The most common cause of an ear infection in a cat is ear mite infestation, and these infections are most often in outdoor cats and kittens. Indoor adult cats who develop ear infections frequently have been exposed to a kitten with ear mites who is brought into the home. The ear mites themselves are not an infection, but a serious enough infestation can cause a secondary infection with bacteria or yeast. This causes inflammation, pain, and a black or yellow discharge accompanied by an odor.
Treating and curing an ear infection is typically a simple prescription of ear drops but it is critical that your veterinarian diagnose the specific cause of your cat’s infection to prescribe the correct treatment. Getting a sample of the debris in the ear and checking it under a microscope is the best way for your vet to get an accurate diagnosis.
The next critical step is treatment. Your vet may clean your cat’s ears and administer a leave-in antibiotic that treats the infection over two to three weeks. A follow-up visit will ensure the infection is cleared. Sometimes, however, a more appropriate treatment is for antibiotic drops to be administered daily by the pet owner. This can be a challenge if your cat is not accustomed to being fussed with.
Tips for treating your cat’s ear infection
Being prepared and working quickly are key in getting the needed medication into your cat’s ear. Even cats that are otherwise laid back can become uncooperative when they are uncomfortable.
Do the following to ensure success:
- Have all the items you need at hand before beginning. You will have to clean your cat’s ear before administering drops, so have your ear wash, cotton balls, and gloves at hand, your medicine premeasured, and a treat ready to reward your kitty.
- Choose a quiet area and talk softly to keep your cat calm.
- If only one ear is infected or one ear is worse than the other, start with the ear that is not infected or is less inflamed. You cat’s ear with be sore, so handle it gently.
- When cleaning your cat’s ears and when applying medicine, massage gently at the base of the ear to work the ear wash and the medication in. Then let your cat shake and wipe out any debris with a cotton ball.
- If your cat is not improving, is fighting harder when you attempt to treat him, or you notice discharge, swelling, or odor from the ear, discontinue treatment and contact your vet.
A recheck following treatment for an ear infection is critical for your cat. Your veterinarian can advise you if additional treatment is needed and how often you may need to clean your cat’s ears to prevent future infections. For cats who develop recurring ear infections, your vet may look for an underlying cause, such as chronically swollen ear canals, an unusually shaped ear canal, or possibly an immune deficiency. In these cases, other treatments may be needed.
If you have questions about your cat’s ear health, contact the veterinarians at Lake Cable Animal Hospital today.