|
|
|
Petalia Resident Vet
|
|
Even though cats are constantly licking and grooming themselves, it is important to check your cat’s ears and clean them if you notice any dirt, wax or debris. Regular ear care at home will help reduce the likelihood of ear infections and excess waxy build up.
|
|
|
Checking the ears
Top
Incorporate ear care into your cat’s regular grooming program. If you notice any discharge, unpleasant smell, redness, swelling, lumps or pain, you should visit your veterinarian immediately. A special tool (an otoscope) is required to look down the ear canal to diagnose the problem and provide the correct treatment. Prompt treatment will ensure the problem doesn’t become more serious.
Any ear problem can cause affected cats to scratch or paw at their ears or shake their heads. Foreign objects in the ear, allergies, ear mites, certain skin conditions and infections with bacteria, fungi and yeasts can all cause ear disease.
|
Cleaning the ears
Top
To clean normal ears, use an ear cleaning solution provided by your vet. Ear cleaners remove excess moisture, wax and debris from the outer ear canal. Only use products specifically for cats (avoiding medicated products unless advised by your vet) and follow these simple steps for effective ear cleaning:
|
-
- Squeeze the bottle and dribble a few drops of ear cleaner into the ear canal
- Massage gently at the base of the ear (you will hear a squelching sound as you do so) to work in the solution. Stop if this appears to be painful to your pet and consult your vet. Repeat with the other ear and allow your cat to shake its head and help loosen any wax
- Use cotton wool to wipe away any excess solution, and to clean out any wax or debris. Use your forefinger only and gently clean as far as it will naturally reach to avoid hurting the eardrum
- Never use cotton buds or poke anything into the ear as you can damage the sensitive lining of the ear canal or, worse, perforate the eardrum.
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Petalia Resident Vet: Dr Julia Adams BVSc
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Related Products
|
|
|
