Cat Ear Infection Medicine

What are cat ear infections?

Ear infections are not as common in cats as they are in dogs, but they do require urgent treatment. Ear mites are the most common cause of ear infections in cats. Other potential causes might include:

• Foreign object in the ear canal
• A mass
• Allergies
• Autoimmune disorders
• Environmental irritation
• Ruptured eardrum
• Insufficient cleaning
• Wax buildup
• Overgrowth of yeast or bacteria

How can I tell if my cat has an ear infection?

A few of the most common ear infection symptoms in cats are:

• Tilting or shaking the head
• Pawing or scratching at the ear
• Wax buildup near or on the ear canal
• Yellow or black discharge
• Swelling or redness of the ear canal or ear flap
• Disorientation
• Loss of balance
• Loss of hearing
• Odor
• Discharge resembling coffee grounds (a sign that your cat has ear mites)

How can I treat my cat’s ear infection?

The first step toward helping your cat recover from an ear infection is to make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to examine the affected ear, determine the cause and severity of the condition, and make a decision on treatment protocol. Your veterinarian might find that your cat is suffering from a yeast infection, an ear mite infection, or an inner ear infection. The treatment plan and medicine your vet recommends or prescribes will depend upon the source of the problem.

Some of the best products for cat ear infection treatment and ear care include:

• Cleansers – One of the best-loved cleansers for treating ear infections in cats is Vetericyn VF Plus Antimicrobial Otic Solution. This effective product works to cleanse, flush, and care for ear canal and outer ear wounds and irritation. It is the perfect complementary product, working in tandem with your cat’s medicine to help heal the ear.
• Drops – Drops are an excellent way to help treat or prevent ear infections in cats. One of the most popular cat ear infection drops is Zymox Enzymatic Solution (available with or without hydrocortisone). This product medicates yeast, viral, and bacterial ear infections.
• Ointments – One of the top-recommended types of medicine for treating ear infections in cats, ointment is a convenient and easy way to deliver direct, immediate relief of a number of ear conditions. Some of the most effective medicated ointments for treating ear infections in cats include Otomax, Derma-Vet (Dermalone), Animax, and Quadruple Ointment. Your vet might suggest using an ointment in conjunction with another type of ear infection medicine to get your cat on the road to recovery.
• Antibiotics and Anti-Inflammatories – Anti-inflammatories work to reduce the inflammation and associated pain caused by ear infections. Antibiotics are effective in treating the ear infection itself, helping your cat to recover and heal. Tresaderm is a prescription-only solution that combines a broad-spectrum antibiotic with an antifungal and a corticosteroid, delivering comprehensive relief of bacterial and fungal ear infections. Your veterinarian might opt to prescribe an oral antibiotic such as Azithromycin or Amoxicillin to treat your cat’s ear infection instead.

If your cat is showing signs of an ear infection, make an appointment with your veterinarian at once. Early treatment can lead to a shorter recovery time, less aggressive treatment, fewer medicines and products, and little to no effect on your cat’s long-term health. Your vet will likely recommend one or more of the products detailed above. Once you’ve ordered your cat’s prescriptions and medications at the best prices through Allivet, you might find yourself with questions about how best to use them. The skilled pharmacists at Allivet are available to consult pet parents about any product we carry!