ᐉ Why does a cat scratch its ears until it bleeds?

There are a huge number of reasons why a cat scratches its ear until it bleeds. Some of them are quite harmless and can be easily eliminated.

Sometimes such changes indicate the development of diseases. The owner must determine as quickly as possible what led to the pet’s itching. Thanks to this, it will be possible to provide timely assistance and avoid serious problems.

What to do when a cat scratches its ear until it bleeds

Every cat must take care of itself. These animals are very clean and clean their fur, wash themselves often, and scratch their ears. But every owner should know what to do when a cat scratches its ear until it bleeds. This also happens. This occurs mainly due to ear diseases. Unfortunately, they happen quite often in animals. And the cat is trying to show you that something is bothering him, he feels discomfort and pain. He cannot solve this problem on his own, and the owner’s task is to detect health problems and various diseases in a timely manner.

Causes

A cat scratches its ears until it bleeds for various reasons. All of them are associated with diseases and conditions before the disease.

Among the most common reasons are:

ear inflammation - otitis media . It mainly affects the outer ear. Sometimes, the inflammatory process affects the pet’s middle and inner ear, which is much more serious and problematic. Of course, the behavior and anxiety of the animal directly depends on the severity of the disease. You can often find purulent discharge from a cat's ear, which has a characteristic odor. If otitis is unilateral, when one ear is affected, then the fluffy will itch on one side, where the ear is affected, tilt its head to that side, meow and ask you for help;
otodectosis . This is one of the most common and serious diseases that affects the hearing organs of cats. Otherwise it is also called ear scabies or ear mites. This disease is infectious in nature and is caused by a small species of tick. It affects the outer part of the ear. It is more common among representatives of the younger generation. And the most important sign is that the cat scratches behind its ears until it bleeds. These small parasites gnaw through the skin, damage its integument, feed on the pet’s blood, and secrete products in the course of their life activity that severely damage the nerve endings of the cat’s body. As a result, the cat suffers from itching, he is constantly in a state of anxiety, and cannot find a place for himself. Attacks of scratching occur suddenly and last for a very long time, the animal simply cannot stop. He also shakes his head all the time and rubs it against any surface. There are characteristic discharges from the auricle, which have a very pathogenic microflora, many dangerous viruses and bacteria. If assistance is not provided in a timely manner, the eardrum may burst, the animal’s brain may be affected, it will completely lose hearing and there is a risk of death as a result of blood poisoning of the body;
If a cat starts scratching behind its ears until it bleeds, then it is possible that it has fleas. They are mainly localized on the neck, head and behind the ears of tailed animals. In this case, it is necessary to carry out special treatment of the animal;
another reason is recent swimming. A little water may remain in the ear and cause discomfort;
after a head injury . When falling, being hit, or during a fight with relatives. A bruise may form in the ear;
polyps . This is a fairly rare disease in cats. They are placed in the ear canal and are noticeable even to the average person, without the help of any devices;
when hit by a foreign object . It often happens that a small object gets into the cat’s ear canal, or fur accumulates, wound into lumps. This causes discomfort in the cat, viruses and bacteria can accumulate there, it is difficult for air to pass through, and as a result - an inflammatory process;
if a cat scratches its ear until it bleeds, you can check it for the presence of skin diseases - dermatitis, eczema or an allergic reaction of the body;
not always, with strong and active scratching of the ears, your pet is sick. Perhaps this is just a signal that you missed the hygiene procedure and he just needs to clean his ears. Sulfur and dust accumulate in them and this brings discomfort.

The main task for the owner is to correctly diagnose the problem and provide first aid.

How to treat a combed area

The veterinarian should tell you what to do to eliminate the itching. Often, self-medication or delayed consultation with a doctor leads to serious problems.

At home, the most primitive activities are allowed. You can take a cotton swab, hydrogen peroxide, and treat the affected area.

Instead of peroxide, an alcohol solution or brilliant green is also used. You cannot apply ointments to your ears, use traditional medicine methods, or perform other manipulations yourself.

How to recognize the cause

To do this, you need to know the symptoms of ear diseases in your four-legged friends and start monitoring your cat.

Symptoms:

excessive attention to the ears is a direct signal of illness;
the cat rubs its head on absolutely every object in the house, and does this almost constantly;
in the outer ear the skin becomes sticky;
periodic shaking of the head and tilting it to one side;
discharge from the ear of absolutely any consistency and color, with an unpleasant odor;
if you wrap the ear, you can find black spots, accumulations, scratches, sores, wounds, redness;
the pet is restless, does not play at all, is nervous, growls. Sometimes he even shows aggression.

Animals' ears itch

Many cat owners experience otodectosis or ear scabies. Its causative agent, the mite Otodectes cynotis, affects cats, dogs, ferrets, and rodents. Small mites, up to 0.5 mm in size, first settle in the external auditory canal. They gnaw through the delicate skin of the ear canal and feed on the lymph secreted from the wounds. This causes severe itching in the ears of animals.

Inflammation of the skin leads to increased secretion of earwax, which mixes with the lymph secreted from the wounds and forms a loose, dirty-brown mass. In dogs, this discharge is usually darker than in cats, but in ferrets it can be dark brown. This mass contains ticks, as well as their eggs and the next generations of parasites that emerge from them - nymphs. Usually both ears are affected; unilateral otodectosis is less common.

Very often, otodectosis is complicated by a bacterial infection and purulent otitis develops, accompanied by the discharge of purulent contents with an unpleasant odor from the ear. This pus dries on the lower part of the ear and on the adjacent area of the fur.

In severe cases or when the animal is weakened, perforation of the eardrum occurs, inflammation spreads to the middle and inner ear and then to the meninges. The animal loses its appetite, the temperature rises, the head is constantly turned towards the sore ear, nervous attacks and convulsions are observed.

Severe neglected otodectosis can be fatal.

Ear mite infestation

Occurs through direct contact between animals. Of course, these parasites cannot move from ear to ear. However, some mites crawl from the ear to the surface of the body, where they live for up to a month, feeding on exfoliating skin particles.

It is these travelers who are the source of infection for other animals. Flea collars, while effective at protecting against external parasites, provide little protection against ticks. Therefore, infection most often occurs in the summer, when animals taken outside the city enjoy relative freedom and communication with each other. Ear mites can leave their host's body. Outdoors, in conditions of high humidity and variable temperature, they die in 4-5 days. But they can live on the floor in an apartment for up to a month. Therefore, an animal can become infected while visiting a house where there is a cat or dog with otodectosis, even without direct contact with them. You can bring ear mites into your home on your shoes if there are stray animals living on your landing. Ear mites can be carried on a person's hands if you pet another animal and then pet your own.

Symptoms

So, if your pet shakes its head, rubs its ears against furniture, scratches its ears, and there are accumulations of dark wax and purulent discharge in its ears, you need to show it to a veterinarian. There is no need to make a diagnosis yourself - similar symptoms can be observed with other diseases. To correctly diagnose otodectosis, it is necessary to detect mites under a microscope in a scraping of the ear contents.

Treatment

Includes the use of special drugs against ticks, antibiotic therapy in the presence of a purulent infection and the prevention of further infection. Before treatment, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the animal’s ears of secretions, as they prevent the penetration of medications into the diseased ear. However, not all of our pets are ready to calmly endure this manipulation. The owner needs to be firm and clean the ears, despite the animal’s violent protests. After careful treatment of the external auditory canal, medicinal drops are instilled into the ears.

Sanitation of the external auditory canal

Particular attention should be paid to hygienic cleaning of the ears. Some owners practice mechanical cleaning of ears using a cotton swab. It is difficult to clean the ear to the entire depth of the ear canal with a cotton swab, but pushing the wax inside and compacting it is very easy. In addition, you can injure the inner surface of the ear canal with a foreign object. Our veterinary specialists recommend not resorting to mechanical cleaning; ears can only be cleaned with special lotions and ear cleaning products.

We recommend cleaning your ears with special ear cleaning lotions at room temperature. Then you need to massage your ears for several minutes so that the lotion soaks some of the ear contents. Then the animal is allowed to actively shake its head and the separated crusts are carefully cleaned with a sterile napkin or cotton pad. The procedure is repeated until wax and exudate crusts stop being washed out of the ear. With otodectosis, one cannot be completely sure that the eardrum has not perforated. There is always a risk of additional infection entering the middle ear - complications of otodectosis are possible.

Drugs for the treatment of otodectosis

Moxidectin (Advocate, Inspector) Selamectin (Stronghold) Fipronil (Frontline, Frontline Combo)

These drugs are used in a course, as prescribed by a doctor. For prevention, use once a month. Many drugs cannot be used for pregnant and lactating animals, as well as for kittens and puppies younger than three months.

Fipronil

Currently, the drug Frontline, in the form of drops on the withers, is one of the best remedies for the treatment of otodectosis. Apply the drops to the withers or instill 4-6 drops into each ear (the drops must be injected into both ears). To distribute the drug evenly, fold the auricle in half and lightly massage its base. Frontline should not be used on puppies and kittens under 8 weeks of age.

In studies conducted on a wide variety of animals, ticks have been shown to die within 4-7 days. Since the effect of the drug on ticks lasts 1 month, and the development of these parasites lasts 17-25 days, the duration of action is sufficient to kill all ticks emerging from laid eggs, if a certain amount still remains there when cleaning the ears.

The drug Frontline Combo ensures the prevention of re-infection during the treatment process, since those mites that have moved from the ear canal to the surface, floor or furniture also die, and subsequently try to infect the ears again. Frontline Combo provides long-lasting protection thanks to its dual action - both on adult parasites and on individuals in the early stages of development - larvae. Frontline does not cause side effects even when the therapeutic dose is ten times or more. It is harmless to pregnant and lactating animals.

Frontline spray has been developed for puppies, kittens and dogs weighing up to two kilograms. They need to treat the baby until the fur is completely soaked. If you use Frontline correctly, strictly in accordance with the instructions, the treatment result will be excellent.

Treating premises against external parasites

When treating diseases transmitted by parasites, it is necessary to remember that re-infection with ticks that have “escaped” onto the floor or furniture is possible. Therefore, it is very important to simultaneously destroy parasites in the house along with treatment. This requires weekly wet cleaning of the entire house with a special anti-tick product. They are used in the form of solutions or sprays for treating floors and upholstered furniture.

You can purchase all medications for the treatment and prevention of otodectosis at the veterinary pharmacy of the Animal Health Center. We offer high-quality laboratory diagnostics and treatment of animal diseases at a high professional level.

Treatment

Initially, when a person notices that a cat is actively scratching its ears, it is necessary to lubricate the ear if the cat scratched it. For this, ointments with a healing effect that soothe and relieve inflammation are suitable. The second step is to thoroughly clean the inside of the cat’s ears, following all the rules of this procedure. And you need to contact a veterinary clinic.

There, during all the examinations and tests, specialists will determine the cause and prescribe effective treatment for your pet. The doctor prescribes: various ointments, ear drops, creams, mash, suspensions, various groups of medications. It all depends on the disease and its nature.

Preventive measures

Every responsible and good owner should monitor the health of their four-legged friend. His short list of responsibilities also includes ear care. It is necessary to clean them with some regularity (a couple of times a month), using special cosmetics. After the bathing procedure, free the ears from any water and moisture that has entered there. Avoid contact with sick animals, stray cats and dogs.

The most important thing is not to postpone visits to the doctor when the first symptoms of any disease appear. This will help to heal your furry friend in time and save you from serious consequences.

Symptoms of the disease

Otherwise, we recommend that you first establish the nature of the contamination in order to correctly diagnose and determine treatment for your pet.

Pay attention to your cat's behavior. In these cases, it is recommended to conduct an immediate examination of the health of the auricle :

The pet constantly tilts its head to the right or left side.
The cat presses its paws to its ear, rubbing or scratching it until it bleeds.
Any touch to the ears causes acute pain to the pet; it prevents inspection.
The cat became nervous and irritable. Spends a lot of time alone and is constantly hidden from view.
Partial or complete loss of appetite, interest in games and physical activity.
An unpleasant odor that comes from an animal.
Redness of the outer ear, in some cases - the appearance of discharge with blood or pus.
Excessive accumulation of earwax in the ear canal.
When you press on your pet's outer ear, a characteristic crackling or squelching sound is heard.

There are several reasons why a cat scratches its ears intensely. By identifying the pathogen, it will be easier for you to determine the nature of the disease and a possible solution to the problem.

The causes of itching in the ears may be:

various infections;
bacteria;
fungal pathogens;
other parasites;
physical reasons.

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You have found minor dirt in your ear canal. In this case, we recommend preparing cotton wool (you can use cotton swabs), a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide, or a special liquid for cleaning the ears of animals, which is sold in any veterinary store. Using cotton wool soaked in the solution, carefully remove dirt.

Not a single drop of solution should enter the cat's ear canal. It is also strictly prohibited to use alcohol- or soap-based liquids.

There is a lot of dark-colored dirt in the ear that smells unpleasant. In particularly advanced cases, dirt and dry crusts literally pour out of the cat’s ear. Sometimes the animal’s temperature rises, apathy is observed, and seizures and convulsions may occur. Most likely, a so-called microscopic mite has settled in the auricle. The disease caused by this pathogen is also called “ear scabies” or otodectosis. In this case, you should immediately take action and take your pet to a veterinarian, who can select special medications for him.

Ear scabies is an infectious disease that can appear in cats and dogs. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a sick animal in quarantine for some time, and thoroughly disinfect its place of stay.

The animal keeps tilting its head and tearing its ears until they bleed. In this situation, if no measures have been taken to treat ear scabies, otitis media may appear - inflammation of the ear. There are other reasons for the appearance of this disease, for example, accidental entry of water or a foreign body into the ear canal, hypothermia, cerumen plug or fungus.

In this case, the animal must also be taken to a specialist. If the disease has just begun or is mild, the doctor will prescribe special drops, and if it is advanced, then antibiotics will have to be used.

Advice: in order to avoid further scratching of the ears, put on your pet a plastic Elizabethan collar , special overalls or vinyl caps on the claws - “anti-scratches”.

The inner ear is bright red, hot, and looks inflamed. In almost all cases, the cause of this is a hematoma, which appears after a strong blow, bruise or bite, which provokes hemorrhage into the soft tissues. Sometimes upon examination you can even detect severe swelling.

A small hematoma can be cured by taking special medications, but in particularly complex or advanced cases you will have to seek help from a qualified surgeon. In some situations, a cat may even experience a curvature of the auricle, its deformation. If the tumor in the ear is filled with pus, then the animal is diagnosed with an abscess. In such a situation, the veterinarian will prescribe the pet first or second generation antibiotics, as well as painkillers.

If measures are not taken to treat the hematoma, then the process of death (necrosis) may begin on the soft tissues, and the animal will partially or completely lose the outer ear.

The cat scratched its neck until it bled: what to do, what to apply, how to treat it

Skin diseases of cats are a common phenomenon, since the upper layer of the epidermis performs a protective function and blocks the access of pathogens to the animal’s body.

But the pet’s immune system is not always able to withstand all external and internal provoking factors.

It is necessary to be attentive to your pet and promptly respond to any changes in its behavior. If a cat scratches its neck until it hurts, you first need to recognize the underlying cause of the disease.

Possible causes of sores on the ears and head of cats

The ears of domestic and wild animals are an indicator that signals possible disturbances in the functioning of the cat’s body. In allergic reactions caused by changes in diet, contact with household chemicals, and medications, the ears react. The appearance of sores on the ears and head of a cat is provoked by the following reasons:

diseases of fungal etiology;
parasitic diseases (otodectosis);
viral infections;
diseases of the endocrine system;
various wounds and scratches;
malfunctions of the immune system.

Any type of pathology that develops in a cat’s ears has a certain number of characteristic signs. In the presence of accompanying factors, a specific plaque forms on the auricle, causing odor from the auricle. Advanced ear canal infections spread to the tips of the ears and muzzle.

If the cat's face is covered with crusts, and the animal itself looks lethargic, loses its appetite, and tries to sleep more, then in this case it is advisable to suspect disturbances in the functioning of the immune system. A decrease in the body's defenses is accompanied by damage to the skin and coat.

Seborrhea may be present on the skin, the fur may become dull and areas of baldness may form. Skin diseases occur in response to contact with household chemicals and medications. Often the cause of the formation of crusts on the ears and face, as well as ulcerative lesions, are changes in diet and a change in climate zone. The skin of kittens and older animals reacts especially sharply.

The development of sores on a cat’s ears is also provoked by medications whose action is aimed at destroying ectoparasites. Some drugs are quite toxic.

Less commonly diagnosed is solar eczema, which is characterized by specific symptoms - the earlobe is covered with crusts, the coat thins, wounds form on the face, and itching appears.

Sores, itching and the appearance of crusts are also caused by subcutaneous parasites - mites. In veterinary medicine, there are several types of subcutaneous mites that parasitize cats, causing itching and redness. By actively reproducing and gnawing holes in the upper layers of the epidermis, mites provoke a decrease in the body’s immune forces. In addition to itching, due to the activity of the parasite, the animal’s body is poisoned by toxic substances released by mites during its life. The cat scratches the bite sites, tears the skin, introduces pathogenic bacterial microflora, which leads to the formation of crusts and wounds.

Often in the practice of veterinarians there is a fungal infection that affects the face and ears of cats. The specificity of mycoses lies in long-term diagnosis and no less long-term treatment. There is a possibility of healing the cat, but not curing it completely.

This is due to the fact that some fungi are constantly present on the animal’s skin, being opportunistic. When immunity decreases, they begin to actively multiply, provoking inflammatory processes. There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of mallesiosis and candidiasis in cats. These include:

violation of diet;
hypothermia;
decreased immunity;
chronic diseases of internal organs;
violation of rules for caring for a pet.

With fungal infections, symptoms such as refusal to eat, lethargic general condition of the animal, and constant itching in the ears and face are observed. Crusts with dried blood particles form on the ears. A characteristic feature of a fungal infection is a foul odor emanating from the ear.

Find out also about the possible causes of sores in a cat’s neck >>>

Symptoms and diagnosis of why a cat itches

Many pathologies can cause annoying itching. But at the same time, you should not confuse the daily combing and licking of the animal, which he does for hygienic purposes.

Alarming symptoms:

the pet itches constantly, scratching the skin to the point of wounds;
bald patches appear;
the pet behaves aggressively;
the fur falls out in clumps;
appetite decreases;
the eyes turn sour;
ulcers and erosions form;
dandruff appears.

If painful signs appear, you should contact your veterinarian. Only a specialist can determine the root cause of itching.

Diagnostic methods:

visual inspection of the cat;
bacterial culture;
blood test to identify the allergen;
cytological examination of skin tissue, which allows us to identify the functionality of cellular elements;
skin scraping, eye wash, ear and nose swab.

Depending on the data received, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment. Self-medication is not recommended, as this will not only not help the pet, but will also significantly complicate the situation.

Diagnosis and treatment of possible diseases

The appearance of itching in the cat's ears should not go unnoticed by the owner. To determine the exact cause that provoked ear discomfort in an animal, a thorough diagnosis is necessary. A general clinical examination is carried out, with special attention paid to the affected area.

The veterinarian uses a special device - an otoscope, which allows you to examine not only the visible parts of the auricle, but also look deeper. Otoscopy makes it possible to visualize the integrity of the eardrum, the presence of pathological exudate in the ear and determine the degree of inflammation.

Be sure to take a scraping from the affected area for further examination under a microscope. If bacterial otitis is suspected in a cat, bacterial culture is carried out on nutrient media, which makes it possible to determine the sensitivity of pathogens to antibiotics.

After making a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes therapy, after which the owner will continue to treat the animal at home. If otitis media of bacterial origin is detected, special drops with antimicrobial action are prescribed. Fungal otitis is treated with drops with an antifungal effect. In this case, the course of therapy is longer.

If the cause of itching in the ear is an allergic reaction, diagnostics are carried out to identify the foreign protein that provoked a specific change in the body. As a rule, the cause of itchy ears is a food allergy. Elimination of the main factor leads to normalization of the body's functioning.

Main reasons

Itching can be caused by both internal and external causes. Most often this is due to the presence of fleas, even if they could not be identified during a visual inspection.

Moreover, irritation on the skin from their bites can persist for 1-1.5 months after the pet has been treated.

The waste products of helminths, as well as the toxins released by them, provoke skin rashes and allergic reactions.

There are other provoking factors that cause an unpleasant symptom. Each of them can be manifested by characteristic itching, but in addition to this, there are other symptoms that make it possible to diagnose the pathology.

Therefore, it is necessary to consider all possible causes and become familiar with their characteristic features.

Helminths

Parasites have a negative impact not only on the digestive organs, but also contribute to the loss of essential nutrients.

As a result, the cat does not receive enough of the necessary components from food, which leads to increased dryness of the epidermis and the appearance of dandruff. This feature provokes itching. Therefore, the pet tries to lick itself more often and more intensely in order to eliminate the unpleasant symptom.

The waste products of helminths, as well as the toxins released by them, provoke skin rashes and an allergic reaction.

Helminthiasis occurs in both adults and kittens. Infection occurs through flea bites and contact with an infected animal.

Parasites can be transmitted to humans and other pets ; treatment should be carried out on everyone at the same time.

Characteristic features:

faded, matted fur;
peeling of the epidermis;
changes in taste preferences due to digestive failure;
sour eyes;
unusual behavior.

For prevention purposes, it is recommended to vaccinate or regularly give special suspensions, which can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy.

Ringworm

This fungal disease also causes annoying itching in cats. The provoking factor for development is a lowered immune system and an unbalanced diet.

Ringworm causes annoying itching in cats

Infection can occur through contact with a sick street animal, as well as from an owner who brings spores of a pathogenic fungus on his clothes. Lack of treatment can cause the death of your pet.

The danger of ringworm is that it can be transmitted to humans. Therefore, therapy should be started at the first signs to avoid serious complications.

Additional signs:

the fur falls out in clumps;
bald patches appear on the body;
inflamed areas become covered with scales and become inflamed;
the pet constantly shows anxiety;
the wool is greasy, matted, without a healthy shine;
claws become deformed;
lack of interest in food;
In place of bald patches, ulcers form.

The general condition of the sick animal is depressed; when licking and scratching the ulcers, the animal may meow pitifully, as this causes pain.

Lice, ticks, fleas and skin parasites

All external parasites not only bite the animal, causing skin irritation, but also leave behind waste products, which provokes an unpleasant symptom.

Causes of itching

Owners do not always immediately begin to sound the alarm when they discover scratching on their pet. Often they believe that this is not a very serious problem. If the scratching is minor and the itching does not particularly bother the cat, the owner can completely ignore this problem. But it is worth remembering that many diseases are curable only in the first stages. Therefore, it is important to promptly find out the cause of itching and provide professional help to your pet.

Lichen

This is an extremely contagious fungal disease that is also dangerous for humans. It is easily transmitted from a sick animal to a healthy one through short bodily contact, or even through grooming items (combs, nail clippers). Without timely treatment, lichen in dogs, like in cats, can lead to serious consequences for the health of the animal.

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The main symptoms of lichen infection:

The coat appears unhealthy. A large number of broken hairs.
Small bald spots appear, which the cat actively scratches. They can be found primarily on the head, neck and paws.
Hard crusts appear on bald spots.
Lost fur grows back very slowly.
Dandruff appears on the skin.
In the final stages, purulent lesions form.

Skin parasites

Fleas are a very common parasite, especially among cats that have free access to the outdoors. Fleas are quite dangerous, because their bites lead to a decrease in the animal’s immunity. The cat becomes vulnerable to various bacteria and fungi. Flea bites cause severe itching, causing the animal to constantly scratch. Particularly sensitive cats may scratch their skin until it bleeds.

Your cat can also pick up ticks, lice and coccidia. However, the animal does not have to go outside for this. The owner may well bring some parasites with him on shoes and clothes.

The main symptoms of infection with skin parasites:

deterioration in the appearance of fur;
severe itching;
anxiety;
fleas and ticks can be seen visually if you look closely at the animal’s skin.

A tick bite can lead to quite serious consequences. At the same time, the animal’s temperature may rise, loss of appetite, and decreased activity.

It is best to consult a veterinarian to remove a tick. If the procedure is performed incorrectly, parts of the tick may remain in the animal's skin, which can cause a purulent abscess to form.

Allergy

An allergic reaction can occur completely unexpectedly in any cat. Most often, animals suffer from food allergies. It often manifests itself when changing the diet or adding new foods to it. Food allergies are the easiest to identify and therefore easy to combat.

But when diagnosing non-food allergies, problems can arise. In this case, it is not always possible to determine which allergen caused the body’s negative reaction.

An allergic reaction can be caused by:

individual food products (often chicken and milk);
pollen and plant parts;
flea and tick bites;
various chemical elements contained in cleaning products and perfumes;
dust.

Otitis

Otitis of the external ear is a serious disease that can cause many problems for the animal. Infection of the ear canals leads to inflammation. The cat constantly shakes its head and scratches its face until it bleeds.

The main symptoms of otitis in a cat:

redness of the ear;
anxiety;
the cat constantly shakes its head;
the animal scratches its ears and muzzle;
increased body temperature;
In the absence of timely treatment, pus may begin to leak from the auricle.

Worms

Even completely domestic cats are not immune from infection with worms. Parasite eggs can enter the animal's body through raw meat, unwashed hands, clothing, and grass. Infection with helminths leads to decreased immunity and disruption of the body.

The main symptoms of helminth infection:

Deterioration in the appearance of the coat, scratching.
Defecation disorder.
The animal quickly loses weight.
Itching in the area of the anus, which causes the animal to rub it on the floor and carpets.
Decline in activity or, conversely, excessive anxiety.
In advanced cases, severe shortness of breath occurs.

Bacterial diseases

Bacteria and fungi are found in small quantities on the skin of any cat. Usually, they do not cause any problems to the animal. But if the animal gets sick, its immunity is reduced, and the body is weakened, fungi and bacteria begin to actively multiply, which often leads to severe itching and scratching.

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At risk are cats that already suffer from diabetes, allergies, and hyperthyroidism. This problem often occurs in kittens.

One of the most common bacterial infections in cats is pyoderma . Its main symptoms:

severe itching;
peeling of the skin;
Scabs form on the wounds;
baldness of certain areas of the skin;
formation of purulent abscesses.

Pyoderma is very dangerous for cats. When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Stress

All animals experience stressful situations differently. For some, moving or even ordinary fear can lead to not entirely adequate reactions. Constant licking of the same places may indicate mental disorders of the animal.

Of course, such a diagnosis can only be made after all other possible causes of itching have been excluded during the diagnostic process. The main symptoms of mental disorders and stress:

refusal to eat;
a decrease in activity or, conversely, excessive excitability;
the animal constantly scratches or licks one place.

Breeds in which this problem most often occurs: Burmese, Orientals, Abyssinian and Siamese cats.

Disruption of hormone production

Disruption of the endocrine system leads to the appearance of various symptoms, including itching and scratching. A number of diseases that cause disruption of hormone production:

Diabetes.
Cushing's syndrome.
Thyroid dysfunction.

Main symptoms:

Hair loss and bald patches.
Dryness and flaking of the skin.
Severe itching and scratching.

The main types of diseases that cause itching

All diseases that are characterized by the appearance of an annoying symptom in the neck area can be divided into several main categories.

Types of diseases:

Flea infestation;
helminthiasis;
diseases (trichophytia, microsporia)

Toedroz;
scabies;
sarcoptic mange;
demodicosis;
otodectosis;
cheyletiosis

Miliary dermatitis;
atopic dermatitis

Acne;
bedsores;
eczema

Treating itching in a cat

For treatment, drugs are used whose action is aimed at eliminating the main cause of the pathological process. Therapy should be carried out with the approval of a veterinarian based on the established diagnosis.

Attention! You should not self-medicate based on your assumptions, since the appearance of a scratch or wound is only a symptom of a concomitant disease.

Basic treatment methods depending on the type of disease:

Parasitic infections. To eliminate external parasites, the wool is treated with the following types of preparations: Bars, Hartz, Bayer, as well as anti-scabies ointments (ivermectin, aversectin). In case of helminthiasis, Drontal and Prazicide are prescribed. Antihistamines are used to reduce unpleasant itching - Tavegil.
Fungal pathologies. Bald spots on the neck are treated with Sanoderm and Miconazole ointments, which are used until the pathological signs are completely eliminated. It is also acceptable to use special shampoos such as Sebozol or Nizoral. In particularly difficult cases, the doctor prescribes vaccination using Polivac or Vakderm.
Bacterial diseases. Antiseptic agents such as Formalin or Miramistin are used to treat wounds. After this, the scratches should be treated with ointments: for dry eczema - naphthalene or Vishnevsky, for wet eczema - Lassara or zinc. To eliminate bedsores, Levomekol ointment is prescribed.
Allergic reactions. Antihistamines are prescribed: Stop-itching, Suprastin, Tavegil.

Depending on the severity and form of the pathology, the doctor may also prescribe immunomodulators, antibiotics, gastroprotectors, probiotics and other types of medications.

Therapy methods

Treatment depends on what problem is causing the itching. This could be dermatitis, fungus, ear mites, otitis media and other pathologies.

Dermatitis should be treated with drops containing novocaine. Using a swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide, the crusts are carefully removed, and the ulcers are treated with an astringent ointment.

Fungal infections are treated with antifungal agents.

Ear mites are removed by mechanical cleaning of the ear canals. A swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide is used. Additionally, medicinal drops and ointments are used. In case of advanced disease, injections with antibiotics are prescribed.

Therapy for otitis media is selected depending on the disease. First of all, you need to treat the ears with a cotton swab with peroxide.

Immediately after these manipulations, treatment procedures using the following drugs begin:

Leopard;
Otoferonol premium gold;
Aurikan;
Oricin;
Surolan;
Ordermil.

Tick-borne otitis media is treated comprehensively. Drugs prescribed:

Anandin;
Tsipam;
Decor.

Antimycotic agents are also used:

Clotrimazole ointment;
shampoos Nizoral, Sebazol.

The products are applied to the inside of the ear. They cannot be washed off, otherwise there will be no therapeutic effect.

For fungal and yeast forms of otitis, it is necessary to strengthen the animal’s immunity.

The bacterial variety of pathology often leads to the development of diseases that are difficult to treat.

Local medications are prescribed:

Otonazole;
Otibiovin;
Mastitis.

Advanced forms of the disease are treated with novocaine blockades with antibiotics. After the course of treatment, preventive treatment is carried out. This way it is possible to prevent relapses .

An allergy is diagnosed when a pet scratches its ear, but there is no discharge. In this case, local and systemic antihistamines are used.

Special drops are used against fleas; they are applied to the withers. If the animal is often outdoors, then an anti-flea collar is used.

Detected hematomas, formations, and polyps are removed surgically. Identified foreign bodies are removed immediately. The animal's ears are treated with antiseptic drugs.

How to help your pet at home

To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, it is recommended to use compresses or wipes based on medicinal herbs.

Effective recipes:

Calendula. Pour 30g of plant collection into 250 ml of water. Boil the mixture for 15 minutes, without letting it boil too much. Leave for 2 hours, peel. Use as a rub, lubricating scratches and wounds on the neck.
Chamomile. Pour 30 g of herb into 200 ml of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. Cleanse and use as a compress on wounds and ulcers. Use the product 3-4 times a day until complete recovery.

If the cat continues to actively lick the inflamed areas, which interferes with their healing, a veterinary cone or Elizabethan collar should be used.

Prevention

To protect your pet from diseases, you must follow certain rules of prevention:

Preventive visits to the veterinarian at least once every 6 months.
Regularly taking antiparasitic medications prescribed by your doctor.
Apply drops or a collar against fleas and ticks.
Balance your pet’s diet so that it contains all the necessary vitamins and microelements.
Regularly change bedding and treat your pet's equipment.
Avoid contact with street animals.

Why does a cat scratch behind its ear until it bleeds?

After hunting fun in nature, dirt and remnants of “prey” remain . This leads to an unpleasant odor. By licking itself, a cat not only removes foreign objects (dirt, food, etc.) from its fur, but also smells.

First of all, the cat washes its face and ears. But sometimes an animal literally “tears” its own ears: it constantly pulls them with its front and hind paws, shakes its head, and rubs its ears hard against various objects in the house.

If a cat scratches behind the ear until it bleeds, it means that the itching and/or pain is very strong. You need to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Petstory service - an online assistant for cat owners

After a couple of days of self-treatment, is your cat still scratching his ears? Contact your veterinarian immediately. Install the Petstory service on your smartphone, and you can almost immediately contact a specialist to find out what to do next.

Does the veterinarian insist on the need for an in-person consultation and laboratory tests? Using the service, you can make an appointment remotely at any veterinary clinic in your city, and you can choose an institution with the optimal cost of admission for you.

Download the specialized application for pet owners Petstory on the IOS and Android platforms using the link – https://petstory.ru/prilozhenie-konsultacija-veterinar/.

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The main reasons for scratching the ears

As a rule, ear diseases are accompanied by changes in the surrounding fur. It becomes dull, rolls into lumps, and becomes wet from inflammatory exudate.

Sulfur plugs

It is necessary to regularly check the ears for the presence of dry discharge, and remove accumulations of wax with a tightly rolled cotton or gauze swab (plastic cotton swab). The external auditory canal in cats is wide, so caring for the ears will not be a problem.

Ear mites (otodectosis, or ear scabies)

Ear mites in cats belong to the group of invasive ear diseases.

The disease usually occurs after contact with sick animals (the tick is especially often transmitted from an infected cat to kittens). A small mite attaches to the hairs of the external auditory canal, gnawing through the epidermis. This parasite feeds on blood and lymph. The integrity of the skin is compromised: first there is liquid discharge from the ears, then blood crusts appear.

Mite waste products irritate skin receptors. The ears begin to itch - the animal becomes restless. A secondary infection (viral, bacterial, fungal) is layered onto damaged covering tissues, which can result in suppuration and even sepsis.

Ear mites, like many parasites, are most active in the warm season. Regular examination is the most reliable method for detecting skin parasites.

Diagnosis of otodectosis is made by collecting contents from the ear canal and examining it under a microscope.

Inflammation of the external auditory canal, which can “spread” to the inner ear. Discharge from the ears begins: at first it is liquid and colorless, then it becomes thick and purulent, often with an unpleasant odor. The cat tilts its head to the side of the affected ear. Sometimes damage to the ear canals can be bilateral.

Ear tumors

Polyps and other benign tumors can grow from the tissues of the ear canal, blocking its lumen. More often they occur in young individuals (up to 4 years old). It is important to “catch” and remove the tumor before it becomes malignant and metastasizes. Ear canal cancer is more the prerogative of older cats. But, fortunately, it rarely occurs.

Head and ear injuries

Head injury in a cat. Injury near the ear.

Fights with neighbor cats, falls from heights, and impacts with objects can cause ear damage. Such conditions are easily diagnosed - after external influences, as a rule, the wound is extensive and extends not only to the ears, but also to any area of the head.

Foreign objects

Examination of the cat's ear to look for foreign objects.

While walking, insects, plant particles, and sand can get into your cat's ear. Every time after your pet goes outside, you should inspect its ear canals.

Water got into ears after swimming

After swimming, water could get into the ears. Therefore, veterinarians recommend using special caps while bathing.

The cat is worried and intensively shakes its head from side to side, trying to remove fluid from the ear canal. After the bath, you need to use a cotton swab to “take away” all the water from your ears.

Skin diseases

Allergic or infectious dermatitis, eczema. Dermatitis can be diagnosed by redness and swelling on the skin, which can be seen when the fur is parted. A characteristic sign of eczema is small bursting blisters with light gray contents on a bright red background, which, when opened, form small ulcers.

Why does a cat scratch its ear?

The owner understands that the animal is bothered by its ears when the pet begins to frequently press them, shake its head, and any touch to the ears brings painful sensations. If a cat scratches its ears until it bleeds, then the reason is quite serious. The cause of pain in the ear is injuries received by the animal during hygiene procedures (damage to the eardrum). If you suspect injury to the membrane in the ear, which is responsible for transmitting air vibrations to the internal structures of the ear, it is necessary to show the cat to a veterinarian.

In addition to improper ear cleaning, the cause of discomfort and itching in the ear, along with other symptoms, can be:

Sulfur plug. A factor that often provokes the appearance of specific symptoms in the animal’s ear area. Under normal conditions, the body works smoothly and the wax formed in the ear canal begins to move outward at the moment of chewing movements. Some cat breeds, due to their breed characteristics, suffer from increased formation of wax, which leads to constantly dirty ears. The animal experiences discomfort and tries to get rid of the itching factor on its own. If your pet has increased sulfur formation, it is recommended to carry out regular cleanings using special products. In this case, processing should be carried out not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
Inflammation of the ear canal. Quite often, the reason cat owners turn to the veterinarian is otitis media. This is an inflammatory process that develops as a result of exposure to many factors. Inflammation, as well as itching and pain, can be caused by water entering the ear, hypothermia, or parasitic infestations. Otitis is always accompanied by a general decrease in the body's resistance. The occurrence of otitis is accompanied by an increase in local, and in some cases, general body temperature, a decrease in appetite, and a disturbance in the animal’s condition - the cat behaves restlessly, often scratches its ears, and may meow indignantly while scratching its ears. It is difficult to identify the underlying provoking factor without the help of a veterinarian, so it is recommended to contact a veterinary clinic, where they will not only conduct a thorough diagnosis, but also prescribe adequate treatment.
Allergic type reactions. Allergies may be the reason your cat shakes its head and scratches its ears. A specific reaction of the immune system can be caused by foreign proteins found in food, certain medications, as well as products used by the animal owner during bathing and caring for the ears. If food allergies are diagnosed, it is necessary to eliminate the irritating factor and change food, reviewing the diet in general. Corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve inflammation.
Otodectosis. A disease caused by microscopic ear mites. Otodectosis or ear scabies is characterized by severe itching in the animal's ear area and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. Microscopic parasites choose for their existence the inner part of the auricle and the outer part of the ear canal. In addition to severe itching, otodectosis is accompanied by the release of a specific exudate from the ear, often mixed with pus. Infection with ear mites can occur not only in cats that have free access to the outdoors, but also in completely domestic pets.
Ectoparasites. Damage to a cat's skin by ectoparasites, mainly fleas, leads to serious consequences. General immune defense decreases, and allergies may develop due to flea bites. Jumping all over the animal's body and constantly biting it at the same time, fleas provoke itching, which also spreads to the ears.
Fungal infections. Infection of the auricle with pathogenic fungi leads to the development of inflammation. Quite often in veterinary practice, cats are diagnosed with otitis media caused by fungi of the Malassezia genus. It is noteworthy that these microorganisms are considered part of the normal microflora and do not cause characteristic changes during normal immune function. As soon as the immune status decreases, fungi and bacteria begin to actively develop, causing itching and other characteristic symptoms of otitis media.
Mechanical damage. The cause of ear canal injury in a cat can be foreign objects stuck in the ear. Damage to the tissue structures of the ear can also occur in case of prolonged scratching with the paws. A hematoma forms, which subsequently leads to inflammation. Such changes should not be ignored. You need to go to the clinic, where, using a special instrument (otoscope), the doctor will be able to identify the underlying cause that caused the cat’s severe itching and anxiety.
Water in the ear canal. A reason that often occurs among cat owners who do not adhere to safety rules when bathing their pet. After water penetrates the ear canal, the cat will instinctively begin to shake its head and scratch its ear with its paws, trying to get rid of the unpleasant sensations. Experts recommend that when bathing a cat, insert special cotton swabs into the ears, and after bathing, carefully blot off excess water using cotton swabs.
Malignant and benign neoplasms. Tumors in the auricle are diagnosed relatively rarely, compared to lesions of other organs and systems. But in some cases, when the tissue structures of the sebaceous glands or glands that produce sulfur secretion grow excessively, tumors arise. These are mostly benign formations, but can degenerate into a malignant course. Therefore, it is not recommended to leave such changes unattended.