Is a cat's red ears a sign of illness or a natural condition?

Overview of Possible Causes

It can take a very long time to independently look for the cause of the redness of a cat’s ears, and uncontrolled use of drugs can also harm the pet. This is especially true for adults, in whom, after the age of 10 years, the risk of tumors in the ear canal increases. There are many cases where a diagnosis made “by eye” resulted in long-term treatment for otitis media or ear mites, but in fact the reason lay in a formation that may be located deep inside the ear and cannot be seen without otoscopy. Based on this, we recommend that you familiarize yourself in advance with the possible causes of this symptom:

1. 
   If your cat's ears are red inside, then first of all it is necessary to exclude the possibility of an allergy. It can be triggered by poor diet, insect bites and contact with a potential allergen (less often). In terms of frequency of occurrence, food allergies, which are typical for decorative breeds, are in first place. Along with redness, discharge from the ears (in the form of brown or black mud), an unpleasant odor and severe itching often appear. In some cases, you can notice how the pet literally tears the ear area until it bleeds. Shaking the head more than once during the day can also be considered a characteristic sign. Flea dermatitis and ear mites, along with all the above symptoms, are also characterized by the appearance of flaking and black dandruff in the coat. The reaction can be triggered by just one flea. Getting her saliva on the skin is enough. Atopic dermatitis is considered an incurable but manageable disease. With a well-chosen treatment regimen, stable remission can be achieved. If an animal is allergic to flowering plants or fluff, seasonal exacerbations may occur. Treatment of all types of allergies begins with searching for and eliminating the potential allergen (treating for fleas and ticks, switching to hypoallergenic food, or removing plants from the house that may be poisonous to the pet). In difficult cases, a biochemical blood test may be necessary. You need to understand that most substances (dust, mold, hair from carpets, blankets or other animals) are almost impossible to eliminate from everyday life, so allergic cats will need lifelong maintenance therapy and antihistamines during periods of exacerbation.

2. 
   Otodectosis. A familiar problem to many cat owners who go outside for walks. The tick is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal or through grooming items (collar, leash, clothing, comb, etc.). In the external environment, the parasite can survive up to 2 weeks. It always manifests itself acutely - red ears inside, brown discharge and peeling. At the same time, the pet regularly scratches the area of ​​the temples and behind the ears, which is why large wounds can appear in these places. Because of this, otodectosis can be complicated by a bacterial infection. For diagnosis, you will need pieces of the epithelium of the ear canal and secretions, which are sent for microscopic examination. Under a microscope you can see the otodex mite, which is the cause of all the troubles. The universal preparations Stronghold (in the form of drops on the withers) and Frontline (instilled into the ear canal) are used as treatment. In most cases, two treatments 3 weeks apart are enough to get rid of the problem. Be sure to treat all animals that live with the infected cat, as even after complete recovery, a relapse is possible.

3. 
   Otitis. A common disease in cats of all breeds and all ages. In most cases it acts as a complication of the underlying pathology. The appearance of otitis media can be caused by an allergy, a formation in the ear canal, or a bacterial or fungal infection. Ear mites and fleas are the most common causes of otitis externa. This can cause red ears inside and foul-smelling discharge. To determine the cause of otitis, you will need discharge and deep pinches, which are sent for cytological and microscopic examination. In difficult cases, an otoscopy may be necessary to determine the likelihood of damage to the eardrum. To clean the ears, use special lotions (Otifri, Hartz), which are poured inside. Immediately after this, massage the area behind the ears and allow the animal to shake out the contents. When cleaning, it is not recommended to use sticks or other objects of a similar nature, which can create an ear plug.

Reactions to parasites

Not a single cat that roams freely on the street is immune from fleas and ticks. Red spots on a cat's ear may be a reaction to flea saliva. This allergy is quite common and causes serious discomfort for your pet. Here are its main symptoms:

• redness of the epidermis;
• small nodular rash;
• receding hairline;
• swelling of the skin.

Due to itching, the animal constantly scratches the irritated area, which leads to the formation of bald patches, and then wounds with crusts.

The same symptoms, but inside the ear, are the result of irritation in response to waste products of a microscopic mite.

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Possible diseases

Common causes of red ears in cats:

• An allergic reaction may well cause your cat to become ill. Moreover, such an allergy occurs both to food, and to changes in the environment, to a medical drug. If the owner gave something unusual to his animal, then because of this the cat’s ears could turn red. Associated symptoms: difficulty breathing, discharge from the cat's nose (runny nose), the cat itches, peeling skin on the paws. Allergies in cats are treated with antihistamines prescribed by a veterinarian.
• Foreign object in the animal's ear. It happens that stones and grass could get into the ear canal, which irritate the ear from the inside. If a foreign body is visible from your cat's ear, you can try to remove it yourself.
• Injury. A cat's ears that are red on the outside may indicate mechanical damage. The cat could play or fight with other animals, tear its ear with its claws. Such a hematoma can also occur due to infection or insect bites. The best treatment is to apply a bandage to prevent the animal from aggravating the situation and causing further damage to itself.
• Scabies, which is caused by ear mites, also causes a foul odor from the ear and a brownish discharge.
• Otitis media is the most common reason why a cat has red ears. The disease affects not only the external auditory canal, but also the inner ear. The causes of the disease include ear mites, bacterial and fungal infections. The behavior of a cat with otitis media becomes restless: the cat rubs the sore ear and meows heavily in pain. To avoid otitis, the owner should monitor the hygiene of the pet’s ears: remove wax and wipe them. To treat this disease, a solution of boric alcohol and antibiotics are usually prescribed.
• Sunburns. In summer, a cat's ears are susceptible to sunburn and, as a result, dermatitis. At first, this disease is characterized by slight redness, and then the hair falls off the ear or bleeding begins. Solar dermatitis has a dangerous complication - squamous cell carcinoma, which occurs due to a cat's long exposure to direct sunlight.
• Lichen. At the initial stage of this disease, slight redness of the ear appears. Later the hair begins to fall out. It is better to treat this disease at the initial stage, before it begins to progress and the cat becomes completely bald. The microsporia test is carried out in a veterinary clinic.

A cat's red ears are not the only symptom of the disease. As a rule, the animal combs the diseased organ and rubs it, and does not allow the owner to even touch the ears. The cat is eating less than usual and is showing aggression. You can also notice something is wrong by the discharge, which emits an untidy odor from the ear canal. In some cases, the cat's temperature rises.

What causes allergies?

Allergy is an immunopathological process. The reaction appears due to the release of specific neurotransmitters in the area of ​​contact with the stimulus. The cat's epidermis may react with redness and irritation in response to the following:

• mold;
• household chemicals;
• cat washing products;
• drugs;
• waste products of parasites.

These types of intolerance are manifested by a complex of symptoms, the main of which is redness and swelling of the epidermis. It is quite simple to identify the irritant in these cases, and eliminating its effect quickly reduces symptoms.

The situation is more complicated with food allergies in cats. They can manifest themselves as changes in the epidermis, as well as general symptoms - lacrimation, sneezing, indigestion. If you suspect a food intolerance, you cannot do without the help of a doctor, since it is very difficult to identify the allergen on your own.

Red spots on the ears, and sometimes completely red (sometimes even hot) ears indicate that the cat is suffering from an allergic reaction for some reason. This could be the environment, new food, medication, or flea saliva. To understand the cause of redness, you need to consult a specialist.

The cat has red ears photo

Otitis

Otitis is an inflammation of the ear in a cat. The disease spreads to all parts of the ear, including the inner ear. Possible causes range from allergies to ear mites and fungal infections. If the cat's ear is red inside and has an unpleasant odor, scratches are visible on the outside, and the cat itself is not behaving as usual, then most likely he has otitis media. The veterinarian will prescribe the necessary medications, and after treatment, the owner will need to keep his pet’s ears clean and regularly wipe them to remove excess earwax. This procedure is also useful for healthy cats, as it is a good prevention of inflammation.

Anatomy of the ears of cats and cats

The ear is the organ of hearing and balance. It consists of outer, middle and inner.

The outer ear includes the pinna (the visible part of cartilage covered by skin, fur, or hair) and the ear canal. The ear canals of cats and kittens are deeper and more conical than those of humans. This deeper canal is prone to the accumulation of dirt and wax, leading to inflammation and secondary infections.

Cats' hearing is many times more sensitive than humans'.

The middle consists of the eardrum and an air-filled chamber that contains 3 tiny bones, 2 muscles, the oval window and the eustachian tube.

The inner ear is a complex structure that includes the cochlea (the organ of hearing) and the vestibular system (the organ of balance).

Anatomy of a cat's ear

Solar dermatitis

As stated earlier, a cat's ear is very sensitive, making it susceptible to sunburn. First of all, this applies to white cats, however, other breeds are not protected from this disease. Dermatitis initially manifests itself through mild redness and some balding of the ear, but may later be accompanied by itching, bleeding, scratching and other symptoms. If measures against solar dermatitis are not taken in time, they can cause another, more serious disease – squamous cell carcinoma.

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The main symptoms of all ear diseases

If the ear is sore, the animal will show discomfort by scratching or pawing at it, shaking or tilting its head towards the painful area.

Other manifestations of ear disease in cats:

• black or yellowish discharge;
• redness or swelling of the ear or ear canal;
• waxing on or near the ear canal;
• bubbles;
• strong smell;
• hearing loss;
• loss of balance or disorientation.

Ear hematoma

The cat's ear may turn red as a result of the appearance of a so-called auditory hematoma. These problems are very painful for cats and therefore require immediate specialist intervention. Such bruises may appear for the following reasons:

:

• Ear injury, possibly while playing or due to a bad landing. Vessel rupture can also occur when an animal scratches or shakes its head very hard;
• Infections, allergies, ear mites - everything that provokes violent damage to the organ.

Diagnostics

To begin, your veterinarian will examine the outer ears, noting any signs of inflammation, injury, swelling, discharge, or excessive wax. Then he will use an otoscope to check whether the passage and eardrums are clogged. If an infection is suspected, tests will be performed on samples of fluids or discharge from the ear.

Important! In complex cases, neurological and electronic tests, x-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be required.

How to rid your pet of the problem?

To relieve redness, you must first determine its cause. If this is an allergy, then antihistamines for cats - Suprastin, Demidrol, Pipolfen - will come to the rescue. If your cat has scabies, use an ointment made from tar and petroleum jelly.

If a cat has red ears inside, then this cannot be normal. The reason for this was one of the diseases described above. It is better to seek help from specialists who will suggest the correct treatment. But if this is not possible, you can try to determine the cause of the disease yourself and try to help the animal.

The main thing is not to harm and not to give the cat drugs that can aggravate the situation. The best treatment is prevention. Cat owners should monitor the hygiene of their pets and regularly clean their ear canals. Then such an insidious symptom as redness of the cat’s ears will bypass her.

Ear diseases and home treatment methods

Some problems can be dealt with at home by first consulting a veterinarian.

Ear fungus

If the infection is localized to the skin, medicated shampoos are prescribed to soothe the skin and eliminate odors. Antifungal medications are also prescribed to reduce the amount of fungus and bacteria. Medicinal ointment with insecticides is effective.

The fungus affects not only the inner, but also the outer part of the ear

In severe cases, the doctor will prescribe steroid injections, depending on the cat's condition.

Necrosis of the auricle

The lesions are characterized by thick crusts and plaques that can collapse or form again. Secondary bacterial and fungal infections aggravate the condition. In some cases, it goes away spontaneously, but only after 12–24 months. Therapy with topical tacrolimus or oral cyclosporine at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day is effective.

Dermatitis and eczema

In some cats, the inner, hairless part of the ear becomes inflamed and irritated after using certain ointments or medications. This inflammation, called contact dermatitis, can develop 1 to 7 days after the reaction begins. The skin of the abalone becomes red and swollen, and crusts or ulcers appear.

Cool baths, medicated shampoos and conditioners, and calming sprays can help your pet. Mild allergies are treated with antihistamines or omega-3 fatty acids.

Hematomas and abscesses

You need to carefully cut off as much hair as possible from the painful area in order to better see the size of the wound. Then clean and apply hydrogen peroxide to the wound to disinfect.

Important! Do not use alcohol or antibiotic ointments for an abscess. The alcohol burns, but she will lick the ointment.

Scabies mite (otodectosis)

With this disease, the cat's ears become wet. Signs of ear mites include excessive skin scratching, head shaking, a strong odor, and dark discharge. Before using the medicine, you need to rinse and clear the black waxy deposits and dirt from the ear canal. Drug treatment usually uses topical drops containing a pyrethrin insecticide.

Eczema

In eczema, red spots on a cat's ear are caused by water, a chemical, or a foreign object getting into the ear. Provocateurs are also:

• External irritants (chafing collar, contact with rough fabric, etc.);
• Allergic reactions of the immune system to individually intolerable components (for example, food);
• Fungi, bacteria, as well as fleas and other parasites;
• Irritating substances (shampoos, dyes, household chemicals, etc.);
• Seborrhea (dandruff);
• Chronic stress;
• Diseases of internal systems and organs (gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, etc.);
• Hormonal disorders;

Eczema can be dry or weepy.

The first form is characterized by the absence of infection in the affected areas. The surface epithelium undergoes keratinization and becomes covered with dry scales and tubercles.

The second type is caused by fungi, viruses and bacteria of a pyogenic nature entering the body. With weeping eczema, the blistering rashes open on their own, and the tissues adjacent to the affected areas soften and constantly secrete exudate. Eczema becomes chronic 3-6 weeks after the onset of its development. It is characterized by absolute dryness of the skin and atrophy of the hair follicles.

Preventive measures

The best way to prevent a painful ear infection is to have your pet checked and examined regularly.

Tips for a cat owner:

1. Minimize the amount of time your cat (especially if she is white or lightly pigmented) is exposed to direct sunlight, for example by sitting in a window.
2. Keeping the area clean will help prevent the spread of ear mites and other potentially infectious agents.
3. Check your pet regularly for infections, swelling, and discharge.
4. Consult a veterinarian when the first symptoms of the disease appear.

Fortunately, ear diseases in cats are easy to treat with proper diagnosis and prompt treatment. It’s worth asking your veterinarian to show you exactly how to check and clean your four-legged friend’s ears. Healthy ears are pale pink, with no visible debris or odor, with minimal or no ear wax. Keeping your skin dry will help prevent infections.

In what cases should you contact a veterinarian?

You should sound the alarm if your pet has a warm, dry nose along with hot ears. Be sure to measure your pet's temperature. An increase sometimes indicates that the cat has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, inflammation or infection in the body. A cat's ears may be hot after sterilization or cesarean section. She may be lethargic for a couple of days. Don't worry.

If after giving birth the cat is lethargic for more than two days, and her ears are not cold and her nose is dry, immediately measure her temperature. If it is high, contact your veterinarian.

After castration, the cat's ears may also be hot. In general, they tolerate this procedure without complications. Despite this, the pet needs care in the first days until it recovers from anesthesia. A normal temperature is indicated by a wet nose and a warm head.

Ear diseases can also affect your overall temperature. If a cat is bothered by ear diseases, it often tilts its head to the side, presses its ears, and does not allow the owner to touch them. If the disease is advanced, the cat may become aggressive, irritable, eat poorly, and not make contact. You should immediately contact your veterinarian if your pet has the following symptoms:

• the cat constantly shakes its head, as if water had gotten into it;
• when pressing on the shell, a squelching sound is heard from the ear canal;
• the ears smell bad;
• the inside of the ear is irritated, red, and has a rash on it;
• the inner surface is dirty, the serous discharge has changed color;
• there is restless scratching of the ears. The animal constantly scratches them with its paws and tries to rub them on the sofa or floor.

All these symptoms indicate that the cat has ear diseases. To find out the cause, you need to contact your veterinarian. He will accurately determine the disease, prescribe the correct treatment and tell the owners what to do.

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Inflammatory process

Cats can get a bacterial or viral infection. Cat's reaction to infection:

1. apathy, reluctance to play favorite games;
2. hunger strike;
3. hot ears and hot dry nose;
4. hair loss, resulting in the formation of bald spots;
5. general body temperature is high;
6. bleeding when visiting the toilet;
7. difficulty urinating, warning about visiting the toilet with a loud cry.

In such a situation, you need to speed up your visit to the doctor, and to alleviate the condition, wrap the cat in a damp towel or apply ice wrapped in a napkin to his body. Rubbing the paw pads with nine percent table vinegar diluted with water in a ratio of one to two will also be effective. Remember!

It is unacceptable to give antipyretics on your own. Ignorance can only make the situation worse.

Be sure to make sure your cat drinks as much water as possible. If he refuses, force feed him with a pipette or syringe. In such a situation, veterinarians advise adding echinacea tincture to the water at the rate of one drop per kilogram of the animal’s weight.