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how can i treat my cats ear infection

by Dr. Trace Dickens Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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To begin, 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 has not yet been infected, oral or injectable antibiotics can often help to clear up the infection.Feb 28, 2021

Medicinenet.com

1. Over the counter pain relievers...

2. warm (not hot) oil (olive, vegetable) dripped gently into the ear canal and held in place by a cotton ball may help ease ear pain...

3. A warm or cold compress...

4. Tea tree oil eardrops...

5. Sleeping with the painful side up may be of help in the management of ear pain...

Learn More...

Webmd.com

1. A cool or warm compress...soak a washcloth in either cool or warm water, wring it out, and then put it over the ear that's bothering you...

2. Try a pain reliever...acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can often relieve the pain of an earache...

3. Olive oil drops...

4. Chew gum...

5. Sleep upright...

Learn More...

Top10homeremedies.com

1. Garlic...has antimicrobial properties...

2. Apple cider vinegar...get rid of the fungus...

3. Olive oil...the oil will cause the wax to soften...

4. Salt...

5. Basil...

6. Warm Water Bottle...

7. Onion...

8. Tea Tree Oil...

Learn More...

How to check your cat for ear infections?

Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Internal Ear Problems Download Article

  1. Check for ear canal mite infections. An ear mite infection can occur in the ear canal, which can be painful for your cat and cause problems ...
  2. Look for bacterial infections. Ears can develop bacterial infections, often in conjunction with other ear problems.
  3. Monitor for nodules on the ear. ...
  4. Watch for signs of inner and middle ear problems. ...

Can you catch an eye infection through your cat?

Cats can spread Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection, to humans. The infection is usually self-limited. It may feel like the flu and cause swollen glands. In some people, it can cause long-term blurry vision and eye pain.

What are symptoms of inner ear infection in cats?

  • Pain in the ear area; the cat will be shaking his head and touching his ears
  • Foul odor coming from the ears
  • Tilting of the head, especially on the side that is affected by infection (otitis may affect both ears, but most commonly, the infection is present only in 1 ear)
  • Swelling of the ear canal; the ear opening may look narrower

More items...

How to treat cat eye infection at home?

How to Treat Cat Eye Infection at Home

  • Cat Eye Infection. Humans are no strangers to the regular eye infection or the occasional sore eyes, but when it comes to cats, kittens are usually the ones who contract ...
  • Symptoms of Conjunctivitis. There are many tell-tale signs that cat owners can look out for in order to determine whether a cat’s eyes are infected.
  • Risks of Conjunctivitis. ...

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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 a 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.

What medicine do you give a cat for an ear infection?

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.

Can you put hydrogen peroxide in a cat's 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 does an ear infection in a cat look like?

Signs of Ear infection in Cats Head tilting. Ear discharge resembling coffee grounds. Hearing loss. Swelling or redness in the ear canal.

How did my cat get an ear infection?

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.

Can you put antibiotic ointment in a cats ear?

In many cases, antibiotic medication for an ear infection can be applied (usually as an ointment or drops) directly into your pet's ear. Sometimes, oral antibiotics or antifungal medication (for yeast) may also be recommended.

Can I put olive oil in my cat's ear?

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.

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.

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

In many cases, the first sign of an ear infection is scratching at the ears. Some cats may also shake their head or hold their ear differently than...

Can an ear infection kill a cat?

While ear infections are not typically fatal in cats, they can cause permanent damage. If left untreated, ear infections can cause hearing loss. In...

How long does an ear infection last in cats?

Most external ear infections in cats will resolve with approximately two weeks of treatment. Some cases may require long-term treatment, especially...

What can I do if my cat has an ear infection?

If you suspect that your cat might have an ear infection, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can determine the cause...

How to treat a cat's ear infection?

Gently massage the base of the ear to help the medicine work its way into the ear canal. If your cat has chronic ear infections, the vet may prescribe a medication to help reduce the swelling of tissue in the ear canal. Sometimes, surgery is needed to remove swollen tissue that has narrowed or closed the ear canal.

What to do if a cat has an infection in the middle ear?

If the eardrum is fine but infection has reached the middle ear, the vet may prescribe oral or injectable antibiotics. To begin treatment, your vet might clip the fur around the cat’s ear canal to help the cleaning and drying of the ear canal.

What to do if my cat has ear mites?

If your vet determines that your cat has ear mites or a yeast or bacterial infection, they’ll treat it with anti-parasitics, antifungals, or antibiotics, as appropriate. These all come in ointment or eardrop form. If the eardrum is fine but infection has reached the middle ear, the vet may prescribe oral or injectable antibiotics.

How to tell if a cat has a swollen ear?

A cat will show his discomfort by scratching or pawing at their ear or shaking or tilting their head in the direction of the painful ear. Other symptoms to look for include: 1 Black or yellowish discharge 2 Redness or swelling of the ear flap or ear canal 3 Waxy buildup on or near the ear canal 4 Discharge from the ear that resembles coffee grounds (a symptom of ear mites) 5 Strong odor 6 Hearing loss 7 Loss of balance or disorientation

What is the best way to diagnose ear mites?

Diagnosing the condition starts with looking in the ear canal with an instrument called an otoscope. Then a sample of the ear debris is looked at under the microscope to determine if there is yeast, bacteria, or ear mites.

What causes wax buildup in the ear?

An overgrowth of yeast or bacteria, or often, both. Wax buildup in the ear canal. Thick hair in the ear canal. Allergies such as food or pollen. Autoimmune diseases. Tumors/polyps within the ear canal. Ruptured eardrum. Improper ear cleaning. Foreign bodies such as bristle from grass.

What is the color of a cat's ear?

Healthy ears are pale pink and have no visible debris or odor and minimal or no ear wax. By routinely checking, you can find a potential ear infection early and have it treated before it worsens. It is best for the veterinarian to show you how to clean your cat's ear or to do it themselves.

Why does my cat have ear infections?

Most commonly, they're caused by allergies, ectoparasites, a foreign body lodged in the ear, or a buildup of wax or fur. Polyps and bacterial infections also are common culprits.

Why does my cat have ear problems?

Because ear problems in cats can be due to more systemic causes, if your cat has not responded to traditional therapies or a more widespread disease is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend further testing. This testing may include: Blood testing can detect conditions such as feline leukemia and feline FIV.

What causes a cat's ear to turn black?

Ear mites are responsible for a majority of the ear infections seen in cats. In fact, ear mites will be one of the first things your veterinarian checks for if your cat has an ear infection. Ear mites cause a characteristic dark brown to black colored discharge in the ears that looks a bit like coffee grounds.

Why do cats' ears smell?

A change in the color or smell of its ears may indicate that your cat has an infection brewing. Keeping your cat's ears clean is key, as well.

What is the purpose of a cat's ear cytology?

Ear cytology involves swabbing the inside of your cat's ear and then using a microscope to looking for abnormal cells, bacteria, or yeast. 3  The results of this test will help your veterinarian determine which antibiotics or other medications are best used in your cat's ears.

Why does my cat tilt his head?

Your cat may tilt its head to one side or another as a result of the ear problem. Ear infections also can cause disorientation and irritability in cats. If your cat is behaving strangely, including hiding for extended periods of time, this is usually a sign that something is wrong.

What is the procedure to check a cat's ears?

In addition to an overall physical, your veterinarian will perform an examination of your cat's ears with an otoscope. An otoscope allows your veterinarian to examine the inside of the ear canal for signs such as redness and inflammation, discharge, masses and polyps, foreign bodies, and other abnormalities.

How to treat a cat's ear infection?

Give any prescribed medications as directed and return for scheduled rechecks, in order to ensure that the infection is eliminated and does not become a chronic problem.

Why does my cat have a ear infection?

Ear infections in cats can have many different causes. These causes include parasites, bacteria, yeast, or allergies. It’s important for your vet to determine the cause of your cat’s ear infection, in order to prescribe effective treatment.

Keep It Clean With Saline Solution

This is one of the basic things you can do to help treat an ear infection in your cat. If your cat’s ears are infected with bacteria, keeping them clean will cut down on or eliminate the bacteria causing the problem. The best way to keep them clean is by flushing out their ears with a sterile saline solution once a day.

Treat It With Antibiotics

If your cat’s ears are infected with bacteria, you should treat that with antibiotics. You can get a prescription for specific antibiotics from your vet, but buying an over-the-counter one from the pet store is much easier and can be just as effective. Squirt a few drops into the ear once a day until all signs of infection are gone.

Treat It With Antifungals

If the infection in your cat’s ears is due to a fungus and not bacteria, then you will want to use antifungals. The best way to treat this fungal ear infection is by using a topical solution such as miconazole or clotrimazole, which you can buy over-the-counter at your local pet store.

Treat It With Antihistamines

If your cat’s ear infection is due to allergies, you can treat it with antihistamines. Make sure that when you are treating your cat with antihistamines, you are using them for the right kind of ear infection. For an ear infection in cats due to allergies, you can use a product that contains chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine.

Treat It With Warm Compresses

If you notice that your cat’s ear is bothering them even when there is no clear infection present, then you can use a warm compress to help soothe their pain and discomfort. Dip a cloth in water that is slightly warmer than room temperature and place it over your cat’s ear for five minutes at a time.

Treat It With Hydrocortisone Cream

Hydrocortisone cream is a standard over-the-counter treatment for many types of skin conditions, and you can use it to treat your cat’s ear infection as well. If your cat has an ear infection that is irritated and red, then you can apply a small amount of hydrocortisone cream to their ear twice a day until their ears are back to normal.

Treat It With Natural Remedies

There are many natural remedies that you can use to treat your cat’s ear infection. The best way to treat an ear infection in cats caused by an allergy is by using a mixture of half of a cup of warm water, one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons hydrogen peroxide, and one teaspoon boric acid.

What is an Ear Infection?

Just like us, felines can be plagued with an ear infection. This is never fun, and can mess with your pet’s ability to hear. Certain infections can be painful and also cause a loss of balance because the ear is crucial to the body’s ability to navigate.

Causes of Ear Infection in Cats

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Symptoms of Ear Infection in Cats

When felines have an ear infection, it won’t be subtle. The signs are usually easy to spot. Your cat will paw and scratch at its ears, and may even shake the head or tilt in discomfort. Please remember that ear infections are typically a secondary condition.

Prevention of Cat Ear Infection

Preventing your cat from getting an ear infection is difficult. Because there are so many causes, trying to guard against all of them is nearly impossible. However, the cat ear mite is the most common cause and there are effective methods to prevent infestation.

Home Remedies for Ear Infection in Cats

Owners must be careful when treating their cat for ear infections. Remember never to insert anything harmful into the ear; you may puncture an eardrum. Many times, an infestation of ear mites can cause other issues within the ear. So even after the mites are gone, and infection may persist.

What causes ear infections in cats?

An infection in your cat’s ear can be caused by germs (bacteria and yeasts) growing inside. There is usually an underlying reason for an infection to develop. Common causes of ear infections include:

How are ear infections in cats diagnosed?

Your veterinary surgeon will examine your cat’s outer ear for signs of injury, infection, or growths.

How to treat ear infections in cats

Your cat’s ears will need to be kept clean, using a veterinary strength ear cleaner to remove any build-up of wax/discharge and to prevent more bacteria and yeasts from growing.

How to prevent ear infections in cats

To help prevent your cat from getting ear infections, regular use of parasite control is recommended. Make sure you’re using one that protects against fleas and ear mites. Ask the team at your Animal Trust surgery if you’re unsure which cat ear infection products are best.

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Other animals

Classification

Diagnosis

  • Regardless of the cause of the ear infection, the signs of an ear problem usually look similar. If you notice these issues, it's time to visit the vet: Ear mites cause a characteristic dark brown to black colored discharge in the ears that looks a bit like coffee grounds. The presence of this discharge is often the first indication that your cat has ear mites. Your veterinarian may also exa…
See more on thesprucepets.com

Causes

  • There are a lot of things that may cause ear infections in cats. Most commonly, they're caused by allergies, adverse reaction to medication, parasites, a foreign body lodged in the ear, or a buildup of wax or fur.
See more on thesprucepets.com

Prevention

  • While it's not really possible to prevent your cat from ever getting an ear infection, if you inspect its ears regularly you may be able to treat an infection before it becomes severe.
See more on thesprucepets.com

Symptoms

  • Healthy cat ears are pink, free of wax and other debris and don't have any foul odor. A change in the color or smell of its ears may indicate that your cat has an infection coming on.
See more on thesprucepets.com

Treatment

  • Since there are many different causes for feline ear infections, there's no one treatment that will work for every cat. In some instances antibiotics may be warranted, in others, simply cleaning and flushing the ear canal may be sufficient.
See more on thesprucepets.com

Overview

  • Ear cytology involves swabbing the inside of your cat's ear and then using a microscope to looking for abnormal cells, bacteria, or yeast in your cat's ears. The results of this test will help your veterinarian determine which antibiotics, anti-fungal, or other medications are best used in your cat's ears.
See more on thesprucepets.com

1.Cat Ear Infections: 8 Steps for Treating Them at Home

Url:https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/ears/8-steps-treating-cat-ear-infections

13 hours ago Gently massage the base of the ear to help the medicine work its way into the ear canal. If your cat has chronic ear infections, the vet may prescribe a medication to help reduce the swelling of...

2.Ear Infections in Cats: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Url:https://pets.webmd.com/cats/ear-infections-in-cats-causes-treatment-and-prevention

13 hours ago  · There are many natural remedies that you can use to treat your cat’s ear infection. The best way to treat an ear infection in cats caused by an allergy is by using a mixture of half of a cup of warm water, one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons hydrogen peroxide, and one teaspoon boric acid. After mixing the ingredients, put them in your cat’s ears using a …

3.Ear Infections in Cats - The Spruce Pets

Url:https://www.thesprucepets.com/ear-infections-in-cats-3384627

9 hours ago  · Home Remedies For Cat Ear Infections Ear Miticides. You can easily find over-the-counter miticides in local pet stores. Miticides are the most popular home... Olive Oil. Olive oil is said to be very effective at cleaning cat ears from mites …

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Url:https://allaboutcats.com/cat-ear-infection

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Url:https://pethealth4you.com/how-to-treat-ear-infections-in-cats/

8 hours ago How to treat ear infections in cats. Your cat’s ears will need to be kept clean, using a veterinary strength ear cleaner to remove any build-up of wax/discharge and to prevent more bacteria and yeasts from growing. Where needed, topical ear drops may be prescribed. These contain drugs that treat bacteria, yeasts, and inflammation.

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