How can I treat my cats ear infection?
Treatment for feline ear infections isn’t usually complicated. To start, your vet may need to clip the fur around the cat’s ear canal to help keep it clean and dry. If the infection has reached the middle ear but the eardrum is untouched, oral or injectable antibiotics may clear up the infection.
What are the symptoms of ear infection in cats?
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. A black or yellow discharge is commonly observed.
Is a cat ear infection an emergency?
An ear infection is an emergency when your pet is in pain, you cannot touch or look in your dog’s ear, the ear is red and swollen, and/or your dog has a head tilt. All ear infections should be examined and treated by a veterinarian.
What do vets prescribe for cat ear infections?
Antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, enrofloxacin, clindamycin, or cefpodoxime) will be prescribed 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 can I treat my cats ear infection naturally?
There aren’t any natural remedies that’ll cure ear infections, but there is one to prevent them: Regular ear cleaning at home. “I recommend cleaning your cat’s ears at least once a month,” Grant says. “You can get your cat used to it by making it a positive experience.
Can I put peroxide in my 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.
What is the best medicine for cat ear mites?
Miller notes, “and most—such as ivermectin—are highly effective. Even one old-time remedy—baby oil—can do the job. A few drops put into an affected ear several times a day for a month or so will usually smother the mites.” Subsequent treatment for mites as well as ongoing maintenance of a cat’s ears, says Dr.
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.
How can I help my cat with itchy ears?
If ear mites are the cause of your cat’s itchy ears, there are different ways to rid your cat of these annoying bugs. The fastest and most effective are some newer parasite-killing medications available from veterinarians, some of which can clear ear mite infestations with a single dose.
What color should cat ear wax be?
A normal inner ear and ear canal should be light pink in color. A small amount of light/medium brown ear wax is fine.
What is the flap on a cat’s ear for?
The pinna is shaped to capture sound waves and funnel them through the ear canal to the eardrum. In cats, the pinnae are mobile and can move independently of each other. The ear canal of cats is deeper and more tapered than in humans, creating a better funnel to carry sound to the eardrum.
How do you clean wax out of a cat’s ear?
Use gauze to clean, wipe, and dry the inside of your cat’s ears. You can pick up gauze squares at most human pharmacies. You can also use cotton balls, cotton makeup rounds, or even a tissue. Just don’t use cotton swabs to clean out your cat’s ears, as you could damage their eardrums.
What does healthy cat ear wax look like?
A healthy outer ear or pinna should have a layer of hair on the surface with no bald spots, and should be clean and light pink in colour. Any discharge, redness, or swelling indicates you should get your cat checked.