University
Commons Animal Clinic
1827 Wehrli Road , Naperville, IL 60565. Phone:
630-544-3333 |
|
Ear infections are among the
most common health problems in cats, affecting all ages. They usually involve
the outer part of the ear (otitis externa) and cause extreme discomfort,
itching, pain and constant irritation. If left untreated, they tend to progress
deeper (otitis media and interna), causing complications like hearing loss,
Horner's syndrome and equilibrium alteration (vestibular disease).
Parasites are very common
causes of ear infections. They include ear and mange mites and are readily
transmitted among cats. Stray cats and kittens are highly susceptible to ear
mites. Intense itch, head shaking and dark discharge in the ear canal are
typical signs. Mites can also cause secondary allergic inflammation and long
term ear problems. Fortunately we have effective medications to treat and
prevent the parasitic mites.
Various allergic conditions are
responsible for inflammation of the ears and often the rest of the body. The
inflammation is characterized by redness, thickening of the skin and flakiness.
The irritated and inflamed ear undergoes opportunistic bacterial and/or yeast
invasion and becomes infected. These infections worsen if not treated promptly
and cause pussy and bloody discharge. Affected cats scratch constantly and
further injure themselves. These
injuries and the vigorous head shaking sometimes result in broken blood vessels
that bleed under the skin and form a pocket of blood (ear hematoma). The ear
swells like a balloon and requires surgical intervention. Allergies and
secondary infections tend to be recurrent or chronic and often need long term
attention. Medical treatment includes antibiotics, anti-fungals and
anti-inflammatories. The medications may be administered locally to the ear or
systemically. In some severe cases, ear infections need to be treated surgically
as well.
Other systemic diseases and tumors of the ear may be underlying conditions that produce similar signs or become complicated by secondary infections. Accurate diagnosis is essential to successful treatment of ear infections and diseases.
