Cat advice needed....

[hils78]

Hi my young cat seems to be getting really mucky ears. The inside get dark spots of a dark waxy/bogey (sorry!) type substance. Is this a sign of ear mites or is it normal. She doesn't seem to be at all bothered by it. I have just been cleaning them out with cotton wool & warm water. I have never had any problems with my other cats ears so have no prior experience to go on & don't want to be rushing to the vet on a saturday for a case of 'kitten getting into everything so has dirty ears!'.

[baby-wilson]

hmm im not sure... my dog gets ear wax lol and we clean it out for him but im sure it would be normal...

Bye xx

[Carol C]

If she is scratching alot at her ears. That is a good indicator that she might possibly have ear mites.I don't think you will be able to see the mites, it just shows up as a dark waxy substance like you have described.

[dreams]

Hi,
It sounds like ear mites to me.
Best to get it checked out by a vet.
Take care xxx

[Mary]

Hi H, I think the only way to really find out is under micro scope. Some times when a puppy or kitten comes in for their vacs, the vet will notice the 'dirty ears' and take a bit of the muck and look at it under the scope. Quite often the owners havent even notice, sorry cant be more help!!

[cavykind]

If she were mine, as long as her ears weren't smelly or painful, which might indicate an infection, I'd simply buy some ear mite drops from pet store (one that doesn't sell animals) ;)
She might just have excessively waxy ears...some cats do...so a simple ear cleaner might be a good first step.

Because she isn't mine, I should say make an appointment at the vets and have her checked :)
Really if in doubt, consider this... as if ear mites really do get established they can be a nightmare to eradicate, trust me on this, I've fostered enough strays to know :(
Chronic infestation can lead to scar tissue forming and ongoing probs.

Barbara

[hils78]

I do think a trip to the vets is in order - but not emergency weekend vet! she is in no discomfort with them at all. They don't smell either. I've just been ultra lucky with my old cat, I've only had to take her to the vets once with cystitus - so no 'ear' experience with that one! Thanks for the advice peeps, will let you know the verdict as soon as I get her in early next week. Hx

[chinakit]

Usually 'mucky ears' do indicate ear mites, as they irritate the inside of the ear which leads to the ear producing yet more wax. You can get drops from good pet stores or from a vet, they are not that expensive.