If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Dirty cat ear, seen two different vets, need advice.
Hello everyone.
My poor kitty has had a very dirty ear for the past few months. Brown specs are all over the inside and outside of her ear. She even has it on her forehead if you look through her hair. I have two other cats that play with her and are in perfect health. It doesn't appear to hurt her when I touch it. At first I thought her ear was just dirty. So I gently cleaned them with an ear cleaner. It made her ear red and I felt horrible. I took her to the vet and they looked at the stuff in her ear under a microscope. He didn't see any mites but gave her a shot for it anyway. He told me to clean her ears again and it should clear up. Well, it didn't. I took her to another vet, who examined her ear, doublechecked it still was not ear mites, checked with a blacklight type instrument to make sure it was not a fungus infection, and then told me it is probaby acne. She was prescibed Doxxcylcine (1/4 tablet) for 16 days. Well, we're approaching the last days of meds and her ear is still nasty. I was wondering if anyone has an idea of what this may be and what the treatment is. I'm going to be going back to the vet very soon because I just want her ear to be well but I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks and sorry this was so long. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
A yeast infection is a possibility and exhibits the symptoms you
describe. I'm surprised neither vet mentioned this. http://www.21cats.org/health/earinfection.html Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
A yeast infection is a possibility and exhibits the symptoms you
describe. I'm surprised neither vet mentioned this. http://www.21cats.org/health/earinfection.html Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Fungus and yeast are the same thing yet I agree with you - it's
probably some yeast. I wonder if all yeasts shine or whatever under a black light. Anyway I'll see if I find something. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Fungus and yeast are the same thing yet I agree with you - it's
probably some yeast. I wonder if all yeasts shine or whatever under a black light. Anyway I'll see if I find something. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Miss Thangs ears have been consitantly dirty since we adopted her. We've checked her several times throught the vet and she finds no cause. Her best guess is that because of the herpes viruse the cats have and Miss Thang has always got a stuffy nose and still has sneezing fits wtih bubbles - any way they think that it is related to all that. They don't bother her - we just have to clean her ears often. Karryl |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Miss Thangs ears have been consitantly dirty since we adopted her. We've checked her several times throught the vet and she finds no cause. Her best guess is that because of the herpes viruse the cats have and Miss Thang has always got a stuffy nose and still has sneezing fits wtih bubbles - any way they think that it is related to all that. They don't bother her - we just have to clean her ears often. Karryl |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
"Kristina" wrote in message
om... Hello everyone. My poor kitty has had a very dirty ear for the past few months. Brown specs are all over the inside and outside of her ear. She even has it on her forehead if you look through her hair. I have two other cats that play with her and are in perfect health. It doesn't appear to hurt her when I touch it. My 13 year old cat, Tiger, has had skanky ears for years. She's been to three different vets who never did anything for it other than a deep cleaning, but the stuff always came back. A couple of months ago I told Tiger's current vet that I wanted to do another deep cleaning and I wanted the stuff tested to see what it is. Tiger was scratching at her ears *constantly*. They were bloody, she had scabs all over her head and she couldn't leave them alone. The tests came back saying that the stuff had some bacteria in in (staph-something-negative, don't remember the whole name). The vet prescribed a liquidy ointment called Animax. I have to bring Tiger back for a follow up, but so far her ears have remained clear for two months and she doesn't spend EVERY waking minute scratching her ears. It's so nice to see, because I know she's been feeling miserable for a long time. I can even pet her head gently now without her shaking it and immediately turning to scratch her ears. Liz p.s. the stuff in Tiger's ears was more than brown specks, though. The ears were full of a thick, brown waxy substance. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
"Kristina" wrote in message
om... Hello everyone. My poor kitty has had a very dirty ear for the past few months. Brown specs are all over the inside and outside of her ear. She even has it on her forehead if you look through her hair. I have two other cats that play with her and are in perfect health. It doesn't appear to hurt her when I touch it. My 13 year old cat, Tiger, has had skanky ears for years. She's been to three different vets who never did anything for it other than a deep cleaning, but the stuff always came back. A couple of months ago I told Tiger's current vet that I wanted to do another deep cleaning and I wanted the stuff tested to see what it is. Tiger was scratching at her ears *constantly*. They were bloody, she had scabs all over her head and she couldn't leave them alone. The tests came back saying that the stuff had some bacteria in in (staph-something-negative, don't remember the whole name). The vet prescribed a liquidy ointment called Animax. I have to bring Tiger back for a follow up, but so far her ears have remained clear for two months and she doesn't spend EVERY waking minute scratching her ears. It's so nice to see, because I know she's been feeling miserable for a long time. I can even pet her head gently now without her shaking it and immediately turning to scratch her ears. Liz p.s. the stuff in Tiger's ears was more than brown specks, though. The ears were full of a thick, brown waxy substance. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
I'd like to see what you find. I keep seeing a distinct connection
between yeast and IBD... something about the gut flora (Candida?). My IBD cat also gets goopy ears and had to have some polyps removed last year. He does the headshake a lot and I clean his ears a little at a time (all he allows me to do). Vet finished up the job last month. It's a black goop and I haven't noticed a smell but I see him pull goopy stuff from his ears when he scratches deep and I know it's time to clean. That's right, the list that I got mentions both candida and polyps as possible causes. Yeasts (fungus/mycosis)are a good thermometer of the immune status of the animal (or person). If the animal acquires a yeast infection/mycosis, s/he's very likely debilitated. The kittens that I trapped all had ringworm, possibly rhinotracheitis (a lot of discharge from eyes&nose and a lot of sneezing), and all of them were very tiny and underweight. It only took putting some good food inside of them for all the conditions to disappear. Bacterial infections and viral infections are also indicators of immune status but to a lesser extent. Some bacteria and some viruses are too virulent so even if one's immune system is in perfect health, they will become sick if infected. A cat with IBD is definitively very debilitated not only because his immune system is too concentrated in his gut but also because he does not absorb nutrients as he should. So yes, you can very often expect yeast infection with IBD. Two things that are wonderful to regulate and strengthen the immune system: high quality protein (preferably raw) and the B vitamins. If you do not want to give raw since you used steroids for so long, get some brewer's yeast tablets and give it to him daily - something like five tablets in the morning and five at night. These tablets are rich in B vitamins and high quality proteins. You might not have to force it into him. All my cats with no exception go crazy when they see (or hear) me openning the drawer to get their tablets. They just LOVE it. BTW, if your cat loves it too, you can buy the powder form and mix it with canned food as a flavorer. I remember you said canned Wellness worked for him. Did he get sick of it? |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
[I] Calling the AFPOracle Cat advice | Duke of URL | Cat anecdotes | 5 | July 19th 04 09:02 PM |
Warning: LONG STORY, but I need advice | Mischief | Cat anecdotes | 30 | February 27th 04 06:40 PM |
Getting ready for a new aby kitten in Chicago-advice on vets and preparations needed | kaeli | Cat health & behaviour | 148 | August 11th 03 04:38 AM |