Ear clean up!?

Question

my persian kitten is 3.5 motnhs old.. is it okay to start cleaning her ears? if yes, how can i do so? It not really dirty... but she is scrathing it... it may be itchy...

Answer 1

You can use a q-tip to clean the ear but gently. You should also consult your vet to check for the cause of the itching. Possible causes are listed below: Goodluck=))
WHAT CAN CAUSE FELINE PATIENTS TO ITCH OTHER THAN FLEAS?

Food intolerance/allergy
Housedust and pollen allergy (atopy)
Insect bites
Ear mites
Other mites
Bacterial infections

Parasitic otitis: This is by far the commonest ear disease of cats and is extremely widespread no matter how well looked after the cats are. The causal parasite is Otodectes cynotis , one of the mange mites, and is just visible to the naked eye as a dirty whitish speck, often actively moving. Very large numbers of these mites are found in ears, even of young kittens. The whole life cycle, which takes about 3 weeks, occurs in the ear, from egg laying to death of adults. Mites are believed to live off the host only a fairly short time (10-20 days). Advantage is taken of the knowledge of the life cycle to time treatments appropriately.

Otodectes is a particularly difficult mite to kill and there are two essentials when finding the ideal medication; one is that it shall kill the harmful organism (whether bacterium, virus or parasite) quickly, and the second and equally important, that it shall neither harm or irritate the host tissues. If left untreated, complications may occur eg. secondary infection with pus-producing germs, haematoma due to scratching or chronic thickening of the ear lining.

Effective treatment must aim at killing and/or removing every mite and returning the lining of the ear to normal. Very gentle, but thorough, use of pledgets of cotton wool on thin forceps or wound round a thin stick, dipped in the chosen dressing and then used to remove debris and parasites is required - remembering the folds in the vertical canal mentioned earlier. It may be necessary to use 10-12 fresh pledgets of cotton wool to deal with one badly infected ear effectively. Great gentleness is needed if the lining of the ear is not to be damaged. If an owner has any qualms about this, it is far better to let a veterinary surgeon do it and the choice of a suitable dressing is always best left to professional advice.

Treatment need not be very frequent; daily dressing for mites does more harm than good. Severe cases will need to be dressed at 4-5 day intervals on 3 or 4 occasions, thereafter a periodicity of 7-10 days is adequate. Mild cases can be dealt with by weekly dressings from the outset. In all cases treatment must extend over at least 21 days, preferably 28. This periodicity and total duration will ensure that any larvae or nymphs deriving from eggs hatched since the previous dressing will be killed before they themselves can lay eggs. It is also advisable to treat the cat's fur with a parasiticide to kill any mites present on the cat outside the ears. Some cats salivate copiously during or even in anticipation of treatment; this is usually a purely nervous reaction.

At the end of treatment the lining of the ear canal is often left in an abnormally dry condition. The use of a few drops of liquid (medicinal) paraffin in the ears once weekly will correct this and seems to have some effect in preventing re-infestation. All cats in a household should be treated as the mite is very contagious.

Suppurative otitis: The ears of kittens and cats are liable to infection from pus producing organisms either as a primary condition, seen especially in kittens, or secondary to otodectic infestation. In either case, treatment is a matter for the veterinary surgeon as antibiotics will be needed. The primary infection in kittens can make them quite ill; they look extremely miserable with the ears held outwards and downwards and pus is sometimes literally pouring out of them and matting the surrounding fur. Prompt treatment is needed.

Answer 2

Cleaning the Ears:

To clean your cat's ears thoroughly, you will need some baby oil, a small bowl, & a few cotton balls. When you inspect a cat's ear, do not poke anything, even a cotton swab, into it, cat's ears are very delicate. Gently wipe away any dirt on the inside of the ear with a cotton ball, moistened in the baby oil. Be careful as you clean the ears, if you rub them too vigorously, you may damage them, or cause your cat discomfort. Use a light, circular motion.

Ear Mites:

Signs that your cat has a problem with ear mites are persistant scratching of the ears & shaking of the head. If the infection spreads to the inner ear, the cat's hearing & balance may be affected. If mites are present, your vet may prescribe a topical medicine or ear drops.

Ear Injuries:

A cat's ears are vulnerable to all types of injury. Persistant scratching can cause a blood blister, left untreated, this may lead to a deformed ear. If you think your cat has an ear disorder, ask your vet to examine it. Ear drops are a common medication for ear disorders & are easily administered.

How to Apply Ear Drops:

Carefully wipe away any visible dirt or discharge from the inside of the ear flap with a moistened cotton ball. Hold the head, & gently fold the outer ear back, so that the ear flap is exposed. Apply the correct number of drops. Once you have applied the drops, very gently massage them into the ear. Be careful not to poke the dropper into the ears.

I don't believe 3.5 months is too young to clean the ears. I hope this information helps. Good luck with the little cutie!

Answer 3

Did you get her from a "breeder"? If so call the breeder and see if she was ever treated for earmites. No reponsible breeder would allow those critters in their cattery.

Has she had a vet trip for her kitten shots? If so, call the vet tomorrow and see what he/she recommends you do. If she hasn't been yet she needs to go right away to start the shots and the vet will examine her ears.

DON'T clean her ears. If it is mites you will just force them farther down into the ear canal.

Answer 4

As long as you are using products made for cleaning cats ears than it should be fine, however you might want to take her to a vet to get her checked for ear mites. There really small so you won't see them but they will cause cats ears to be itchy. Sometimes their ears will become sore and red too. I would take her just to be sure.

Answer 5

She could have ear mites. Get her to a vet for a thorough once-over. If your vet gives you the all clear, you can buy some ear cleaning wipes or swabs at any pet store. Ask your vet about the best thing to use, and the easiest, safest way to get it done.

Answer 6

She should be doing this herself,but you can take some cotton swabs,the kind you use on your ears,and gently swab the inside.Don't go into the ear cannal.If there is a brown residue inside of the ear,she has ear mites.

Answer 7

Very carefully use a q-tip and mineral oil - don't go in far!

Answer 8

I would take her to the vet. Ask the vet if you can do it yerself.