In cats, ear diseases are one of the most common among all groups of diseases. The main reason is the complex anatomy of cat ears, which is subject to potential risks. Problems can affect both the visible parts of the ear (pinna, external auditory canal) and those that are inaccessible to the human eye (middle ear, inner ear). An article from “Murkoshi” will help you figure this out.
1) Signs of ear problems 2) Diagnosis 3) Basic ear diseases 4) Treatment 5) Prevention
Signs of ear problems
Normally, cats' ears are shiny and clean, but not wet. The skin inside the ear is a uniform pale pink color. There is no visible discharge in the ear; at most, there may be a small accumulation of light yellow wax without a strong odor. If a kitten develops an ear disease, it will manifest itself with some of the following symptoms:
1. The cat shakes its head and purses its ears. 2. The cat actively scratches its ears and even scratches them until they bleed, resulting in crusts and wounds appearing. 3. There is no (or weakened) reaction to sounds. 4. If you touch the ears at the base, the cat presses them and tries to escape, bites and scratches. 5. Swelling, unnatural growths and bumps are found inside.
Read more: The cat has a swollen ear: what to do
6. The skin in the ear is red, peeling, there are signs of inflammation and crusting. 7. Discharge in the ears ranges from whitish to dark brown. 8. A putrid or sweetish (unnatural) odor comes from the ears. 9. Shortness of breath and nasal discharge are observed. 10. There may be problems with motor coordination and balance.
Video “How to clean the ears of a cat and dog”
To prevent the consequences, as in the photo, of the formation of plugs and mites, watch the video for the correct process of cleaning cats’ ears.
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Diagnostics
Murkoshi specialists recommend that if you find one or more of the symptoms listed above, immediately take your pet to a veterinary clinic or call a specialist at home. There are many causes of ear diseases in cats; signs, as a rule, can indicate several diseases at once, so without special education it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis. And untimely treatment can seriously worsen the condition of a mustachioed pet.
Ear diseases in cats can be parasitic, fungal, infectious, inflammatory and traumatic. The color of the discharge from the ears will help determine the cause of the disease (normally, if there is any, it is light yellow - this is the color of earwax). If they are whitish (similar to a curd mass) or yellow, then most likely it is a fungal disease. Yellow-brown discharge indicates bacteria (eg, bacterial otitis media). And if dark brown masses, similar to coffee grounds, accumulate in the ear, then this may indicate that the cat has ear mites.
But for an accurate diagnosis, tests are needed - for example, an ear smear. This will be done at a veterinary clinic. The doctor may resort to a more accurate diagnosis. In any case, immediately or after a while they will tell you what exactly the problem with your ears is and what medications you need to treat it with.
Can ear infections in cats be prevented?
The best way to prevent another painful ear infection is to check your ear regularly for redness, marks or odor. Healthy ears are pale pink in color, there is no visible debris or odor, and there is virtually no earwax.
By checking regularly, you can catch a potential ear infection early and treat it before it gets worse. It's best to have your veterinarian show you how to clean your cat's ear, or do it yourself.
Never insert a cleaning device into the ear canal itself unless your veterinarian has instructed you to do so.
Major ear diseases
Let's look at the most common ailments that often occur in our beloved purrs. 1. Otodectosis . Caused by a microscopic parasite - ear mites. Most cats become infected with it through contact from already sick animals. Ear mites are not transmitted to humans; they are only dangerous to cats and dogs. However, a cat’s good immunity will help cope with the parasite without any special consequences, so either kittens (whose immunity is not yet sufficiently developed) or animals with weakened immunity for one reason or another are susceptible to the disease.
Read more about this disease: Treatment of ear mites in cats
2. Otitis media . One of the most common ear diseases in kittens. In fact, this is a whole group of diseases associated with inflammatory processes in different parts of the ear - external, middle or internal. Most often, otitis media accompanies other ailments and pathologies and develops against their background. The most common are parasitic (complication after otodectosis) and bacterial otitis. If left untreated, otitis media can lead to serious consequences, including complete deafness.
Read more about otitis media: Treatment of otitis media in cats
3. Eczema of the ear . As a rule, it is a complication of inflammation of the outer ear. The most common causes of the disease are foreign bodies, water or chemicals entering the ear.
Read more about what eczema is: How to cure eczema in a cat
4. Polyps and tumors . Both are neoplasms (growths) in the ears. Only polyps are considered benign, and tumors are considered malignant. Polyps occur more often in young animals, and tumors occur more often in older animals. Both formations are removed surgically. In the absence of qualified help, they lead to extremely serious consequences: a polyp can block the eardrum (as a result - its rupture and complete deafness), and a tumor can even lead to death. Fortunately, tumors in cats are relatively rare.
What Causes Ear Infections in Cats?
Typically, unless your cat acquired mites from another animal, ear infections are a secondary condition. This means that they are actually the result of some other underlying medical problem.
Here are some of the causes and contributing factors for the development of outer ear infections, called otitis externa, and middle ear infections, called otitis media:
- Excessive growth of yeast or bacteria, or often both.
- Accumulation of wax in the ear canal
- Thick hair in the ear canal
- Allergy to food or pollen.
- Autoimmune diseases
- Tumors/polyps in the ear canal
- Rupture of the eardrum
- Improper ear cleaning
- Foreign bodies such as grass bristles
- Environmental irritants
- Diabetes
- Diseases that suppress the immune system, such as FIV or feline leukemia virus.
Middle ear infections are usually the result of an infection that has spread there from the external ear canal.
Treatment
The first step in the treatment of cat ear diseases is to cleanse the auricle of the contents using lotions, such as Ottoclin, Bars, Globalvet, etc. The lotion dissolves dirt, removes secretions out, after which all that remains is to clean them off with a cotton pad . After cleaning the ear, if it was dirty, medicine is instilled there, depending on the causative agent of the disease. The procedures should be carried out for as many days as the doctor recommends.
Antiseptic and antihistamine drugs, as well as insecticidal drops, are used against ear mites. When treating otitis, Otipak, Sofradex or Anandin Plus drops are used. For ear dermatitis, treatment is carried out with a 3-5% solution of boric or picric acid and an ointment such as “Hydrocartisone” or “Geokarton” is applied. After treatment for ear diseases is completed, the cat must be shown to the doctor, he will again do an analysis. He will look at how much the condition has improved and give a conclusion: the end of the procedures or the need to change the drug and continue treatment.
Often, with ear diseases, cats require a drug to relieve itching; tablets or drops can be used orally. Especially if otitis media has developed due to an allergy, then Zordex, Zyrtec, and Tyrosine are used in dosages for animals. Sometimes, when the itching cannot be removed immediately, cats are put on a special collar, attached to the neck with a strap.
To treat parasitic otitis media, you will also need drops on the withers against ticks. It is advisable to repeat the procedure after 28 days to consolidate the result. In this case, you will need to take care of the hygiene of the room in order to protect the cat from re-infection.
The place where the animal lives must be vacuumed, and things (beds, toys, bowls, etc.) must be washed or rinsed thoroughly. Other animals living in the same apartment should also be treated, because even if they do not have ear discharge, they will most likely still be infested with ear mites. Allergic otitis occurs with the main agents - these are bacteria and yeast fungi, malacesia. Drugs for their treatment: “Suralan”, “Mometamax” and the most modern drug “Posatex”.
Treatment of ear diseases
To make a diagnosis, it is necessary not only to see the picture of the patient’s clinic, but also to take into account various tissue tests.
The doctor will prescribe treatment depending on the sum of all indicators.
- These can be antimicrobial, antiviral, antiallergic drugs, antibiotics and homeopathic remedies.
- The treatment process can be adjusted, especially with regard to fungal infections and mites.
- For hematomas and neoplasms, the help of a surgeon will be required.
Self-medication can only complicate the process. It is necessary to remember not only about the complications, but also about the harm that can be caused to your little friend when using inappropriate medications.
Prevention
The Murkoshi team draws your attention to the need for preventive measures, only in this case you will save your kitten from ear diseases. The most important preventive action is pet hygiene. Teach your kitten from an early age to constant ear cleaning. The procedure must be carried out carefully so as not to injure the tail or cause him pain.
Read more about how to clean ears: How to clean a cat's ears
Clean your cat's ears delicately, speaking gently and stroking them. If everything is done correctly, there will be no complications or resistance to the procedure on the part of the pet. Also, a mandatory measure should be treatment against parasites - external and internal - 2 times a year.
Read more: How to treat a cat for parasites
If you spend time on cat hygiene, then ear diseases will bypass her. But if you still notice alarming symptoms (the cat intensively scratches its ears, does not allow them to be touched, discharge appears in the ears, etc.), do not hope that “maybe it will go away on its own,” but immediately contact a specialist. Only with a correct diagnosis and appropriate prescription is it possible for your pet to recover quickly!
The main symptoms of all ear diseases
Each disease has its own specific symptoms, most of which can be seen in the photo. However, there is a certain set of standard manifestations of ear diseases. If you notice any of the following, contact your veterinarian.
So, the following symptoms can signal that not everything is all right with your animal:
- bowing the head to one side;
- itching in the ears, the animal scratches its ears with its paw;
- apathy;
- discharge;
- pressing the ears to the head;
- heat;
- external manifestations in the form of tumors, bumps and wounds.
The health of your cat is in your hands. Pay attention to any manifestations! Don't delay visiting the veterinarian - this way you can avoid serious consequences!
How is the treatment carried out?
Drug treatment is prescribed only by a specialist, since self-medication can aggravate the situation.
Ear diseases in cats can only be cured by a veterinarian; self-medication of the pet is prohibited. Parasites are expelled by antiparasitic agents (BlochNet, Fipronil, Amitrosin). Inflammation is treated with antibiotics, which are prescribed individually. In case of cancer, it is recommended to have surgery to remove the tumor. If the cancer has completely engulfed the cat's ear, the shell is removed. Cropped ears are cured until the wounds heal.
What to do if you see these signs
There are many causes of ear diseases in cats:
- ear mite; - fungus; - pathogenic bacteria.
Therefore, at home, do not rush to diagnose and treat yourself. Contact your veterinarian for help. There you will be given the correct diagnosis and prescribed appropriate treatment.
Read more about the rules of communication with a veterinarian: 5 rules for effective interaction with a veterinarian
Normally, cats' ears are shiny and clean, uniform in color without visible discharge. Discharge from the ears is divided into three types according to color, these are:
- light yellow; - light yellow-brown; - brown, drier, similar to coffee grounds.
Therefore, the agents causing this discharge may be bacteria, fungi and parasites. How to detect and how to distinguish one disease from another?
When to contact a veterinarian
Cat owners need to be very careful and monitor the slightest changes in the behavior and health of the animal. The following signs should alert you:
- itching that causes your pet to scratch its ear;
- lethargy and weakness;
- increased body temperature;
- presence of a wound or other change in the ear;
- the appearance of any suspicious discharge from the ear.
You should contact the clinic even if even the smallest foreign body gets into your ear. Remaining in it, it can cause infection and a pronounced purulent abscess.
