Know Your Cat's Ears – What Could Be Wrong And What Needs Done To Fix It
Posted on: 8 February 2018
Your feline friend relies on you to take care of him or her. When something is wrong, it is up to you to take notice and do something to make it right. When your cat begins to have problems with his ears, there are a few things that you should know to look for to help you treat the problem and get your cat feeling better. Here, you will learn a few symptoms to watch for and information about what your pet's healthcare provider will do to resolve it.
Symptoms to Watch For
Your cat won't act like himself if his ears are giving him problems. Things to watch for to know if the cat's ears are giving him problems include:
Excessive Scratching of the Ears – Yes, your cat scratches at his ears every day, but when the casual scratch becomes unstoppable, there is likely something wrong.
Constant Shaking of the Head – Your cat isn't trying to tell you "no," when he shakes his head constantly, there's something bothering him that is likely in his ears.
Smells, Discharge, Swelling and Redness – The minute you notice that your cat's ears aren't looking right, it's time to get them looked at. These are all signs of inflammation or infection that could get worse if they are ignored.
Treatments for Feline Ear Issues
Your cat's health care provider is the only one that will be able to give your feline friend an accurate diagnosis. It is possible that the vet will need to perform different tests as well as give your cat a thorough exam. Once the diagnosis is made, treatment plans can be put in place.
Your vet will need to know a few things to help with the diagnosis and treatment plan, including:
- How long the symptoms have been an issue
- How the cat's diet and appetite have been
- If there have been other cats around him
- How his behavior has been
- Any treatments that you may have tried on your own
Once a diagnosis is made, treatment will begin. Many cat ear issues are a result of yeast and bacterial infections. Chances are, the cat will be given a round of antibiotics and possibly steroids to help fight the infection. If ear mites were the cause, your cat will be given medication to kill and remove the mites inside the ear.
The minute you notice something is wrong with your cat's ears, it's important that you get an appointment with your cat's animal hospital. He or she will walk you through diagnosing the problem and work with you to get your cat feeling better again.
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