Why is my 4-day-old kitten's ear turning blue or black? Is it serious?

Yes, those pictures appear normal to me! It's common for white kitties' ear canals to have a bluish tint, and if he's always looked that way and is acting normal and playful then I'm not worried! Additionally, if he is drinking kitten milk he may be meeting his fluid requirements and may not need to drink water - so I am not worried about that either as long as he's eating and playful. I would add, though, that at 9 weeks he shouldn't need kitten milk so I'd recommend you discontinue that and just offer kitten food and water. Hope that helps!

That is a little bit concerning, especially since it seems like there is a distinct line of demarcation associated with the blue color. It's possible that there is not good blood flow to the skin in that area from the injury. Since it's difficult to evaluate based on a picture alone I'd recommend seeing your veterinarian for an exam in person - it's also possible that this is nothing to be too concerned about.

This looks like ecchymosis/petechia that are usually from a clotting disorder or vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). This can be a serious issue and I think you need to take her to the vet for an exam as soon as you can get her an appointment. Check her gums and her belly for any more signs of bruising like this. I really don't think this is due to trauma.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging from the picture you provided, I see black waxy material and also a tattoo that has been done on the inside of the pinna. The tattoo is likely to indicate that she has been spayed and it is in the pattern of a circle with a linear line through it. That is not a concern at all and will be permanent. The black wax may be due to ear mites or an ear infection though. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Fluffy so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. There may not be anything wrong with Mittens. Some pigment change in early kittenhood is not uncommon. I would mention it to your vet at her next vaccine appointment just to be safe. If, of course, you see anything else like a raw section, bleeding, or change in the texture of the nose, please see your vet sooner. Best wishes to you and Mittens!

Hi! It appears that you are seeing the blood vessels of Jasper's ear with good lighting. The ear does not look abnormal from the photo but if you see changes to the skin of the ear tips, swelling, pain, head shaking, hairless, or increased redness, he should be assessed by a veterinarian.

Pale nose and ears in a cat can be a sign of anemia (low red blood cell count), shock, or dehydration. The pale color happens because of poor circulation to the extremeties, which can be caused by any of the conditions I mentioned. If possible, I would recommend having your kitty examined by a vet since some of these issues can be serious - your vet can do some basic blood work to help determine what's wrong.