A large amount of black wax is often seen in cats with ear mites.

When should I take my cat to the vet for an ear infection?

Left untreated, ear infections can lead to hearing loss or more serious systemic infections. If you notice your cat scratching an ear or tilting its head, schedule a vet visit to investigate.

How much does it cost to treat cat ear infection?

Depending on each individual case, the cost to treat a dog or cat ear infection will vary greatly, but can initially cost anywhere from $50 to $300.

What is the black gunk in my cat's ears?

Some cats are more bothered by ear mites than others. Mites also stimulate the wax producing glands inside the ear canal. The result is a black, crusty build-up in the ears that resembles coffee grounds. This discharge is made of blood, wax, debris, and mites themselves.

What is the brown stuff in my cat's ears?

As with humans, it's completely normal for a small amount of earwax to form in your cat's ears. However, excessive wax buildup can occur if your kitty has allergies, a bacterial infection, systemic inflammation, ear mites, or a yeast infection. A cat's brown earwax often resembles dirt or dried blood inside the ears.

What does a cat ear yeast infection look like?

A thick brown or black discharge is a hallmark of yeast infection, although other types of ear infections and also ear mites can result in a dark discharge. Ears and skin with Malassezia overgrowth or infection often have an odor and some owners become adept at recognizing the yeasty smell.

What do vets prescribe for ear infections?

Antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, enrofloxacin, clindamycin, or cefpodoxime) will be used for a bacterial infection for 6-8 weeks minimum. If the infection is fungal in nature, an anti-fungal medication (most often itraconazole) will be prescribed.

How long does it take for a cat's ear infection to go away?

A typical course of antibiotics for treating an ear infection can be as brief as 5 to 7 days or as long as several months. In many cases, the ears may start looking better after only a few applications of medication or after only a few doses of oral medication.

What causes ear infections in cats?

Cat ear infections are usually the result of overgrown bacteria, yeast, or both. They can also be caused by: Food or environmental allergies. Wax build-up.

Do ear infections make cats sick?

Ear infections cause pain and discomfort, and the ear canals are sensitive. Many cats will shake their head and scratch their ears attempting to remove the debris and fluid from the ear canal. The ears often become red and inflamed and may develop an offensive odor.

Can you put peroxide in a cats ear?

Never use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to clean your cat's ears — these substances just aren't safe for your kitty. Also, never use cotton-tipped swabs, like Q-tips, in a cat's ear at home. It's just too easy to push debris and wax further down into the ear canal.

Do cats ears need to be cleaned?

Do all cats need to have their ears cleaned? No. While it is important to clean your cat's ears when needed, over-cleaning may cause irritation in the ear canal and this can lead to infection. Most cats have healthy, clean ears and never need to have their ears cleaned.

Can I use olive oil to clean my cat's ears?

Take your pet to the vet if his ears are red, have a bad odor or he is scratching his ears or shaking his head for proper care. Olive oil, mineral oil or coconut oil—oils are relatively safe to use, and olive oil can kill ear mites by smothering them though it takes many weeks to clear ear mites with this method.

How much does a vet charge for an ear infection?

The cost of ear infection treatment varies depending on your location and veterinary practice — but otitis externa treatments, which usually include the exam, ear cleaning and medicine, typically cost between $100 and $175.

Does apple cider vinegar get rid of ear mites in cats?

Additionally, apple cider vinegar can help to adjust the skin pH in your cat's ears, making a less hospitable environment for the mites to survive. Apple cider vinegar alone may not be enough to completely eliminate the ear mites from your kitty when combined with one of the other natural ear mite solutions for cats.

Is apple cider vinegar good for ear mites?

Apple cider vinegar is a great solution to problems with a dog's ear since it kills all bacteria. However, you shouldn't use vinegar if your dog's ear has become too sore as it can hurt. Mix the vinegar with water, it should be one-part water one-part vinegar. Put the mixture in a syringe or soak it into a cotton ball.

How can you tell the difference between ear mites and ear infection in cats?

What do ear mites look like in cat's ears?

Feline ear mites on the insides of the ears will look dirty, usually with a dark brown or reddish-brown debris. Sometimes a black crust forms, as well. This crust can clog the ear canal over time. Your veterinarian can easily diagnose feline ear mites.