Rescue Kitty with Yeasty Ears

vipred1

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Hello Everyone!  Long story short, I went to the shelter to get a playmate for my kitty - and somehow ended up with a scaredy cat named, "Scruffy".  I changed his name to "Mike" so he would feel tougher.

 After spending six weeks alternating between the bathroom and behind the dryer, he now has a new "safe spot" in my home office.

My vet confirmed (who knew they still made house calls for scaredy cats?) he has a yeast infection in his ears.    

I had been cleaning them with "Oti-Sooth" ear cleaning solution and Tresaderm drops for 7 days.  

He started feeling better and actually moved around a little during the day.  

One week without treatment and he is at it again.  

I did not notice him scratching as much for a couple days.  Yesterday he started going at it with a vengeance again.  

This morning, the white part of his paws have a brownish tint from all the ear rubbing.

They (the inner ears) actually look better, but he is one pi$$ed of kitty.  

He is currently giving me the stink eye (he also has a snaggle tooth - so I am getting the stink eye AND the Elvis sneer).  

*I have some Baytril & EnteDerm the vet said I can use.  I was just hoping to do something without more meds.

*Suggestions and empathy are welcomed!

Thanks!

Stephanie

ps - Still looking for playmate for Ding Dong kitty (yea, that's her name).  I don't want to bring another cat into the mix until I get Mike fixed up.
 

txcatmom

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This sounds a lot like what we went through recently with our foster cat who we hope to adopt.  Only the vet said to do the cleaning and drops for 2 weeks (twice a day) and, knock on wood, so far the problem hasn't returned.  Could you ask the vet if maybe you doing the treatment again for longer would help?

I can empathize with how much they hate the ear cleaning and drops.  We "burritoed" Sharon by wrapping her in a towel and that helped.  But if I wasn't fast enough covering her ear opening after applying the cleaning solution she would shake her head and I would have eyes, mouth, nose full of ear cleaning solution.  Ironically one day when she shook her head I got an ear full of the solution. 
 
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ldg

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Did the vet do a culture? Because proper treatment for the specific strain can make a difference. Flowerbelle had a horrible problem when she was first rescued. We tried several things at one vet's suggestion. We took her for a second vet opinion (for something else), but of course we mentioned the ear problem. They cultured it, prescribed something else, and that was all it took. No washing required, just drops and it cleared up.

:vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 

ldg

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...and for any yeast overgrowth problem, a probiotic give daily sprinkled on food can help longer term. A human acidophilus + Bifidus supplement is best, IMO. We use Natural Factors Double Strength (10 billion CFU) acidophilus+bifidus. If your kitten is not a year old yet, the regular strength (5 billion CFU) is probably best.
 

ldg

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:doh3: You may want to consider trying 500ppm colloidal silver: One or two drops of colloidal silver in the ears of a cat or dog with an ear infection is a safe, fast and effective way to safely treat them. There's no need for a trip to the veterinarian or expensive pharmaceuticals. A few drops of colloidal silver can do the job in a day or two.

One or two drops of colloidal silver in the ears of a cat or dog with an ear infection is a safe, fast and effective way to safely treat them. There's no need for a trip to the veterinarian or expensive pharmaceuticals. A few drops of colloidal silver can do the job in a day or two.
This is what I would try now if something like that cropped up.

This is the colloidal silver we use:
 
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vipred1

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thank you for the replies!

Yes, the vet did a culture and said to start with the Tresaderm as the Baytril was stronger.

It was just weird - when I first started treatment, it was the usual darker brown stuff in the inner ear.  Now it is lighter brown/tan and goes all the way to the tips of his ears.  And, it is extra itchy!

The shelter said he is 5yrs old - but he acts like he is 105yrs old.  He is a scaredy cat, but not a runner.  Instead of running, he freezes and, braces himself - like he is expecting me to hit him.  Poor little (fat) guy.  I wish I could find the people that made him this way.....
 

ldg

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Oh poor baby! :hugs: to you for rescuing this boy. :rub: Gosh, it's so heartbreaking. :(

And I accidentally posted the relevant part twice, instead of the link and the quote. This is the link for the colloidal silver reference: http://angelakaelin.hubpages.com/hu...enting-and-Treating-Diseases-in-Cats-and-Dogs

I find the notion of treating a yeast infection with antibiotics odd. :dk: (Of course, that's probably what we used, but then I just did as the vets suggested. :lol3: ).

I do hope this clears it up! If not, give the colloidal silver a try. Vibes for success! :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:

...and I'm sure with your love and care, your "baby" boy will learn he doesn't ever need to freeze up again. :heart2:
 

stephanietx

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I had a kitty who had recurring yeast infections in her ears.  My vet finally used this goopy stuff (combination of 3 meds, IIRC) that didn't require me to do anything.  It was a thick gel he put in her ear.  Over a two week period, it did its thing and treated the infection as well as worked it's way out of her ear.  We discovered that she had airborne allergens.  The vet recommended I put her on a daily antihistamine and do yearly ear cleanings under anesthesia so they could really get out all the gunk without her being in too much pain/discomfort and so that she'd not try to scratch or bite them.  She never had another ear infection. 
 
 
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