Your cat’s ears are very similar to yours. They are highly sensitive. Therefore, when there’s an infection in there, you’ll notice it almost immediately.
Before the visual signs start to show, your cat will let you know that something is not right by shaking their head more frequently, scratching their ears, or holding their head to one side a lot more frequently.
Cat ear infections are dangerous because they can lead to deafness. They may also signify underlying conditions. How do cats get ear infections? Penny Paws Animal Clinic, the leading vet clinic in DeSoto, TX, will discuss the details, including approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
Classifying Cat Ear Infections
Veterinarians classify cat ear infections based on the affected part of the ear. The three main classifications are:
- Otitis externa. It signifies an infection affecting the cat’s external ear canal.
- Otitis media. It signifies that the infection has reached the middle ear, affecting the space behind the cat’s eardrums.
- Otitis interna. It signifies inflammation of the cat’s inner ear. It’s the final stage that follows failure to treat otitis media.
The Various Causes of Cat Ear Infections
How do cats get ear infections? The cause of the infection often determines how vets can treat it and get your cat back to normal. Some of the most common causes of cat ear infections include:
Ear Mites
Ear mites, specifically Otodectes cynotis, are surface parasites that typically hide away in your cat’s ears, causing inflammation and irritation. In large enough numbers, they can cause significant damage to your cat’s ears.
Cat owners must be proactive against ear mites because they spread fast. It only takes one play date with a cat that has it to spread to your feline friend.
Skin Allergies
If your cat suffers an allergic reaction that triggers symptoms such as itching around the ears, the excessive scratching may cause lacerations that can become infected.
Injuries Around the Ear
Any scratches or wounds around the cat’s ears will likely leave room for bacteria growth. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check your cat for cuts and even minor abrasions around the ear when they return from forays outdoors. If you notice any deep wounds, reach out to your vet as soon as possible.
Clogs in the Ear
Cats are highly adventurous. In that spirit, they may inadvertently end up pushing foreign objects into their ears. Grass is the usual culprit here, but the foreign body could be anything. If you find your cat pawing their ears, inspect the ear canal.
If you spot anything in there, reach out to your vet immediately. Removing the object quickly reduces the risk of ear infections. Sometimes, you may find excessive hair in the ear canal. Regardless, you’ll need to visit the vet.
Accumulation of Wax
It’s extremely important to keep your cat’s ears clean. Allowing wax to accumulate unchecked in there creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the risk of an ear infection.
Underlying Health Conditions
A cat with diabetes mellitus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or Feline Leukemia Virus, polyps, or tumors in the ear is very likely to develop ear infections.
Environmental Pollution
Dust, smoke, and other pollutants in the environment can trigger ear infections in cats.
Common Symptoms of Ear Infection in Cats
The most common sign of ear infection in cats is regular ear pawing and the display of unusual behavior such as prolonged head tilting. Other signs you should watch for include:
- Disorientation
- Redness around the ear flap or in the canal
- Swelling around the ear flap or in the canal
- The strong odor emanating from a specific ear
- Loss of balance
- Hearing loss
- Dark brown or black discharge coming from the ear
- Wax buildup around or near the ear canal
Healthy cat ears have a pale pink look. You should also notice almost no debris around them. If you suspect any of the symptoms of an ear infection, book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Ear Infections in Cats
During your visit, the vet will carefully examine your cat’s ear canal with an otoscope to check if there’s anything unusual causing the ear infection. The otoscope will help them find any tumors or foreign objects in there.
They will also collect and test samples of any debris around your cat’s ears to determine any possible causes of infection. If necessary, the vet may recommend diagnostic testing. The goal is to map the perfect treatment plan to restore your cat to optimum health.
The treatment plan for cats with ear infections may involve all or some of the following:
- Removal of foreign objects and tumors
- Cleaning the ears
- Use of oral medication, injections, and ear drops
The duration and scope of the treatment will depend on the cause of the infection.
Dealing with Chronic Ear Infections in Cats
Does your cat have recurring ear infections? Discuss with your vet to find a lasting solution. Chronic ear infections in cats can cause permanent deafness or facial paralysis that will require extensive surgeries to fix. Cleaning the ears and waiting for the infection to pass isn’t a great idea.
You can prevent recurring infections not due to underlying conditions by adopting better cat care approaches.
Visit Penny Paws Animal Clinic for Lasting Ear Infection Treatment
Your cat’s ears are highly important to their overall health and well-being. Now you know the answer to “How do cats get ear infections?” you have to pay more attention to your cat to know when it starts exhibiting some of the signs we’ve discussed in this post.
You’ll also need to sharpen your pet’s grooming skills to increase your chances of spotting ear mites before they spread too far into your cat’s ear canal. When you see any signs of an infection, don’t delay your trip to the vet.
Our team here at Penny Paws Animal Clinic can diagnose and treat all feline ear infections. Visit the contact page to find a Texas clinic today.