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Purulent otitis media in a kitten. Treatment of otitis media in cats

Inflammation of the ears in cats (otitis) is a fairly common phenomenon. It causes a lot of suffering to the animal, and in especially severe cases leads to the development of a serious disease - meningoencephalitis.

Otitis of the external ear is most often observed in cats. The disease begins with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the organ. Then the tissues of the middle ear are damaged and pus is released. The disease occurs in two forms: acute and chronic. In acute inflammation, the eardrum may be perforated, hearing acuity may decrease, and complete deafness may occur.

Causes of the disease

Various factors can provoke the development of otitis media in cats. The main reasons are:

damage to the integrity of the eardrum resulting from injury or scratching of the ear;
transfer of infection from the pharynx;
ingress of foreign objects - insects, thorns and others;
tick infestations;
accumulation of wax in the ear canal;
cold water getting into the ear;
bacterial and fungal diseases;
skin pathologies - eczema, boils, dermatitis.

Ear inflammation in a cat can manifest itself as a secondary disease against the background of infectious diseases: rhinitis, pharyngitis and others. The risk of developing otitis media increases in the presence of predisposing factors. They may be: disturbances in air exchange in the auricle and increased humidity, the presence of a narrow ear canal and abundant hair, the animal’s tendency to allergic diseases, as well as endocrine and immune diseases (lack of thyroid hormones, pemphigus, discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus).

Otitis media in cats most often occurs due to an infectious disease of the outer ear and injury to the eardrum. If timely treatment is not carried out, the inflammation spreads to the inner ear.

Symptoms of the disease

Otitis media in cats is accompanied by severe itching; the animal scratches the sore spot and tilts its head. Symptoms such as:

redness of the ear and parotid area;
hair loss;
violation of the integrity of the skin, its thickening and roughening;
discharge from the ear;
copious discharge of pus (if the eardrum is damaged);
ulcers inside the ear;
crust formation;
in the case of a purulent form of the disease, body temperature rises;
when the inner ear becomes inflamed, coordination of movements is impaired, the cat spins in place and falls;
the animal becomes lethargic, appetite worsens, vomiting begins;
in severe cases, paralysis of the facial nerve may occur - a distortion of the lip will be observed on the side of the affected ear.

When the last four symptoms appear, the cat must be immediately taken to the veterinarian, as a serious complication may develop - meningoencephalitis.

When you press on the base of the cat's ear, you can hear a characteristic squelching sound. With a prolonged course of the inflammatory process, the ear canal narrows, and benign formations appear in the affected areas.

Drug therapy

Before treatment, you need to carefully remove the resulting crusts and pus, and carefully trim the hair inside the ear. Crusts can be softened using:

warm boiled water;
3% salt solution (30 g per 1 liter of boiled water);
the drug Epacid-alpha (a cotton swab is moistened with 1-1.5 ml of solution);
special ear lotions.

Then antiseptic treatment should be performed. To do this, wipe the cat's ear with a cotton swab moistened with a 3% solution of boric or salicylic acid. You can also use the drug Aurikan and solutions of hydrogen peroxide, Iodez, Chlorhexidine, Povidone-iodide.

Aurikan ear drops for otitis media have a complex effect - antibacterial, antiseptic, insecticidal and anti-inflammatory. The drug is used not only to treat ear inflammation in cats, but also to prevent the disease, as well as during hygiene procedures. For cats, 5 drops are instilled into the ear canal. After this, massage the auricle with light circular movements. Daily instillation is performed during the first week. Then the number of treatments is reduced. Over the next month, the medicine is dripped twice a week.

If the inflammation is severe, then after drying the cleaned ear, you can apply 0.5% prednisolone ointment. The medicine has antisecretory and antiedematous effects. It is the main treatment for allergic otitis media in cats. Ulcerative lesions are lubricated with Otodepin or Pikhtoin ointment.

Otodepin ear drops should be instilled 2 times a day. This product should be lubricated throughout the ear. Treatment lasts 5–7 days. If the animal is prone to otitis media, then preventive treatment should be done every day.

In the treatment of pathologies associated with infection by fungi and gram-negative bacteria (chlamydia, protea, enterobacteria), acidification of the ear surface using the following means helps:

chlorhexidine;
povidone iodide;
lactic, salicylic, boric acid;
2% acetic acid solution, which also affects gram-positive staphylococci.

Local antifungal treatment of otitis in cats is carried out using Imidazole and Amphotericin B ointments. Treatment with them is carried out 1-2 times a day, the total duration of therapy lasts 10 days.

For antimicrobial treatment of the ear surface, it is recommended to use universal antibacterial agents: Chloramphenicol, a mixture of penicillin, streptocide and synthomycin powders, Sofradex (2-3 drops, 3-4 times a day, treatment duration 2-3 days).

As a general strengthening and maintenance therapy, it is advisable to use Gamavit at a dosage of 0.4 ml/kg body weight. It is recommended to give the product to cats 2 times a day for 3–5 days.

Since it is difficult to determine the exact cause of otitis in cats at home, it is recommended to treat it in combination with anti-tick drugs: Bars, Amit, Otovedin, Dekta, Decor-2 and others.

If the disease does not respond to traditional methods of treatment, then the animal must be taken to a veterinarian. The specialist will prescribe systemic antibiotics and antifungal drugs.

Otitis is an inflammation of the ear in cats and one of the most common ailments affecting the external hearing system of pets. Most owners tend to think that the disease is harmless, but this is a deep misconception.

Untimely treatment and development of purulent otitis media can soon lead to serious complications - meningitis or even inflammation of the brain. Therefore, it is worth knowing not only about the signs and causes of otitis media, but also measures to prevent it.

Causes of otitis media in cats

The cat's weak immunity and low body resistance make it practically defenseless against staphylococcus, streptococcus and trichophytosis bacilli, which leads to the development of the most severe form of this disease - purulent otitis of the inner ear.

It's no secret that cats love to climb trees, which often leads to injuries or scratches to the outer ear, against which otitis media can again develop.

In addition, the cat owner must remember that hypothermia and poor sanitation of the ears are also a harbinger of this serious disease.

Otitis in a cat: symptoms and signs of the disease

An attentive owner will always notice changes in the behavior of his pet if he knows the main symptoms of otitis media of the inner ear. The most common are the most visually identifiable signs:

Irritation and redness of the skin of the sore ear, in which the cat periodically rubs it and at times applies it to the head;
Acute pain provokes a sharp jumping up, screaming of cats, frightened looking around, the cat does not allow you to touch its head;
Constant itching and the appearance of ulcers and scratches in the ear area;
Shaking the head and lack of auditory response to the affected side;
Possible drooping of the eyelid in case of damage to the facial nerve;
The appearance of a characteristic cloying odor;
Discharge from the ear with purulent otitis media;
By bending over to your pet, you can listen to the characteristic gurgling and squelching sounds;
Loss of appetite and cheerfulness;
High temperature;
Irritability, constant meowing and screaming

Due to the slow development of otitis, in some cases, despite minor deviations in the cat’s behavior, a trip to the veterinary clinic is the optimal solution for quick rehabilitation and treatment of the pet.

Purulent otitis in cats treatment

The disease at this stage is less treatable and there are frequent cases of surgical intervention or novocaine blockade to eliminate pain. The veterinarian also prescribes a course of antibiotics for a sick cat, vitamin therapy, rinsing of the auricle and strict adherence to a diet.

In a more simplified form, treatment at home is acceptable, subject to strict adherence to all doctor’s instructions. It is especially important before starting any therapy to identify the root cause of otitis media and eliminate it, only then will it be possible to achieve positive results.

Treatment of otitis media in cats at home

If you have been diagnosed with otitis media in a cat, what to treat will be advised by an experienced veterinary clinic doctor who will professionally approach this issue and prescribe the most effective treatment. In most cases, a whole range of treatment procedures is prescribed, which must be carried out at a strictly defined time:

Clean the inside of the ear from hair;
Periodically remove purulent discharge and accumulated wax with a gauze cloth moistened with a special lotion for ear hygiene;
Remove any remaining moisture and wait until the affected area is completely dry;
Apply drops prescribed by the veterinarian and lubricate with ointment determined individually by the attending physician

To avoid the development of otitis media, you should adhere to preventive measures that will help minimize the risk of the disease.

Prevention of otitis in cats

Strict adherence to the rules of maintenance and care;
Regularly inspect the ear canal;
Timely cleaning of the ear canals from wax;
Avoid walking in damp, windy weather and severe frost;
During water procedures, prevent water from getting into your ears;
Avoid contact with stray cats;
Disinfect your pet's toiletries weekly

Every cat owner must know that the slightest delay in contacting a veterinarian can cost your beloved pet hearing loss or even take his life.

For certain reasons, domestic cats may develop an inflammatory process in the hearing organs. This disease is not always perceived by owners as something dangerous, but in vain!

Otitis in cats causes severe pain, significantly worsening the life of the pet. If left untreated, the disease becomes chronic and is often accompanied by relapses.

Inflammation of the ears in cats is a rather dangerous condition that leads to serious complications. The animal may not only lose hearing, but also die, which is associated with the risk of this disease developing into meningitis and sepsis.

Today we will discuss the symptoms and treatment of otitis in cats, find out the causes of inflammation in the hearing organs and what preventive measures will reduce the likelihood of developing ear disease in domestic cats.

Drug treatment

Representatives of the feline family have hearing organs that are identical in structure to human ears. They consist of three sections: internal, external and middle. Inflammation can be localized in a certain part of the ear. The severity of the process and methods of treatment depend on the location of the outbreak.

Drug therapy includes:

Regular cleaning of the ear canals with disinfectants to remove various contaminants, putrefactive crusts, exudate, etc. In severe cases of otitis, these manipulations are carried out by experienced doctors on an outpatient basis, using surgical cleaning methods.
Treating the ear with medications as prescribed by a veterinarian.
It is necessary to drip the ears with anti-inflammatory drops.
In the presence of severe pain syndromes, the doctor prescribes painkillers for injection.
For purulent otitis, antibacterial therapy is carried out. Treatment medications and dosage are determined by the attending veterinarian on an individual basis.
For fungal infections of the ears, antifungal agents are prescribed for external use.
Immunotherapy.

When treating otitis media in cats at home, it is important to provide the patient with suitable conditions that promote a speedy recovery.

Your pet's diet should be dominated by easily digestible dishes and fortified foods that strengthen the general condition and immunity. Stressful situations should not be allowed for the animal. It is also important to avoid hypothermia and exposure to drafts.

Therapeutic therapy is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process in the animal’s ear and suppressing harmful microorganisms, the proliferation of which causes some complications.

When treating mild otitis, various disinfectant solutions are used to clean and treat the ears. This must be done repeatedly. The veterinarian will indicate exactly the number of procedures per day.

If the inflammatory process has moved to the middle part of the hearing organs, antibacterial drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesic injections are added to the treatment course.

To eliminate complex otitis media, complex therapeutic treatment and surgical cleaning of diseased ears from pathological discharge are provided. At this stage of the disease, it is important to alleviate the animal’s condition as quickly as possible and prevent its premature death, which can happen as a result of developing complications.

Medications used to treat otitis media in pets

Effect of the drug	Name of pharmaceutical product
Disinfectant solutions for cleaning ears	Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, hydrogen peroxide, boric acid
Anti-inflammatory ear drops	Tsipam, Sofradex, Anandin, Otovedin, Dexamethasone
Antibacterial drugs (treatment of purulent otitis media)	Amoxiclav, Cefazolin, Erythromycin, Spiramycin, Ceftriaxone
Antifungal ointments for local therapy	Nystatin ointment, Panolog, Clotirmazole
Painkillers	Novocaine blockades are most effective for this disease.
General strengthening agents	Vitamin and mineral complexes, immunomodulators

Comprehensive treatment of otitis in a cat, carried out under the supervision of an experienced veterinarian, will quickly eliminate such an unpleasant disease and eliminate the risks of complications.

Types of feline otitis media

Otitis in cats is divided into three main types, which depends on the location of the inflammatory process:

The mildest form is the external one, affecting the superficial parts of the organ, but does not extend to the eardrum. Can be treated quickly.
The most common form of the disease is moderate, affecting the deeper parts of the ear, including the eardrum. Such otitis media can become chronic. If treatment is started in a timely manner, the prognosis for the animal is favorable.
Inflammation of the inner ear is a severe disease that affects the eardrum and vestibular apparatus. For this form, a purulent lesion is relevant. If left untreated, there is a high risk of complications: hearing loss, development of meningitis and sepsis.

If one organ of hearing is affected, unilateral otitis media is diagnosed. If the inflammatory process develops in two ears, a bilateral form of the disease is established.

According to the nature of the course, otitis media is divided into an acute form, accompanied by very pronounced symptoms, and a chronic form, occurring with alternating remission and exacerbations.

Purulent otitis media

With complications of an acute inflammatory process, purulent otitis media develops in a cat, which is a direct reaction of the body to foreign cells. At the initial stages, the pathology is localized on the outer part of the ear and is accompanied by severe itching, forcing the animal to scratch the sore ear until it bleeds.

Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into open wounds, as a result of which a purulent process develops, in which inflammation transfers to the middle parts of the ear. As a result of the accumulation of purulent masses inside the organ, the eardrum becomes deformed, which leads to hearing loss.

In the most severe cases, which is usually observed in the absence of timely treatment, the inflammatory process penetrates into the deep parts of the organ. With this complication, the cat’s condition seriously deteriorates, paralysis, loss of coordination of movements and other pathological signs are observed.

The last stage of purulent otitis is the transition of inflammation to the bones of the skull and brain, resulting in irreversible neurological disorders, which often leads to the death of the animal.

Fungal otitis media

Otomycosis or fungal otitis in furry family members can be an independent or secondary disease. An advanced inflammatory process critically weakens the protective properties of the epidermis, as a result of which the fungus activates an ear infection.

With such otitis media, the cat is bothered by severe itching in the ears. The owner may notice excessive wax production and redness in the ear canals.

At the progressive stage of fungal otitis, swelling of the ears, purulent discharge and an unpleasant putrid odor are observed. To eliminate pathological signs, regular ear treatment is carried out using effective means on the recommendation of a doctor.

Symptoms of otitis media

The severity of symptoms depends on the stage of the disease and the area of the ear affected. Developing inflammation in the hearing organs can be determined with the naked eye, based on the clinical signs characteristic of this disease.

Otitis in a cat has specific symptoms:

the cat often shakes its head and tries to scratch its ear;
irritation and redness of the skin is observed in the area of the ear canal;
pain in the ears, provoking dramatic changes in the animal’s behavior;
loss of appetite;
the cat meows loudly and does not allow the owner to touch its ears;
atypical discharge appears in the ear canals;
with purulent and fungal infections, a rather unpleasant odor emanates from the ears;
high body temperature;
“squelching” of accumulated purulent masses in the ears;
the cat loses activity, becomes irritable and whiny.

In an animal suffering from otitis media, symptoms of developing inflammation in the ears are quickly identified. At the progressive stage, signs of already formed complications are observed. The kitten may develop pathology of the facial nerve, nystagmus, blepharospasm, problems with swallowing and other unpleasant consequences of advanced otitis media.

It is difficult to ignore such severe symptoms of otitis media in cats. Don’t delay treatment, show your pet to an experienced doctor! Timely therapy will not only free the poor animal from painful torment, but will also eliminate the risks of complications, including the premature death of the pet.

Causes of inflammation in the ears

The range of causes that provoke an inflammatory process in the hearing organs of a domestic cat is quite large. The most common provocateurs of otitis in animals:

The disease may be hereditary. Scottish and British fold cats are at risk, which is due to the genetic characteristics of the body.

Diagnosis of otitis media in cats

Otitis can also be determined by clinical manifestations, but to establish an accurate diagnosis, the veterinarian will necessarily conduct a diagnostic examination of the ear canals and prescribe some research methods. Based on the results, the severity and location of the inflammatory process in the pet’s ears will be determined.

If otitis is suspected, diagnostics are carried out in an outpatient veterinary clinic using the following methods:

biochemical analysis of cat blood;
laboratory examination of discharge from the ears of a sick animal;
endoscopic examination of the inner ear (performed under anesthesia).

Based on the information received, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan. The effectiveness of therapy and the speed of recovery depend on various factors: the individuality of the animal’s body, the correctness of compliance with treatment prescriptions and the severity of the disease.

Otitis is a painful inflammatory process in a kitten’s ears. It is unacceptable to ignore it, allowing your defenseless animal to experience unbearable pain and fear for its life. If you really love your pet cat, don’t delay visiting the veterinarian, contact the clinic as soon as you notice the first signs of illness!

Prevention

Prevention of otitis in domestic cats does not involve complex manipulations. To reduce the likelihood of developing an inflammatory process in your pet’s ears, you must:

regularly clean the ear canals from wax and other contaminants;

You should always pay attention if your cat scratches its ear with its paw too often. This may indicate that the ear is damaged and a process has begun that results in the formation of pus in the cat's ear. This should be taken care of immediately, since in the case of an advanced stage of the disease, the cat may lose hearing.

A cat's ear becomes infected as a result of exposure to external factors, which are easily identified and, if detected, urgent measures must be taken to quickly stop the inflammation. Prevent the development of the disease. And for this you need to know the reason for its development:

a tick has got into the ear, it has attached itself to the cat's ear and sucks blood, the surface of the ear is damaged, and the results of the tick's vital activity get into the wound, infection occurs, a characteristic symptom of a tick-borne infection is itching, due to which the cat scratches the ear;
the result of an allergic reaction, for example to food, pollen, etc., in this case it is quite simple to treat - you need to find out the cause of the irritation and eliminate it;
various microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, viruses) that get into microcracks on the surface of the ear, and inflammation begins;
non-domestic cats, i.e. those who can freely go outside, often damage their ears during fights, climbing bushes and trees; an infection can penetrate into the resulting wound, which will lead to the release of pus.

All these factors explain why a cat’s ear festers, but knowing them is also important, as well as how the resulting disease manifests itself. It is also important that you need to take care of the cat’s ear surface so that wax does not accumulate in the ear.

Signs of illness

It is not necessary to immediately take your pet to the veterinarian to determine why the ear smells of pus; this in itself is one of the signs of the disease, but there are others.

The cat often scratches its sore ear with its paw, rubs it against furniture, the legs of its owners, and tilts its head in the direction where it feels the greatest itching.
Under these conditions, it is worth examining the sore ear; its surface will be reddened. The examination itself is not so easy, since the animal experiences pain.
When the inflammation process goes too far, pus flows from the cat’s ear. Externally it is gray in color.
The behavior of the pet changes: apathy appears, there is no appetite, the cat prefers to lie down more, moves little and reacts extremely painfully to stroking, especially of the head.

The characteristic unpleasant odor from the ear completes the whole picture, which suggests that it is necessary to cure this disease without delay. But when pus flows, this is already a fairly advanced stage of the disease, so there are several types of feline otitis media, which is what the disease is called in scientific terminology.

Species

It is easier to cure a disease when it has just appeared, but if it is advanced, you have to spend a lot of effort to put the cat’s ear in order.

Otitis externa. In this case, the infection has not yet penetrated deeply and it is possible to use external auxiliary agents to prevent the spread of infection.
Otitis media, a disease that affects the eardrum and can become chronic, however, if treatment is started on time, such complications can be avoided.
The most dangerous thing is when the inner ear becomes inflamed, it is in these cases that fluid is released and even with the most favorable prognosis, the cat can be struck by deafness.

To prevent the most extreme forms of otitis in animals, you need to monitor the cat’s ears, wipe their surfaces, and in case of illness, drops of uricin, suralon, cyprovet and others will help.

VETERINARIAN CONSULTATION REQUIRED. INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Administration

Many animals kept at home have diseases that humans suffer from, including ear diseases. The most common disease among ear diseases is otitis in cats, which, if treated incorrectly or not accurately diagnosed, can lead to serious problems, including deafness or, even worse, death.

The types of ear disease in cats directly depend on the structure of its ears and are divided according to the localization of the disease in different ear sections.

Otitis externa in cats is one of the least dangerous types of the disease, because it affects only the outer, that is, the visible part of the ear.
Otitis media - inflammation affects the eardrum and the entire contents of the middle ear. This type of otitis tends to take a chronic form more often than others.
Internal otitis is the most dangerous type of disease; it can take critical forms, often leading to complete hearing loss or brain damage.

Causes of the disease

Otitis in cats is quite easy to detect and promptly begin treatment. A loving owner who pays enough attention to his pet will certainly notice changes in the animal’s behavior and will be able to begin treating it in time.

The cat becomes more restless than usual, tries to scratch its ear, rubs it with its paw, constantly shakes its head and tilts its head in the direction where the source of pain is located.
Redness and irritation of the skin of the sore ear. The skin on the inside of your ear may feel hot.
Increase in general body temperature in later stages of the disease.
Ear swelling, intense redness, decreased appetite and activity.
Purulent or serous discharge from the ears with an unpleasant odor. The same discharge from the nose and eye of a sick cat is possible.
Otitis media and internal otitis can give a symptom such as severe pain when opening the mouth.

Treatment of otitis media

You should always remember that at the slightest suspicion of otitis media, the owner must immediately take the pet to a veterinarian, who will correctly diagnose, determine the cause of the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.

It is clear that the owner does not always have the physical opportunity to visit a doctor with a cat. Then he himself identifies otitis in cats based on symptoms and the owner also prescribes treatment. But at the first opportunity it is vital to show the fluffy beauty to a specialist.

Before visiting a doctor, the cat must be provided with primary care. First, you need to inspect the place where the animal is most often located and make sure that it is warm enough and there are no drafts. You can introduce vitamins and minerals into your cat's diet.

Your pet's ears should be put in order: cleaned with special lotions or suspensions, carefully removing dirt from the ear with a cotton swab or a piece of bandage. Under no circumstances should you use ear sticks; they can injure the animal’s delicate ear. After using special preparations, the ear should be wiped with a dry cotton swab or bandage. You can also give your animal pain medication.

The doctor usually prescribes drops that relieve inflammation for a cat with otitis; antibiotics are also almost always used for treatment, the course of treatment of which is at least seven days, even in the absence of pronounced symptoms of the disease.

If the cat has scratched its ears a lot, then you need to lubricate the scratching areas with special healing ointments.

If a cat has clearly expressed purulent otitis media with discharge from the ears, then it is necessary to wash it in a hospital setting; an untrained person cannot handle this type of disease on their own. If the ear canals are deeply clogged with purulent discharge, then the help of a surgeon will be required.

Prevention of otitis

You need to understand that any animal can get otitis media, but humans have access to preventive measures that can significantly reduce the risk of the disease.

The main method of prevention is periodic cleaning of the animal's ears. It is necessary to examine the cat weekly and wipe the ears from dirt and dust.

Deep cleaning using special products that facilitate the removal of excess sulfur should be carried out at least once a month. Then your pet will not experience inflammatory processes that contribute to the development of otitis media.

When bathing your pet, it is important not to allow water or soapy water to get into the ears; you need to be very careful when washing the head and face. It is possible to use a special cap that will protect the cat's sensitive ears. You can use tampons to cover your furry beauty's ears.

After swimming, you need to exclude the possibility of hypothermia. If the cat reacts calmly to the procedure of drying the fur, then you can dry it with a warm hairdryer.

When injuries and scratching of the ears occur, the owner must disinfect the wounds so that inflammation does not develop.

The most important thing when detecting a disease and treating furry pets is timely diagnosis, properly selected treatment, and professional assistance from a veterinarian. Self-medication of otitis media can lead to complete hearing loss in your pet, and in advanced cases, to more severe consequences.