Treatment for itchy ears

A few days after bringing home our two kittens, we took them to a vet to see about having them treated for ear mites since they were continually scratching their ears. The vet cleaned them out and applied a treatment for infections, and told us to bring them back if they continued to scratch. It's now been three weeks and they are still scratching, so we brought them back today. The vet cleaned out their ears again with something that he said was for mites, and sold us a little bottle of Otiflex C, which is supposed to be an antibiotic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. They also gave us some Enroxin tablets, which turn out to be another antibiotic. We were told to bring them back in two weeks for a check up, and that they couldn't give them Revolution because of the flea treatment we gave them three weeks ago. Is this a normal way to treat itchy ears?

Did they see any evidence of mites?  I had one cat adopted with nasty ears and they tested the gunk in her ears (and gave Revolution even though they didn't see current evidence of mites...she had tapeworm so the Revolution also served the purpose of zapping any fleas.)  The testing of the gunk helped them know what type of infection they were dealing with (yeast? fungal? bacterial?)  We then had to do cleaning and drops twice a day for two weeks.  Lots of trouble...but her ears have been perfect ever since.

Anyways, my whole point is that treating an ear infection is hard work.  Maybe there is a one-time treatment I am unaware of, but that sounded iffy that the vet did a one time thing and thought that could clear it up.  It sounds more hopeful that he gave you something to apply regularly on your second visit.  Lucy's were only treated topically, no antibiotics.  Although, she did get an antibiotic for a URI, so I guess I wouldn't know if the vet had that in mind for the ears as well.  She didn't mention that it was for that purpose. 

Thanks so much for the feedback! I didn't know so many things could cause itchy ears, and I was afraid that the antibiotics were superfluous. But I'm glad to know that it sounds like our vet is considering all the possibilities. We'll follow the vet's instructions and make sure they get to the follow-up appointment. Thanks again!

Today was the follow-up appointment, and I'm not quite sure what to think. The cats are still scratching their ears and also now their faces, nowhere else, though it seems they don't do it as frequently. When the vet saw them, first he said we needed to bathe them with flea shampoo and that we could leave them with him and he'd do it (they offer pet grooming services). I had to ask him a couple of times why he thought that might help (he was vague at first, then finally said that "for fleas" was the reason), but since I'm pretty convinced that they don't have fleas and also don't believe that flea shampoos are of much help, I told him I didn't think that was necessary and that if they need something "for fleas" I'd rather apply Revolution. I had to tell him that twice and explain why I think that way before he let it go.

He then examined and cleaned their ears, which were a little dirty and needed it; but at the same time he told me they needed more antibiotics. He didn't seem to remember that he'd sold me some two weeks ago, so I told him they'd already taken the course he prescribed. He asked for how many days (three, just like he had told me to); his tone of voice gave me the impression he was trying to find a way to say I hadn't done it right and so it needed to be repeated. But since I had followed instructions to the letter, all he said was that since the first treatment didn't work it needed to be continued. Now, I'm sure that perhaps that might be true in some cases, but since antibiotics are greatly over-prescribed in my area I'm reluctant to just go along with every doctor's recommendation to take them--especially when they prescribe them without any testing whatsoever.

When he saw I wouldn't give them antibiotics for antibiotics' sake, he offered me some pills that would alleviate the itchiness. But, the way I see it, that would only cover the symptom and not solve anything, so I asked him if the pills do anything besides help with the itching. Turns out, they are also antibiotics! Finally I told him that I wouldn't give the cats another course but that I would continue to use the drops he sold me since they contain an antibiotic as well as fungicide, and we left it at that.

Then we talked a little about how the scratching could be caused by yeast or fungus; he said that, for example, if the cats have a little scratch in their ears they can be susceptible to yeast, which can then leave them prone to a fungal infection. Since I had already been expecting to be given a treatment for fungus and/or yeast (thanks, txcatmom!), I was fine with buying the pills he recommended to see if they'll help; and I'm supposed to bring them back again in a week. But overall, I was left with the impression that this vet is more interested in $$$ than in getting to the root of my cats' problem.

I'm washing their bedding today to try to keep down any potential allergens, and they are fed a mostly-raw diet (we occasionally give them canned Friskies when they won't eat the raw, but we haven't noticed a correlation between that and their scratching; besides, they were scratching before we ever bought the canned food). Since I'm totally new to all of this, I was wondering what would be the perspective of someone more experienced. Should I have just went along with the vet's ideas? Is there something more I can do to relieve their itchiness? Is there something else that I could ask the vet about that might help?

I agree that you want to get at the cause of the itchiness rather than just treating it.  It stood out to me that you said their ears were a bit dirty and needed cleaning.  In my experience, healthy cat ears don't need cleaning.  So, I'm guessing something is still going on.  Did the vet check for ear mites?  Did they get Revolution?  (Just wondering in case there are ear mites.)  And are they still getting ear drops?  I'd be frustrated that the vet isn't trying to pinpoint what is causing the itching.  I know sometimes vet choices are limited....is there anyone to take them to for a second opinion?  Maybe you could call some offices and ask if they have ways of diagnosing causes of ear itchiness.  (As I mentioned before, my vet tested the ear gunk to make sure she was treating the right thing.)

Good luck....hope the little guys are free of the itchies soon!

Yes, I'm going to continue to give them the ear drops, and I'll be giving them the anti-fungal pills too. The vet wouldn't give them Revolution yet; he said they have to wait 45 days after the last flea treatment, so in a week or two they can be treated with it. We started going to this vet because it's one of the oldest (and, I think, is the largest) practices in town; it's well-established and they must know a thing or two, but I guess what I'll do is, if the problem isn't cleared up with the current treatment and I suspect he doesn't have anything helpful to offer, then I'll start looking for another opinion. Which brings me to my main question: If we've tried treating them for bacteria, fungus, and mites (once they're given Revolution) and they are still scratching their ears/faces, what else could it be? What else could we try? I ask so I can be informed the next time I go in.

No, the vet hasn't done any type of testing to see what the problem is. For now, I guess I'll be happy that he seems to be covering all the bases, though in a round about way. I'll ask about testing when we go next week; I should have today but I suspect they just don't do much "in-depth" care anywhere here. And I'm not sure there are even labs to which samples/cultures can be sent.

Here, a vets' main source of income--as far as I can see--is sales, not pet care, and they don't have clients lined up for appointments. In fact, the vet "clinics" that we've seen are more like miniature pet stores: they sell food, toys, leashes, carriers, etc (almost everything is geared toward dog-owners), they might also sell song birds, hamsters or even puppies and kittens; and in the back is the tiny examination room. They don't charge for the examination, but rather for the medication they sell you. Today and two weeks ago, for example, the examinations and ear cleanings were free of charge, but they made money by selling us the pills and ear drops. Which is why I'm reluctant to switch vets just because he's trying to sell me things. I know that's how they make their living and I don't begrudge that; but I do want to be informed about my cats' problem so I can decide for myself if the treatment he's offering is likely to help or not.

I did a little googling and it looks like itching face and ears is common in cats with food allergies. Some articles mentioned it can even cause gunky ears.  I think you feed raw, maybe they are allergic to one of the proteins they are eating? Just a thought...

That might be possible... I'll try eliminating proteins one by one to see if that makes a difference. Thanks for the tip!