Tumor in a cat’s ear: acne, neoplasms

The cat is a very active pet. He loves to climb trees, jump, get into hard-to-reach places, and even sometimes fight. But such pranks do not always end well; the cat quite often inflicts various injuries on itself.

One of the most common problems affecting our furry friends is ear disease. How to determine the location of an injury or understand the cause of your cat's anxiety? First you need to observe the symptoms.

Symptoms

If your cat has swollen ears, the following symptoms may appear:

elevated temperature;
odor from the ear;
redness or swelling of the skin;
the cat walks with its head tilted, shakes or twitches it, scratches its ears with its paws.

There may be several reasons why a cat's ear is swollen. Let's look at the main ones.

Ticks (otodectosis)

This is one of the common cat diseases. In 80% of cases this is what is diagnosed. The disease is caused by a mite called Otodectes cynotis, which parasitizes your pet's skin in the upper layers of the epidermis.

Ticks can appear when a healthy animal comes into contact with a sick animal, and can also enter the body through fleas or flies. Many may ask: “Why does my furry dog have mites, since we always stay at home?” The answer is simple: the person himself could carry the infection, for example, on shoes or clothes, although this parasite is not dangerous for us!

Mostly kittens up to one year old or adults with weakened immune systems get sick. Moreover, the disease mainly begins in the summer, because ticks love warmth.

Clinical signs and diagnosis

Lymph nodes and lungs need to be carefully examined using X-rays, and 3 projections of the chest should be made to determine the presence or absence of metastases. If possible, CT or MRI should be used as they provide more information. It is also necessary to perform cytology or histology of the lymph node biopsy.

1. When there is a lump on the skin of an animal, the first step is to do a biopsy. This method involves removing a small piece of tissue, which is taken for cell microscopy.

2. X-ray.

3. Ultrasound.

4. Blood and urine for analysis.

These diagnostic tests are basic. But if necessary, they can be supplemented with others.

All studies are needed to determine whether the animal has cancer. If so, what form is it and what stage is it?

Mammary cysts are quite common in cats (pictured below). To the touch it resembles a ball or pea on the surface or in tissues. Such formations have a smooth surface and grow slowly. As a rule, such cysts do not cause pain, and the cat does not show anxiety when palpating them.

Treatment

If a cat's ear is swollen due to ticks, what should I do?

To defeat the disease, you must follow the following stages of treatment:

Treat the ear canal with an antiseptic. Remove all crusts and scabs from the damaged area and treat for pus. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as an antiseptic. Use cotton swabs when cleaning the ear canal.
Use of anti-tick drugs. After treating the animal's ears, you need to massage them thoroughly.
If the disease is advanced, you may need acaricidal injections.
If your pet is very concerned about itching and irritation, then you can use the antibacterial agent Otonazole.
To effectively treat ear mites, you need to take care of strengthening your pet’s immunity. This can be done by adding beneficial minerals and vitamins to your diet.

Otitis (middle ear disease)

If your cat's ear is swollen, otitis may be the cause. It is most often caused by parasitic diseases, allergic manifestations (pollen, dry food, dust), bacterial, viral, fungal infections, and injuries. In addition, it may be poor hygiene of the ear canal.

Factors that provoke otitis media are hypothermia, reduced immunity, moisture getting into the ears, genetics (predisposition in the British and Scottish fold breeds).

Ear diseases in cats

We have already said that ear diseases can have different etiologies. Let's look at the most common pathologies.

Ear mites (otodectosis)

Ear mites are a microscopic reddish-brown parasite that causes great discomfort to the animal. It is localized in the inner ear, where the ideal environment for the parasite to reproduce is warm and moist.

Symptoms

twitching ears;
strong shaking of the head;
the presence of red-brown accumulations in the auricle (similar to ground coffee crumbs);
unpleasant odor from the ears;
copious sulfur discharge;
hearing loss;
sleep disturbance, restlessness;
scratches, scratches, microtraumas of the auricle.

Causes

Cats become infected through contact from sick relatives. But not everyone gets sick, but only those animals with reduced immunity. Droopy ears, fur in the auricle and failure to comply with hygiene rules contribute to the development of pathology.

Treatment

The treatment regimen includes:

ear cleaning;
antiseptic and antihistamines;
insecticidal drops (against ear mites);

Important!
It is necessary for a veterinarian to examine the animal, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment - self-medication can lead to complete hearing loss.

Otitis

This is an inflammatory process in the inner, middle or outer ear. It is often a complication of otodectosis (ear mites). May lead to serious complications:

Symptoms

The symptoms are similar to those of ear mites (redness, increased wax production, itching). In addition, there may be an increase in body temperature and purulent discharge from the ears. However, with otitis media, the cat scratches its ears and shakes its head much less often and less than in the presence of ear parasites.

Causes

parasitic otitis – a complication after otodectosis;
bacterial (purulent) – secondary infection due to injuries, hypothermia and fungal infections.

Treatment

Only a qualified veterinarian should accurately diagnose and treat otitis media, as this is a very serious disease that can lead to serious consequences. Take your pet to the doctor and strictly follow all the doctor's instructions.

The treatment regimen includes:

novocaine blockade;
disinfection of the affected area;
anti-inflammatory drops and ointments;
antibiotics.

Wounds and injuries of the auricle

The outer part of the ear (pinna) is a protruding part that is often injured during cat fights, dog attacks, and falls from heights.

Symptoms

Traumatic lesions are visible to the naked eye.

the ear is bleeding;
the integrity of the skin is compromised;
fur is torn off;
full-thickness rupture of the auricle;
suppuration;
swelling;
abscesses;
redness.

Causes

bites;
bruises;
scratches from claws.

Treatment

The treatment regimen is prescribed by a veterinarian. If the integrity of the ear is compromised, surgery may be required. In other cases, treatment comes down to treating the ears with antiseptics, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and healing agents.

Hematoma (bruise)

This is a type of blood blister that forms between the layers of the ear as a result of a cat scratching its ears.

Symptoms

swelling;
bleeding;
soreness;

Causes

The main cause is a rupture of a blood vessel under the skin. Most often it occurs due to injury to the ear due to a bruise or strong scratching of the ear by a pet.

Treatment

Blood from damaged vessels collects into clots, which are surgically removed by a veterinarian. Conservative treatment with special ointments is also possible, which, after being prescribed by a doctor, are applied for several weeks.

Eczema of the ear

It is often a complication of inflammation of the outer ear.

Symptoms

soreness;
severe itching;
swelling;
skin redness;
liquid dark discharge from the ears with an unpleasant odor;
The cat often holds its head to the side and scratches its ears.

Causes

The cause of the disease can be foreign bodies, water or chemicals.

Treatment

You can help by removing the foreign body, using a syringe and a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide to carefully rinse the accumulated exudate. Constantly wet areas should be lubricated with astringents prescribed by the doctor. For severe itching, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed.

Foreign body

This ear pathology is less common in cats than in dogs. Cats that go outside are at risk.

Symptoms

the animal scratches its ear;
shakes his head.

Causes

A blade of grass, moss, plant seeds or insects can get into the ear.

Treatment

Carefully inspect the outer part of the animal's ear in good lighting; if you see a foreign object, carefully pull it out with your fingers or using tweezers.

Important!
If the foreign body is deep, do not take risks, take the animal to the doctor, where it will be removed without consequences using anesthesia.

Polyps

Benign growths (growths) in the middle ear or eustachian tube. The danger of the pathology is that the eardrum may rupture.

Symptoms

nasal discharge;
loud and labored breathing.

Causes

The root cause of polyps in the ears has not been established. Young animals are at risk.

Treatment

Polyps are removed surgically in a veterinary clinic.

Tumors

Ear malignancies are rare in cats. Complications – deafness, death.

Symptoms

hearing impairment;
ulcerations;
deformation of the ears;
putrid odor;
bleeding

Causes

Older cats are at risk. The root cause of tumor formation is not fully understood.

Treatment

Tumors are removed surgically.

Necrosis of the auricle

This is the death of the tissues of the outer part of the ear due to prolonged circulatory problems.

Symptoms

blackening of the ear;
tissue rotting.

Causes

frostbite;
prolonged compression;
severe injury;
purulent infection of the hematoma.

Treatment

Necrosis cannot be treated - dead ear tissue is not restored. Partial or complete amputation is required.

Solar dermatitis

Inflammation of the ears due to exposure to sunlight (UV) rays. The pathology is most often found in cats with white and light ears, and is common in countries with high levels of solar activity.

Symptoms

scaly skin;
crusts on the ears;
bleeding;
sores.

Causes

The main reason is too much exposure to the sun, sunburn.

Treatment

If left untreated, the pathology can develop into squamous cell skin cancer. Treatment most often involves surgical removal of the ears.

Main symptoms

If a cat's ear is swollen inside or outside, symptoms include:

animal anxiety;
redness and irritation of the skin of the ear;
pain effect;
purulent discharge;
decrease in animal activity;
lack of appetite.

Experts classify inflammation into three types: external, internal and middle ear. If a cat's ear is swollen from the outside (with otitis externa), the affected tissue is on the surface and does not affect the eardrum. Such otitis media can be easily dealt with.

Otitis media is the most common and most often becomes chronic. With this type of disease, inflammation spreads to the eardrum. The most dangerous is inflammation of the inner ear. Not only the eardrum is affected, but also the vestibular apparatus. Inflammation is accompanied by purulent discharge, which can spread to the brain; in addition, this type of disease can lead to deafness of the animal.

Symptoms of otitis media include:

the animal tilts its head;
lopsided muzzle;
problem with swallowing (due to disruption of the facial nerve);
trembling of the eyeball (the disease has spread to the brain).

Diseases of the cat's middle and inner ear.

Because of their very close relationship, diseases of the middle ear (otitis media) often also affect the condition of the inner ear (otitis interna), causing problems with maintaining balance. Affected cats hold their head tilted to one side, may have difficulty walking, and also tend to “walk in circles,” leaning toward the affected ear. In some cats, middle ear disease can spread to the outer ear, and vice versa if the integrity of the eardrum is damaged.

The most common diseases of the cat's middle and inner ear are:

Cat middle ear infection.

Middle ear infections are more common in kittens and usually result from the infection spreading to the eustachian tube (the small tube that connects the nose to the middle ear), or as a complication from an upper respiratory tract infection. In the case of purulent otitis media, if the eardrum is damaged, the infection can also easily spread to the cat's middle and inner ear.

Benign neoplasms - Polyps can develop in the middle ear or eustachian tube of a cat. The formation of polyps is possible in cats of any age, but most often they develop in younger cats. The causes of ear polyps are currently unclear; they can grow in the nasopharynx and/or middle ear of cats. If polyps form in the middle ear, the eardrum may be damaged. Such polyps may be visible in a cat's outer ear.

Middle ear tumors in cats.

Benign and malignant tumors rarely form in a cat's middle ear.

Methods for detecting and treating middle ear tumors in cats depend on the specific situation. Typically, X-rays (or more modern means such as magnetic resonance imaging and computer scanning) are used for diagnosis; as a rule, such examinations require the use of anesthesia. Washing the middle ear and/or obtaining tissue samples from the middle ear (for cytology and culture) can also be used to determine the most appropriate treatment. In some cases, treatment involves surgery, which involves a procedure called a Bull's Osteotomy, in which part of the bony wall of the middle ear is removed to ensure complete removal of the polyp tissue.

The ears of cats and cats are often subject to dangerous diseases. They can cause discomfort and discomfort and cause severe hearing loss. If the animal begins to shake its head and try to scratch its ears, it needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

Treatment of the disease

If a cat's ears are swollen, what should I do? If your pet exhibits the symptoms listed above, you must immediately contact a veterinary service, where you will be prescribed qualified treatment.

Treatment begins with cleaning the ear canal from scabs, dirt, and pus using antiseptic drugs. If the inflammation is purulent, deep surgical cleaning is an option. After cleaning, the ear is treated with special medications. But remember: you cannot choose the drug yourself! You may harm the animal. Your task as the owner throughout the treatment is to provide your pet with a warm room, free from drafts and dampness.

To prevent otitis media, it is recommended not to allow the animal to become hypothermic, not to wet the ears when bathing, and to maintain hygiene of the ear canals.

Hematomas

There may be another reason why a cat's ear is swollen - hematoma. It resembles a swelling, which is provoked by hemorrhage in the area between the cartilage and the skin of the ear.

The formation of a hematoma can be caused by mechanical damage, since the ear skin has a very thin structure, which is equipped with many capillaries. When a vessel is damaged, blood accumulates between the tissues, after which it acquires a bluish tint. Such injuries are most often sustained by cats that have free access to the outdoors. Your active pet can get injured anywhere from a fall from a tree to a fight with a yard dog. Sometimes the cat itself causes damage to blood vessels when scratching its ear.

Lymphoextravasat

Lymphoextravasat is a closed tissue injury accompanied by rupture of lymphatic vessels and accumulation of lymph in the newly formed cavity.
Etiology. Lymphatic extravasation develops when damaged by blunt objects acting on tissue in an oblique direction. They arise from sliding blows from horns, hooves, falls, or from forcible movement of a lying animal by dragging. In horses, lymphatic extravasation often occurs in the area of the lateral slopes of the withers, due to tissue displacement by a saddle or saddle, and in cattle - in the area of the anterior slope of the withers due to compression by the restrictive pipe in front of the feeders.

Classification. With simultaneous damage to blood vessels and blood admixtures in the lymph, hemolymph extravasates develop. Under the influence of mechanical force, separation of tissue layers occurs with simultaneous rupture of lymphatic and small blood vessels. Depending on the depth of tissue damage, lymphatic extravasates can be superficial, subcutaneous, deep, interfascial, intermuscular.

In cattle, lymphatic extravasation most often develops in the groin, thighs, perineum, abdominal and chest walls, and in horses - in the withers and back of the head. Lymphatic extravasates are not formed in pigs.

Clinical signs. Initially, a slight swelling of the tissue occurs in the damaged area with the presence of an abrasion on the skin. After the edema resolves, on the 3rd – 4th day after the injury, a limited fluctuating swelling is detected, when pressure is applied to it, fluid moves from one part to another. The skin in the area of swelling is not tense and therefore it seems that the volume of the cavity is much larger than the liquid contained in it. Over time, the swelling can take on different shapes and sizes, sometimes reaching a volume of up to 10–15 liters. Weak blows to the wall of the lymphatic extravasate cause wave-like movement of the contents (undulation).

In cases of deep lymphatic extravasation, swelling is detected much later than superficial ones. At the same time, it does not have a sharp outline and its outer wall is tense. Unlike hematomas, lymphatic extravasation develops slowly over several days and even weeks after injury. When hemolymphoextravasate is formed, fibrinous crepitus is detected by palpation, the punctate has a red or pink color, while with lymphoextravasate it has the appearance of a yellow opalescent liquid. In most cases, with lymphatic extravasation there is no pain, no increase in local and general body temperature.

Forecast. For small lymphatic extravasations it is usually favorable, for large ones it is cautious (due to poor thrombus formation in the vessels).

Treatment. In order to reduce lymphatic drainage, the animal must be given complete rest, since active movements increase lymph flow by 5 times. Cold and heat are contraindicated, since cold can cause necrosis of exfoliated skin, and thermal procedures significantly increase lymphatic drainage. To reduce lymphatic drainage, moderate pressure bandages with camphor, boric or ichthyol alcohol are used in the first 1–2 days.

Treatment of hematoma

If a cat has a swollen ear, how to treat it? At the initial stage of a hematoma, it is possible to apply cold. Frozen foods from the freezer are perfect for cooling. You can cool the ear for no more than 15 minutes. If the wound is open, do not forget to disinfect it. In case of a bleeding wound, it is necessary to apply a bandage. And a veterinary service specialist will take care of further treatment and diagnostics.

If the cat has a large hematoma and you are afraid of introducing an infection into the wound, then in this case the surgical method is used. The doctor makes an incision in the area of the hematoma, after which the wound is cleaned of darkened blood, and at the end of the operation a suture and bandage are applied. After such an operation, you must ensure that the cat cannot scratch its ear. To do this, you can use a special collar.

To prevent hemorrhage, adhere to the following rules:

try to stay close to the animal while walking;
promptly identify and treat ear diseases;
rid the animal of parasites in a timely manner.

Treatment of cancer in cats

If a cat's ear is swollen due to ticks, what should I do?

To defeat the disease, you must follow the following stages of treatment:

Treat the ear canal with an antiseptic. Remove all crusts and scabs from the damaged area and treat for pus. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as an antiseptic. Use cotton swabs when cleaning the ear canal.
Use of anti-tick drugs. After treating the animal's ears, you need to massage them thoroughly.
If the disease is advanced, you may need acaricidal injections.
If your pet is very concerned about itching and irritation, then you can use the antibacterial agent Otonazole.
To effectively treat ear mites, you need to take care of strengthening your pet’s immunity. This can be done by adding beneficial minerals and vitamins to your diet.

If a cat's ears are swollen, what should I do? If your pet exhibits the symptoms listed above, you must immediately contact a veterinary service, where you will be prescribed qualified treatment.

To prevent otitis media, it is recommended not to allow the animal to become hypothermic, not to wet the ears when bathing, and to maintain hygiene of the ear canals.

If a cat has a swollen ear, how to treat it? At the initial stage of a hematoma, it is possible to apply cold. Frozen foods from the freezer are perfect for cooling. You can cool the ear for no more than 15 minutes. If the wound is open, do not forget to disinfect it. In case of a bleeding wound, it is necessary to apply a bandage. And a veterinary service specialist will take care of further treatment and diagnostics.

To prevent hemorrhage, adhere to the following rules:

try to stay close to the animal while walking;
promptly identify and treat ear diseases;
rid the animal of parasites in a timely manner.

In order not to harm your pet, the best help is to go to the doctor, but if you need to do this urgently, and the cat has a normal temperature and the injury is small, then try to help your cat yourself. What do we have to do:

Shave the area around the abscess.
Wash and disinfect your hands.
Squeeze out the pus using sterile wipes.
Clean the affected area of pus using a sterile cotton swab.
Treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide.
Cover the wound with streptocide.

Therapy begins only after the animal is diagnosed. A correct diagnosis improves the effectiveness of therapy. Independent attempts to get rid of diseases can only worsen the condition and cause an exacerbation of the disease.

It is strictly forbidden to clean cats' ears using hygiene sticks. Discharge and dirt can only be removed with cotton pads. If the doctor insists on surgical treatment, there is no need to refuse. It may be the only effective method of getting rid of pathology.

Operations are more often planned. At the Antistress clinic and the SQ-lap veterinary hospital, they are carried out after a preoperative examination of the animal, which includes an ECG, General and Biochemical Blood Analysis, and an 8-hour diet is required. Before the operation, the doctor and the owner draw up a document on informed consent for the operation, after all the risks of these activities are explained to the owner.

Skin cancer

Since squamous cell carcinoma does not spread widely on the skin, the prognosis is favorable if the resection boundaries are correctly drawn. For example, if a tumor is located in the ear, the entire auricle is removed; this will not only protect the animal from recurrence, but will also make its appearance aesthetic.

Surgical removal works very well in the initial stages of the disease, and also if the tumor is localized to the animal's fingers or ears. If regional lymph nodes and other organs are affected, only chemotherapy is possible.

Localization of the tumor at the tip of the nose can also become a problem. In this case, radical resection is often resorted to, in which the nose is removed along with the pterygoid cartilages down to the base of the upper jaw. The area is then reconstructed by moving skin flaps from adjacent areas.

Systemic chemotherapy is ineffective for squamous cell carcinoma, since it affects the epidermis - the upper layers of the skin, which are relatively poorly supplied with blood. Thus, the internal organs will bear the brunt of chemotherapy, and the cancer cells on the surface of the skin will be practically unaffected. Therefore, systemic chemotherapy is used only in the presence of metastases.

Oral cancer

Surgical treatment is preferable in most cases. However, squamous cell carcinoma can affect the bone tissue located under the mucosa. When the tumor is localized in the upper jaw, it spreads to the palate and nasal sinuses; when located under the tongue, it spreads to the lower jaw.

Squamous cell carcinoma has shown low sensitivity to radiation; moreover, when it spreads into the deeper layers of the mucous membrane (which is often observed), relapses of the disease can occur.

Treatment for cancer in cats depends on the location of the cancer and the stage of the disease.

Common treatment methods include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and various combinations of these methods.

Many cat owners, after diagnosis, refuse to treat their animal, resorting only to palliative care.

In all cases, no matter what decision you make after diagnosis, always consult with your veterinarian, because it is very important to provide your animal with quality care and the most comfortable life possible.

And even if your beloved cat’s illness is incurable, you must remember that in the most hopeless cases, love, faith, care work real miracles, the most important thing is to never despair!

Other types of benign tumors are also mostly removed surgically. Treatment of a cancerous tumor in a cat's ear may require complete or partial removal of the pinna. In some cases, removal of the ear canal is necessary.

If the tumor has managed to metastasize, the veterinarian may prescribe chemotherapy.

Abscess

When tissue is damaged, a purulent-inflammatory process called an abscess may begin.

An abscess in an animal can occur as a result of injury, damage to the skin with infection.

One of the factors that provokes a purulent abscess is the animal’s reduced immunity, age and concomitant diseases. The consequences of an abscess can be serious; the purulent mass can penetrate deep-lying tissues and cause serious harm to the body.

Symptoms of an abscess include:

decreased appetite, lethargy of the animal;
the cat constantly drinks water;
the abscess area has swelling, redness, and heat.

When to contact a veterinarian

Cat owners need to be very careful and monitor the slightest changes in the behavior and health of the animal. The following signs should alert you:

itching that causes your pet to scratch its ear;
lethargy and weakness;
increased body temperature;
presence of a wound or other change in the ear;
the appearance of any suspicious discharge from the ear.

You should contact the clinic even if even the smallest foreign body gets into your ear. Remaining in it, it can cause infection and a pronounced purulent abscess.

Abscess treatment

Shave the area around the abscess.
Wash and disinfect your hands.
Squeeze out the pus using sterile wipes.
Clean the affected area of pus using a sterile cotton swab.
Treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide.
Cover the wound with streptocide.