Ear Infection in Cats

Do cats often get ear infections?

Ear infections are a relatively uncommon health issue in cats but when they do strike the underlying cause can be serious.

A simple outer ear infection can quickly spread to the middle ear and onto your kitty's inner ear, which is why it is essential to seek treatment for your cat's ear infection as soon as symptoms arise. If left untreated ear infections in cats can result in hearing loss.

 There are 2 main types of ear infections:

• Outer ear infections in cats (typically less serious and easy to treat) often caused by ear mites.
• Inner ear infection in cats (less common but more serious) often resulting from an underlying condition leading to a bacterial infection.

What causes ear infections in cats?

Except in the case of ear mites, most ear infections in cats are usually a sign of an underlying health condition. If your cat has a weak immune system, diabetes or allergies they face an increased risk ear infections compared to cats with stronger immune systems.

Cat ear infections can develop when the lining of the ear canal becomes irritated, leading to inflammation. Inflammation within the ear can lead to excess wax production which in turn creates an environment where the naturally occurring bacteria and yeast grow out of control.

At that point further inflammation is likely to occur and itchiness begins, resulting in the most common symptoms of ear infections in cats: ear rubbing, scratching, clawing and repeated head shaking.

Some of the most common causes of outer ear and middle ear infections in cats include:

Our vets see far fewer outer ear infections in cats than in dogs, but when they do occur these infections can quickly spread to your cat's middle ear and inner ear. Ear mite infestation is the most common cause of outer ear infections in our feline friends.

What are the signs of ear infection in cats?

If your kitty is rubbing their ear or looking otherwise uncomfortable, your pet may have an ear infection. Other signs of ear infection in cats include:

If your cat's ears are healthy they should be pale pink in color and have no visible debris, or odor, and very little wax buildup. When a cat's ear becomes infected they are often red or swollen and may have an odor.

How will the vet diagnose my cat's ear infection?

Your vet will start by examining your cat’s ear canal, then taking a sample of ear debris to examine under a microscope to determine whether bacteria, ear mites, or a yeast infection in your cat's ear, is the cause of the problem.

Bringing your kitty in to see our vets at Sharon Lakes Animal Hospital for routine wellness exams provides your vet with an opportunity to monitor the health of your cat's ears on a regular basis.

Wellness exams mean that your vet may be able to detect early signs of health issues, including ear infections before they develop into more serious health concerns that can be more difficult and costly to treat.

Our animal hospital also has an in-house lab that allows us to perform any tests required and receive results quickly so that your kitty's treatment can begin as quickly as possible. 

How to treat ear infection in cats?

Treating cat ear infections typically begins with your vet clipping the fur around your cat’s ear canal in order to help keep the area clean and dry.

If the infection has reached the middle ear but the eardrum has not yet been infected, oral or injectable antibiotics may be used to help clear up the infection.

For ear mites, a bacterial ear infection in cats or yeast infection in cats, treatment with corticosteroids, antifungals, antibiotics or anti-parasitics in-ear drops may be prescribed by your vet.

Treatment at home for your cat's ear infection involves monitoring the condition of your cat's ears to check that the interior of the ear flap is clean and that the canal is clear. If your vet has prescribed ear drops, simply lift the ear flap, then squeeze the solution into the ear canal, gently massaging the base of the ear to help the medicine work its way deeper into the ear.

Early treatment is the key to preventing chronic ear infections that could lead to severe issues such as facial paralysis and hearing loss for your kitty.

What causes chronic ear infection in cats?

Chronic ear infection in cats can be caused by a number of issues including growths, allergies, or parasites. If you find that your feline friend has a long-lasting or recurring ear infection that’s making their ears itchy or painful, discuss this problem with your vet. They may be able to prescribe a medication to help reduce tissue swelling inside of your cat's ear canal.

Surgery may be required in some rare cases to correct ear issues and remove swollen tissue that has blocked or narrowed your kitty's ear canal.

Prevent Your Cat From Getting an Ear Infection

While there may be no way to prevent an ear infection you can take steps to catch the signs of an ear infection early so that treatment can begin before symptoms become more severe. Regularly check your cat's ears to ensure there’s no odor, residue, redness, swelling or other symptoms. Be sure to have any issues treated before they worsen, and ask your vet to show you how to correctly clean your cat’s ears.

Do not insert cleaning devices into your cat’s ear canal unless your vet has specifically told you to do so, and shown you how to clean your cat's ears safely.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.