At first, we thought he had earmite, because he was constantly scratching his ears and there was black stuff in there. . .so we'd clean it out and put in the ear mite medication. . .it seemed to be clearing up and now seems worse, he's been on the earmite stuff for almost a month now. . .What is this stuff?? It's almost like a black wax, but he's constantly scratching at it, making his ears sore, so we clean them out. . .but its gross. . .What can I do about it??? HELP!!!
2007-03-01 05:42:18 · 15 answers · asked by Smiley 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes, I know he should be taken to the vet. . .see, I attend college in MN but my home is in WI where my cat is staying, with my parents. . .I noticed his problem when I was home about a month ago, and they have been giving him the treatment. . .if it was still bad when I got, which it is, I was going to take him to the vet, however, we're in the middle of a "blizzard" so I dont foresee this happening anytime soon. Anybody gotta rough estimate on how much a vet visit is gonna cost?? I'm poor!! LOL!! I've got enough saved to get him fixed and declawed the end of the month. . .Do you think it will cost alot?? I really want to be able to get him fixed and declawed, dont want to be short on money. . .Any other suggestions on how to get rid of his problem??
2007-03-01 06:00:20 · update #1
Sorry, that last detail kinda sounded stupid, what I'm saying is, do you think it'll cost over say $50?? I want to know what to expect. . .if I'll be able to afford it
2007-03-01 06:03:33 · update #2
Sorry to hear about the problems your cat has been having. I would say the likeliness of ear mites is pretty high. The problem with over the counter treatments are this. They go more for quantity over quality. They may help the problem for a while, but in the end, they make the problem worse. Cats can suffer quite badly for ear mites, and some not suffer at all. If you can't afford the vets treatment, or the appointment i would say (if you can) to do this: Take a paper towel wet with warm water, and try and clean out most of the blackish sticky waxy stuff. Then try buying Bio Groom Ear mite treatment. To be honest, it actually works. But it's not an overnight process. You have to clean out the ear with the warm paper towel, and they use the treatment. It is inexpensive. Only about $6. And it should be all you need. I'm not saying that if you have the money or time you shouldn't go to the vet. But i understand circumstances, and sometimes you have to make the best of situations. Hope Bio Groom helps you.
Good Luck. Here's the link to buy Bio Groom =]
http://www.catguys.com/ear-mite-4oz-treatment.html
2007-03-01 06:15:11 · answer #1 · answered by Jackie B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor kitty!
Yes, the treatment will probably be over $50. But most vets are willing to work out a payment plan, if you can't come up with the cash up front. And your vet probably will, since you're a college student.
Since the ear mite treatment isn't working, I'm really not sure. Unless kitty's ears are constantly itching from where he's scratched them open- and so he scratches more. You may need to give him something to stop the itch and help the healing, as well as clean his ears.
Good luck!
2007-03-01 06:10:28 · answer #2 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to diagnos mites is to have the vet look in his ear with a scope. Many people think it's mites when in fact it isn't. By giving your cat a medication for such an extended period of time he may have developed a skin reaction to it or gotten a bacterial infection. He may very well have mites and just need a better product to solve the problem.
Take him to a vet and have his ears cleaned and checked out. He will thank you!
2007-03-01 05:57:37 · answer #3 · answered by aGhost2u 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cat might need it's ear flushed by the Vet sometimes mite medication doesn't do the whole trick. My dog had this happen and it went on for a few years off and on. We had special medication our Vet made up and did the flush about every other month or so. But get the poor thing to the Vet ASAP.
2007-03-01 06:01:12 · answer #4 · answered by Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are using an over-the-counter ear mites medication (if that is the problem) they don't work as you have found out. The vet can give one shot of Ivermectin and that is usually the end of an ear mite problem.
You are risking serious consequences by not having a evaluation from the vet and the appropriate treatment.
2007-03-01 05:52:25 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My vet told me that the only thing that really works for ear mites is a prescription you have to get through them because it's a pill or something like that and works from the inside out. So if it is ear mites or something else you should consider seeing you vet.
2007-03-01 05:47:30 · answer #6 · answered by Allie400 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I remember when I was younger one of my cats had ear mites. The inside of the ears were black and sticky. It also seemed to take forever to get rid of it but maybe my parents didn't clean the ears as often as needed.
2007-03-01 05:51:54 · answer #7 · answered by eigna728 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ear drops don't always work. My vet gave my cat Revolution. It's for fleas AND ear mites and works through being absorbed into the skin.
2007-03-01 05:50:41 · answer #8 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your cat to the vet. He's gone a month already in agony!
It may be an ear infection, and not mites.
Your cat could probably have permanent damage if not taken care of soon!!
2007-03-01 05:46:03 · answer #9 · answered by Jasmine Lily 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's likely blood / mite poop.. Take the poor cat to the vet and get some medication and a proper diagnosis.
2007-03-01 05:45:32 · answer #10 · answered by DP 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋