Dirty Ear

mingking · Jan 30, 2016

Recently I've noticed Ming scratching at his right ear and today, it was drooping a little more than usual. So I went to check and found it looked dirty with brown gunk. I got a big Q-tip (not the small ones, but the ones with the big knobs) and put some ear solution on it and cleaned his ear. I didn't dig too deep but came up with brown gunk. I then doused his ear with the solution and wiped it clean.

Do you think this dirty ear needs a visit to the vet? I read that it could be a yeast infection! What could cause this and only in one ear?

And is it safe to clean his ear again? I was thinking I would clean it again tomorrow as well.

talkingpeanut · Jan 30, 2016

I would take him to the vet for treatment. What kind of ear solution are you using?

laura mae · Jan 30, 2016

Does it stink? Because if it does, it is probably an ear infection.

mingking · Jan 31, 2016

talkingpeanut said:
I would take him to the vet for treatment. What kind of ear solution are you using?

I'm using Vet Solutions Ear Cleansing Solution (8 oz)
I got it last time he had ear mites a year ago when I adopted him.

Laura Mae said:
Does it stink? Because if it does, it is probably an ear infection.

I just cleaned it so it smells like solution but I stuck my nose into his ear (lol) and I don't smell anything aside from the solution.

Do you know what might have caused an infection if it is?

fyllis · Jan 31, 2016

Is your cat strictly indoors? Or does he have access ton the outdoors (even on a patio or balcony? And does he have access to other cats or dogs? He could have gotten mites again?

The solution you are using looks like could be used to treat a fungal infection (most likely developed after the ear mites). It's not going to hurt to use it 2-3 times a day - it contains aloe and, even though it doesn't give the ingredients anywhere, I will 'assume' it contains some type of acid pH (indicated on the bottle) which will help if there is a fungal infection.

You say you got some brown 'gunk' from his ear. Can you be more descriptive? Was it a brownish-brown and smooth in texture like old, built up ear wax? Or was it more of a blackish-brown containing little black specks (possible ear mites again). Did you notice any tiny specks that might have had a red tint, like old blood? That could be mite poop. Is there an dry or flaky patches in or around the ear?

Personally, if it were me, I would use the solution you have for a couple days (with it being the weekend, the vet probably won't be open until Monday anyway). If by then you see it is clearing up, I would continue with the solution for a few more days to a week (2-3 times a day). But if you don't see any improvement or it seems to be getting worse - or if your cat's behavior changes in any way (loss of appetite, lethargy, severe scratching/head shaking, balance/walking problems) get him to the vet right away!

Either way, I suggest calling your vet early Monday and let him know what is going on. Write everything down because the more info you can give, the better response you will get.

When did it start, what are the symptoms, behavioral changes, if any, exactly what it looks like (be very descriptive), and what you have been treating it with and how often. Let them know if it seems to be improving, no changes, or getting worse.

Keep us posted as to how he is doing and what the vet says when you call (or go in).

By the way - He is beautiful!

mingking · Jan 31, 2016

Fyllis said:
Thank you! I'll drop by my vet on Monday and ask them about this since I'm due to go pick up another dose of Revolution.

fyllis · Jan 31, 2016

mingking said:
Thank you! I'll drop by my vet on Monday and ask them about this since I'm due to go pick up another dose of Revolution.

If possible, save the Q-tips and take them with you so you can show the vet. He will most likely be able to determone what is going on by what you show him. I don't think Revolution treats/prevents ear mites and as long as your cat goes outdoors, this could be a recurring problem.

Ear mites can also live on your cats fur and bedding for a period of time. I would suggest getting a microfiber cloth, moisten it with warm water and put a dash of apple cider vinegr in it and wipe your cat down a couple times a day for the next few days. Be sure to rinse the cloth well in hot water between wiping to get rid of any mites/eggs from the cloth. Wash his bed and anywhere he sleeps with a warm, moist cloth too. The life cycle of mites from egg to maturity is 3 weeks. When he goes outside, wipe his feet off with a moist cloth because he can carry them in on his feet.

In the meantime, work on keeping him indoors. He will eventually get used to the fact he is a strictly indoor cat and won't suffer from not going outside. Otherwise, I am afraid ear mites will be a repetitive occurance with him.They can lead to yeast infections in the ears and on the skin. You might want to ask your vet for ear mite medication while you are there. It has a fairly long shelf life - ask your vet.

mingking · Jan 31, 2016

Fyllis said:
If possible, save the Q-tips and take them with you so you can show the vet. He will most likely be able to determone what is going on by what you show him. I don't think Revolution treats/prevents ear mites and as long as your cat goes outdoors, this could be a recurring problem.
Ear mites can also live on your cats fur and bedding for a period of time. I would suggest getting a microfiber cloth, moisten it with warm water and put a dash of apple cider vinegr in it and wipe your cat down a couple times a day for the next few days. Be sure to rinse the cloth well in hot water between wiping to get rid of any mites/eggs from the cloth. Wash his bed and anywhere he sleeps with a warm, moist cloth too. The life cycle of mites from egg to maturity is 3 weeks. When he goes outside, wipe his feet off with a moist cloth because he can carry them in on his feet.
In the meantime, work on keeping him indoors. He will eventually get used to the fact he is a strictly indoor cat and won't suffer from not going outside. Otherwise, I am afraid ear mites will be a repetitive occurance with him.They can lead to yeast infections in the ears and on the skin. You might want to ask your vet for ear mite medication while you are there. It has a fairly long shelf life - ask your vet.

Got it! I was planning on cleaning his bedding anyway.

He's not really an outdoor/indoor cat. Mostly indoor and I let him walk around the backyard on a leash for 20-30 mins a day. Is there anything I can do to make sure the yard is bug free?

laura mae · Feb 3, 2016

It seems like a lot of different things can cause an infection. My cat Boo seems to have a polyp inside his ear that wasn't quite visible to one vet at the practice I take him to, but was visible to a different vet. So I have to wash his ear with saline solution---literally what you would use for soft contact lenses. I wipe out his ear afterwards with a cotton ball or pad to get any debris that washes out. I guess if something is obstructing wax and stuff from leaving the ear, it can get infected.

fyllis · Feb 3, 2016

mingking said:
Got it! I was planning on cleaning his bedding anyway.

He's not really an outdoor/indoor cat. Mostly indoor and I let him walk around the backyard on a leash for 20-30 mins a day. Is there anything I can do to make sure the yard is bug free?

There are treatments you can put on your lawn in Spring and Fall for fleas, but I don't think there is any prevention against ear mites. Too many wild animals carry them and they are easily spread. Best prevention is keeping your cat indoors and check his ears regularly.

stewball · Feb 4, 2016

It may just be a buildup of wax.

mingking · Feb 4, 2016

Fyllis said:
There are treatments you can put on your lawn in Spring and Fall for fleas, but I don't think there is any prevention against ear mites. Too many wild animals carry them and they are easily spread. Best prevention is keeping your cat indoors and check his ears regularly.

Got it. I might google some ear mite yard prevention and other bugs too. I still want to give Ming some outside time but if it's something that keeps recurring then it might just be time to keep him as an indoor cat 24/7.

Stewball said:
It may just be a buildup of wax.

I'm hoping it is. I'm going to the vet this Saturday just to be sure. I looked into his ear again and saw BLACK stuff rather than the brown stuff I saw last Friday.

mingking · Feb 6, 2016

I went to vet and he has an ear infection but luckily it's in one ear. I'm glad it's not ear mites and of course sad that it's an infection as well.

I asked what could've caused it and the vet said it can be anything and it doesn't matter whether or not he goes outside. It could be us tracking stuff in or an allergy to something in the home.

Dirty Ear

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