My cat's ears are dirty and bleeding from scratching. What's next?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Rey! From your pictures I think that Rey likely has an ear infection with either bacteria and/or yeast. Ear mites are also possible. Polyps can lead to ear infections are usually removed surgically. In order to diagnose an ear infection, ear mites or a polyp she needs to be examined by a Vet. They will provide ear cleaner and ear drops and if she has a polyp they can discuss surgical options. I hope this helps and I wish Rey the very best!

Those ears are very red, which indicates that something is really irritating them. Ear mites could be a cause and can be easily treated for. Allergies is another common cause, but it's more likely to be related to the environment than it is food. Food allergies account from 5-15% of all allergies and require a proper elimination diet trial to diagnose the cause, so I wouldn't worry about switching around foods at this time. Bathing is a good idea, because it may remove the environmental allergin that is causing the problem. I would recommend bathing about once a week with cool water; using a shampoo and conditioner labeled for cats with oatmeal or aloe as ingredients. You can also get ear flush at the pet store. This will help treat/prevent ear infections and remove allergins. There are some good instructional videos on youtube that can show you how to properly do this. I recommend flushing once every other day for two weeks. However, this kitty needs some relief from the inflammation and it may be necessary for a trial treatment for ear mites. If the vet you went to before did not offer any sort of treatment options, then I would either ask for a follow-up visit or go to another vet for a second opinion. I hope that helps and Pequenino feels better soon.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If he truly has mites, they are not going to completely go away with the peroxide so if the ears get dirty again as before, I recommend you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. If properly diagnosed, ear mites can be easily treated. Best of luck!

It sounds as though Bo is quite uncomfortable since she's scratching her ears excessively to the point of bleeding. While this is not a life-threatening emergency, it is certainly causing some degree of pain and discomfort, which necessitates a more urgent vet visit. It's likely that the ear mite medication didn't work because her issue may be caused by an ear infection with bacteria and/or yeast. At this point, your best option is to call your vet to ask about scheduling an urgent visit. I hope that she feels better soon!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging from the photos you have provided, I would suspect this to be a severe allergic reaction or something such as a cancerous skin condition of the ear pinna. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine this so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Vampira may need a course of steroids to treat this if it is a mosquito bite hypersensitivity or other allergy. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Poor Spookette! It sounds like she may have a pretty bad ear infection. Ear infections can be due to mites, bacteria, or yeast in cats. I'd recommend scheduling an examination with a veterinarian so Spookette can have her ears checked out. A swab can be taken from the ears and evaluated under the microscope to determine if the cause is mites, bacteria, or yeast. She will likely need prescription ear medication to treat. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Spookette's ear issue resolves quickly!

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks possibly consistent with ear mites. If not, an ear infection would be considered likely. I recommend you have him evaluated by your veterinarian so this suspicion can be confirmed and he can be treated for it. Treatment usually result in quick relief. Good luck!