cat shaking her head and pawing at ears more so than normal

mscatamaran · Mar 9, 2011

The morning before yesterday's, I noticed Norah shaking her head and itching her one ear more so than her normal amount. My first thought was ear mites because she had those when she first arrived at the APL, but she didn't do it again and her eyes were kinda runny so I decided on keeping an eye out on her but that it probably is allergies. So she's doing it again this morning and afternoon. She doesn't seem terribly lethargic, she is still running around and playing like her usual crazy self.

If it is ear mites, is it possible to over the counter this problem and if it is, how do I do that? I've never had to administer any sort of meds to any of my cats (I've only had Norah since Dec. and Odessa since Dec. of 2009).

stephanietx · Mar 9, 2011

Most likely it's allergies. Is the weather changing in your area?

Willowy · Mar 9, 2011

If you think it is earmites, ask your vet for some Revolution. Great stuff, much easier than trying to put drops in a cat's ears! You'll have to treat both cats; earmites are highly contagious.

mscatamaran · Mar 9, 2011

Originally Posted by stephanietx

Most likely it's allergies. Is the weather changing in your area?

yeah. it was a very brutal winter and now in the past week or so its been going from winter cold to spring rains back to winter snow. Winter isn't giving up this year. I have steam heat in my apartment which makes it hard for sleeping. I wake with a harsh throat and stuffy ears so it wouldn't surprise me that she was going through that too since she follows me wherever i go and sleeps where i sleep which is in the cold room.

by the way: her ears are kind of dirty but they've been like that since i adopted her and her shaky-ness is a new development. There is no detectable odor to her ears.

mscatamaran · Mar 9, 2011

Originally Posted by Willowy

If you think it is earmites, ask your vet for some Revolution. Great stuff, much easier than trying to put drops in a cat's ears! You'll have to treat both cats; earmites are highly contagious.

could i get Revolution without a doc consultation?

cazlee · Mar 9, 2011

Policies vary by vet with re: dispensing flea/tick/parasite combo drugs without a consult that same day.

My general experience has been: If your pet had a wellness check-up at that office within the past year, they will dispense without a consult.

catsallaround · Mar 9, 2011

If you adopted her from shelter call up to see if they can examine/treat.

My cat who came with earmites rubbed her ear raw and it would have been very pricey except I had a discount @ vet cause of situation...
check your private messages.

mscatamaran · Mar 9, 2011

Originally Posted by catsallaround

If you adopted her from shelter call up to see if they can examine/treat.

My cat who came with earmites rubbed her ear raw and it would have been very pricey except I had a discount @ vet cause of situation...
check your private messages.

okay thanks. will do

feralvr · Mar 9, 2011

Do you have a regular vet? Just call them and tell them you are coming in to pick up some Revolution to start up for the flea season. Then you won't have to go in for the consult if you are trying to save $$$. I am sure it is ear mites from what you are describing, itching, shaking and dirty ears and you said she had them before. Your other cat can get them as well. If you are not going to take Norah to the vet for this, then I would do the Revolution and then start cleaning up the ears with a few drops of mineral oil. Put the drops in the ears and rub very, very gently then use a cotton ball to get the loosened debris. I would do this two to three times a day and this is totally safe to use. The mineral oil will help clean the ears and will kill (drown...) the ear mites. I would do this for about a week. Hope this helps.... and good luck. If you don't see an improvement in a couple of weeks I would say take her to the vet then and they will have to look in her ears and look for mites. Don't wait too long to treat this, as the problem can become much worse with time and cause serious damage to the ear canal and inner ear. for Norah

mscatamaran · Mar 9, 2011

Originally Posted by Feralvr

Do you have a regular vet? Just call them and tell them you are coming in to pick up some Revolution to start up for the flea season. Then you won't have to go in for the consult if you are trying to save $$$. I am sure it is ear mites from what you are describing, itching, shaking and dirty ears and you said she had them before. Your other cat can get them as well. If you are not going to take Norah to the vet for this, then I would do the Revolution and then start cleaning up the ears with a few drops of mineral oil. Put the drops in the ears and rub very, very gently then use a cotton ball to get the loosened debris. I would do this two to three times a day and this is totally safe to use. The mineral oil will help clean the ears and will kill (drown...) the ear mites. I would do this for about a week. Hope this helps.... and good luck. If you don't see an improvement in a couple of weeks I would say take her to the vet then and they will have to look in her ears and look for mites. Don't wait too long to treat this, as the problem can become much worse with time and cause serious damage to the ear canal and inner ear. for Norah

yeah i do, ill give her office a call tomorrow. Not to sound stupid but where can i get mineral oil?

stephanietx · Mar 9, 2011

Mineral oil can be found in the drug/pharmacy section of WalMart. It's usually on the top shelf.

mscatamaran · Mar 10, 2011

thanks stephanie

cat shaking her head and pawing at ears more so than normal

mscatamaran

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Willowy

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