My cat has ear fungus. What's the proper treatment for her ears?

No, cortisone drops alone will not treat a bacterial infection. Many ear drops have a combination of cortisone along with an antibiotic and/or an antifungal medication, so it's possible that this is the type of ear drop that was prescribed. If you have the specific name of the drop, we can tell you for sure what's in it :)

Most of these cats will respond to local treatment. It must be a medication indicated for pets since the cat may in just the medication. There are also medicated dips and systemic medications as well. Since the areas on the eye, if you treat topically, Angel will need to wear an Elizabethan collar at all times to protect the medication from being wiped away. Speak with your veterinarian about her best option. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If it went away with the antifungal cream and returned when you stopped the cream, it's probably a fungal infection of some sort. It can take a very long time to fully clear those up, so she may need a much longer course of treatment or even oral medication.

Ear infections can be caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, or a combination of these, and can be associated with dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, or a combination of the above. If the Surolan helped but the infection has returned, Melcho needs to see a vet to have an ear swab done. Your vet can look at the sample under the microscope and treat appropriately based on what is found. Trying different medications without testing to determine the cause is not effective, and can lead to bacterial resistance to medication. Your vet will likely need to examine the ear with a scope to see if the ear drum is intact, as some medications cannot be used safely if the eardrum is ruptured. They may also recommend a culture and sensitivity test of a swab from the ear to help figure out what specific bacteria could be present and what medications they are sensitive to. Ear infections can be very painful, and as you mentioned, can sometimes progress to include the middle or inner ear, where they can cause neurologic signs or permanent hearing loss. Please book an appointment to have Melcho seen as soon as possible to help get him feeling better, and you can request a referral from your veterinarian if they are not willing or able to provide further care as you mentioned.

Ear infections in cats can also be caused by yeast or bacteria, and are more common causes of ear infections in adult cats. Ear mites are more common in kittens. In order to treat Belle properly, she does have to see a vet, and vets will see pets for sickness. This counts, as leaving it untreated can lead to hearing loss. Give her vet a call to make her an appointment.

I am sorry to hear about Chy. Unfortunately, I suspect the steroid injection didn't actually fix her ear but just decreased the pain and inflammation temporarily, making it appear she was cured because her discomfort was temporarily relieved. If her infection was not treated with medication to kill the bacteria and yeast, it most likely is still present and will not go away with out the prescribed treatment from your vet. You could ask if they have another option for ear medication that is more affordable, or discuss any payment options they may have.

This little kitty needs to see a veterinarian to determine if the cause of the skin condition is bacterial or fungal infection. The treatment of each would be very different. Both would require prescription medication, but it is essential to know what kind of infection it is to move forward.