Why does my cat have a foul odor from her ear?

Question

My cat's ear smells very foul. Can't afford the Vet.

Answer 1

PLEASE GET YOUR CAT TO A VET!!!

i had a cat who started out with a smelly ear and it ended up being a tumor in his ear that turned into cancer and he passed away. he was my baby and he passed away because i didnt get him to the vet soon enough. if you really care about your cat you will find a way to get her to the vet. if not give her to someone who can. i have to live for the rest of my life knowing if i had taken him to the vet sooner he would be alive right now. its not something i want anyone else to live with.

Answer 2

Could be yeast, a very common infection besides bacteria or ear mites. Check around for an inexpensive vet. It shouldn't cost too much for an office visit, ear cytology (looking at an ear swab on a slide under the microscope) and some ear medications.
If you must, go to a pet store like Petco or PetSmart and ask for an ear cleaner or ear flush for cats. Put a squirt of the cleaner into the ear and massage the base of the ear. (It really helps to have a helper for this!) Let the cat shake, then gently wipe the inside of the ear with cotton balls. Do not use q-tips inside the ear! Clean the ear at least once per day. Clean the other ear too, but only once a week or so.

And, I hate to say it, but: If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet! Your pets rely on you 100% to take care of them. They can't do it themselves. I guarantee that the kitty's ear is itchy and painful. Would you let a little child suffer with an ear infection because you can't afford the doctor?

Answer 3

If it smells foul, it's most likely a bacterial infection. Only a vet can give you meds to clear it up. They're not expensive. The ones my cat was given were about $20. All the doc has to do is swab the ear and check it in a microscope. It won't cost much. Find a vet with a low office fee and you could be out of there for under $60. I think the total was around $80 at my vet, but he charges a crazily high office fee. I've since started seeing another vet.

Answer 4

She could have ear mites or an infection. Try cleaning her ears out with peroxide on a cotton ball. If the cotton ball is really dirty after you do this then I'd continue cleaning them at least 2 times a day for a few days. You can also get some medicine for mites at the local Wal Mart or drug store in the pet aisle.

Answer 5

Sounds like an ear infection of some kind, my dog has smelly ears so we bought this ear solution from the pet store and poured it in there. It works, her ears dont smell half as bad as they used to. I wonder if there is something like that for cats as well.

Answer 6

Check with your local SPCA or Humane Society, some will offer cheap medical services to those on a fixed income. Sounds like an infection and only a vet can clear that up.

Answer 7

Sounds like an ear infection to me. You need to take Him/her to get some medical attention. The humane society and other shelters offer cheaper medical care for cats and animals.

Answer 8

sounds like it may be ear mites. even if you cant afford to take the cat in to the vets you can call them and explain the situation and they can tell you what you can do to help it over the phone. if they insist you bring it in then you should even if it is costly.

Answer 9

many possibilities: ear infection, ear mites, yeast. . .only the beginning of the list. will need treatment - best thing to do is to take the cat in. if it's an infection and it spreads to the middle and inner ear, it can cause vestibular problems (balancing problems) and can lead to death. spend the money - it's worth it.