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Is your cat shaking their head? Is there debris in their ear? Is one or both of their ears red and smelly? Your cat might have an ear infection. Here's everything you need to know about the condition.
Cat Ear Infections: Where Do They Happen?
While humans usually develop infections in the middle or inner ear, outer ear infections are more common in cats. This type of infection affects the pinna — the external part of the ear — and the part of the ear canal outside of the eardrum. In some cases, outer ear infections can cause a perforation of the eardrum and lead to problems in the inner and middle parts of the ear.
Veterinarians classify a cat ear infection by the type of infection that causes it. Cat ears can be infested with yeast, bacteria, ear mites or a combination of all three.
Cat Ear Infection Causes
Ear mites are common mites that live on the surface of pets' ears, including those of cats, dogs and ferrets, says the Companion Animal Parasite Council. Ear mites are very contagious and spread through direct contact. Fortunately, people can't contract ear mites. Because ear mites are so contagious, they're a bigger problem when multiple cats live together in tight quarters, like in a shelter.
While ear mites are generally the main culprit of a kitten ear infection, yeast and bacterial infections are usually seen in older cats. Yeast and bacterial infections in kittens tend to only be secondary to an ear mite infestation.
Ear infections due to yeast or bacteria can develop secondary to an ear mite infestation, or can develop due to allergies. It's normal for small amounts of yeast and bacteria to live in the ear canal, but if something puts the ear out of balance, like ear mites, polyps or allergies, then a secondary bacterial or fungal infection can occur.
Signs of a Cat Ear Infection
Cats normally keep their ears very clean. A normal, healthy cat ear is pink or pigmented, has very little debris and doesn't have an odor. An infected ear looks very different. If your cat is suffering from an ear infection, you may notice any or all of the following:
- Excessive scratching at the ears or shaking of the head
- Lowered ears when they're usually upright
- Ear redness or scratches on the ear
- Ear discharge that's black, dark brown, white, yellow or green
- Odor from the ear
- Head shyness or irritability when you go to pet the ears
Diagnosing a Cat Ear Infection
Your vet will use a combination of physical exam findings and lab exams to determine whether your cat has an ear infection. They'll likely look inside your cat's ear with an otoscope and use a cotton swab to take a sample from your cat's ear. They'll then recommend treatment based on what they find.
Ear Infection Treatments
Treatment of an ear infection depends on the specific type of infection your cat has. Unless the eardrum is perforated, a thorough cleaning is usually recommended. This serves to remove debris, which can impede a medicine's efficacy, and removes live ear mites and mite eggs. If your cat isn't cooperative, your vet may recommend sedating your cat, so they can get the ear canal squeaky clean. You may be sent home with a cleaner to clean your cat's ears at home. If you are, be sure to ask the veterinary staff to demonstrate how to clean your pet's ears yourself.
If your cat has ear mites, your vet may be able to put a single dose of medicine in your cat's ears that will clear up the infestation. If your cat has a yeast or bacterial infection, your vet will either prescribe a single dose of medicine or will send you home with medicine. Always give your cat all medication as prescribed. Don't stop treating their ear when it starts to clear up. If you don't finish the medicine completely, the infection could return. Your veterinarian will likely request a follow-up visit to ensure the infection has completely cleared up.
A cat ear infection should be treated as a serious medical condition. Never leave one untreated. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent hearing loss and balance problems. Untreated ear mites spread fast and can infect many other animals. Furthermore, ear infections are painful and can make your cat miserable.
How to Prevent a Cat Ear Infection
To help prevent your cat from getting an ear infection, keep them away from stray cats, who are more likely to have ear mites. If your cat has any underlying food or environmental allergies, work with your veterinarian to address and treat those early to prevent yeast or bacterial infections.
Dr. Sarah Wooten
A 2002 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sarah Wooten is a well-known international speaker in the veterinary and animal health care spaces. She has 10 years experience in public speaking and media work, and writes for a large number of online and print animal health publications, such as chewy.com, petMD, Great Pet Care, Vetstreet, Hill's Education Blog, and DVM360 print and online publications, Healthy Pet Magazine, and the Bark. Dr. Wooten has spoken in the veterinary education space for 5 years, and speaks on leadership, client communication, and personal development. Dr. Wooten is also a certified veterinary journalist, a member of the AVMA, and has 16 years experience in small animal veterinary practice. In addition to being a speaker, author, veterinarian, and co-creator of the wildly popular card game 'Vets Against Insanity', she co-owns Elevated Eateries Restaurant group in Greeley with her husband of 21 years, and together they are raising 3 slightly feral mini-humans. When it is time to play, she can be found skiing in Colorado, diving with sharks in the Caribbean, or training kenpo karate in her local dojo. Go big...or go home.