While it is perfectly normal for cats to occasionally scratch their ears to relieve itching or irritation, when they do it excessively they may have some health problems. If you notice an infection or trauma on his ears, regardless of whether it is due to an illness or because he continues to scratch, you must take him to the vet for treatment. The doctor is able to examine the health of your ears, make a diagnosis and offer you various treatments; with a little help from the doctor, the cat can get rid of the irritation and the excessive itching should disappear quickly.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Getting Veterinary Care
Step 1. Take your cat to the vet
If he continues to scratch his ears excessively, if you notice signs of infection, or if the itching has caused the animal to injure himself, he needs medical attention. Make an appointment with the vet and take the cat to his clinic; inform him of the various symptoms and let him examine him.
- After the visit, discuss the diagnosis with the doctor; itching could be caused by various factors, such as ear mites, ear infections and polyps or growths.
- In severe cases, the doctor may consider sedating the cat to keep it calm during the visit.
Step 2. Have your cat's ears cleaned
Your vet may advise you to do a thorough cleaning at their doctor's office or at home. If you opt for the latter option, your doctor should give you very clear instructions on how to proceed and may also offer you a suitable product or recommend a commercial one.
- Use a specific cleaner specifically designed to clean cat ears. Proceed with great caution, as cleaning too vigorously or vigorously could damage the eardrum or ear canal. never insert cotton swabs or other similar tools into your feline friend's ears.
- Do not clean their ears before talking to your vet, as they may need a discharge sample to determine the cause of your cat's itch.
- In some cases, a thorough cleaning removes all the dirt and debris responsible for the irritation and this may be all that is needed to combat the discomfort.
Step 3. Let the vet perform the treatments
If she found polyps or other growths in the cat's ears during the physical exam, she will likely want to remove them. For this type of surgery it is necessary to use anesthesia and you will have to take care of the pre and postoperative care.
In other circumstances, the doctor may perform the removal of foreign objects that have become lodged in the ears, suture wounds, or treat other injuries
Step 4. Put the drops in your ears
If you have been recommended to apply medicated drops to the pet's ear canals, you will need to be very careful. Hold the cat on your lap and gently fold one ear back with one hand; then use the other to quickly instill the number of drops prescribed by the vet. Once inserted, fold your ear all the way forward to close the opening and hold the medication.
When the liquid is in the ear canal, you have to be very quick to close the ear and make sure it stays inside; if the cat struggles, it can shake its head and expel the medicine from the ear
Step 5. Follow your vet's other directions for caring for the cat
In addition to the drops, he can prescribe other medications and offer you advice on caring for your cat during his convalescence; follow his recommendations so that the animal can heal faster.
- In many cases, it may be necessary to use an Elizabethan collar to prevent the animal from scratching and causing further injury.
- If the infection is particularly severe or is spreading beyond the ears, the vet may prescribe oral antibiotics in combination with the ear drops.
Part 2 of 2: Recognizing the Signs of an Ear Disease
Step 1. Check for excessive scratching
Cats generally tend to scratch their ears when they have some mild irritation or itching; they can also rub them to clean them or lick their paws and then pass them over their ears. However, there is a difference between a normal itch and an excessive one. If you find that he is constantly uncomfortable, you need to examine his ears to see if there is any other potential problem.
When they continue to be bothered by the itchiness and notice damage to the skin around them, it could be a problem that requires veterinary care
Step 2. Examine his ears
If you notice that he spends his time scratching them, you need to inspect them. Keep the cat on your lap or lower yourself to its level anyway; while you caress it and keep it quiet you have to carefully observe the outside of the pavilions, then fold them gently backwards and inspect the inside as well.
- Check for redness, scabs, or flaky skin inside or outside the pinna.
- The cat's ears are usually covered with fur on the outside, but not on the inside; you should notice a large area of pink and healthy skin.
Step 3. Look for other symptoms of disease
When inspecting the ears, you should pay attention to signs of possible pathologies. In addition to scratching, if your cat has an infection or some other disorder, you should be able to recognize the signs, including:
- Secretions;
- Sensitivity to touch;
- Bad smell;
- Keep shaking your head;
- Rub your ears on the floor or other surfaces.
Step 4. Define the type of care they need
If some earwax or dirt has built up, but your cat looks healthy in general, you can simply go for a cleaning. once done thoroughly, you just have to keep an eye on it to see if the itching persists. However, if he has injured himself by scratching and if you notice any other obvious signs of some type of illness, you should have him examined by your vet.
