Go to a clinic immediately if
- The cat has head tilt, loses balance, has abnormal eye movements, facial droop or severe pain
Possible signs
- Head shaking, ear scratching, dark or purulent discharge, odour, redness or pain
- A persistent one-sided problem, hearing change or pain when opening the mouth can accompany deeper disease
Contact a veterinarian today if
- Seek same-day care if the ear is markedly swollen, produces pus, bleeds or pain prevents the cat from eating
What it is
Causes in cats include ear mites, bacterial or yeast overgrowth, a foreign body, polyp or other disease. Dark discharge alone does not prove mites.
What to expect at the veterinarian
The veterinarian will inspect the canal and eardrum with an otoscope and examine discharge under a microscope. Treatment depends on the cause and eardrum.
Sources
- Guideline or consensus statement. Control of Ectoparasites in Dogs and Cats