Kittens were adopted off the street. Have had daily ear cleanings by the vet for over 6 weeks. A pungent odor is coming from their ears. The vet wants to give up - I don't!
2006-10-21 21:17:41 · 6 answers · asked by Linell 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
If there's a smell coming from the ears, it suggests that there is infection there. Black exudate is usually suggestive of ear mites (believe it or not, you can often get an idea of what's going on by the colour and smell of the exudate!!), though presumably your vet has examined the ears and not found any. If the smell is sort of sickly sweet, it could be something like a Malassezia (yeast) infection.
In any case- has your vet taken swabs and done cytology, or even sent away samples for culture? Or just been cleaning the ears? And has he/she done the cleaning under sedation or GA (often needed to examine and clean properly), or just poured cleanser down the ears of wriggly kittens and left it at that?
It sounds like you should consider seeing a different vet (very common situation with ear problems). I'd imagine that if you've had the vet cleaning their ears every day for 6 weeks that costs would be starting to mount!
Good luck :o)
2006-10-21 21:51:48 · answer #1 · answered by Loz 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like an infection of some type to me, but yes, do go to another vet. Can also try regular q-tips soaked in baby oil to clean up the messy part, but make sure that the gunk is not from over cleaning, causing the ears to be overly dry and sensitive, causing more oil secretion in them. Can also check with your local health food store (preferably one who caters to holistic medicines) and find out what type of oils you can use for clearing up a possible infection and bad smell. Hope your new babies feel better soon, hope that this helps you some.
2006-10-22 05:11:39 · answer #2 · answered by Bunny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeast overgrowth can cause the ears to look dirty but if it is yeast they will smell bad too. It could also be an infection. Have you vet do a Fiv\Felv test to make sure that he does have any diseases. Its a blood test that they can do at the office. I am surprized that the vet didn't give the cat an atibiotic shot to help. Maybe try a different vet next time.
2006-10-22 08:37:54 · answer #3 · answered by Amy R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably just excessive ear wax. At the pet store u can get a liquid ear cleaner. It works great on dogs and cats. Try it. And u might look for another vet.
2006-10-22 04:29:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My kittens had black inside their ears when we first adopted them.
It gradually went away.. and I know why! The kittens licked each others ears clean! They regularly groom one another.
If it looks worse than ear-wax, get a second opinion.
2006-10-22 04:39:26 · answer #5 · answered by jesskar21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take them to another vet and never go back to the first and tell all your friends not to go to him either.
2006-10-22 04:25:58 · answer #6 · answered by Edward 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋