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603 results for “ear scratching”
My cat has earwax in its ear canal—is it ear mites?
Large black earwax usually means ear mites; if it's dirty again the next day after cleaning, treat as mites. Mites cause itching, scratching and head shaking, so use an Elizabethan collar. Clean with a special ear cleaner (never cotton swabs in the canal), then apply ear medication; treatment takes 3-4 weeks plus a week after symptoms fade, and regular external parasite control.
My cat scratched its ears raw; inside is smelly, dirty and has pus—ear mites or something else?
Pus, tissue growth and odor with scratching suggest secondary bacterial ear infection, often from mixed bacteria, fungi and ear mites. Clean twice daily with an ear cleaner (not cotton swabs), then apply antibacterial drops like Posatex or Epi-Otic, with a loose collar. If it persists, see a vet to avoid inner-ear damage.
My cat has red, swollen eyes, tearing, eye discharge, corneal swelling, and will not open its eyes
Red, swollen, tearing, closed eyes have many causes, usually irritants or infection (viral, bacterial, or mixed). Bacterial cases use neomycin eye drops; viral use acyclovir drops. Clean with pet eye wash first, use an Elizabethan collar, and if no improvement in 2-3 days see a vet.
I have a cat and a dog; before I left the dog’s eyes were fine, but when I returned they were tearing and a bit swollen; not sure if the cat scratched it
Tearing and swelling likely mean conjunctivitis or keratitis, with light sensitivity, discharge, and redness; causes include foreign objects, entropion, a cat scratch, or rubbing. If appetite and spirits are normal, distemper is unlikely; use pet eye drops 4-6 times daily and a collar, or see a vet.
My kitten’s first vaccine was July 13; the second should be Aug 3-8, but it keeps having runny nose and tears, no improvement off meds, and the vet says wait until well. Now medicated again, delaying vaccines; will this affect it, and must it restart from dose 1? Also the cat has been slightly balding since last week with stuff on its body; the vet says not ringworm, small blisters at ear base/back, not eczema, just observe.
Waiting until well before vaccinating ensures best immune response. If the interval is exceeded, check antibody levels first to decide whether to restart or just catch up—the plan depends on the cat and titers, so discuss with the vet. The ear-base/back blisters may be skin disease; if no improvement, do a skin scraping. Boost immunity and protect the area from scratching.
After shaving last night I found many small gray-brown spots on the skin (over ten), on the back and waist, like scabs stuck on but not crusted, with two slightly red areas. Itchy, with scratching, for four or five days.
From the photo and description, many gray-brown scales and spots likely indicate a mixed fungal and bacterial skin infection. Inflammatory stages show red bumps; healing leaves gray-brown patches like acne marks. A skin exam is advised; keep the coat dry.
My hamster has red discharge at the eye corner, a lot of it; eyes open fine, but the area around the eyes is red and swollen and often watery with pale orange tears
Red, abundant eye discharge with swollen lids in a hamster is likely eye inflammation. Clean with saline-soaked gauze, then apply pet anti-inflammatory eye drops 1 to 2 times daily, prevent scratching, and keep the cage clean with fresh bedding and little dust during treatment.
My nearly three-month-old kitten has ear mites that blocked its ears; I cleaned but could not reach inside, bought ear cleaner and ear-mite medicine, but the kitten cannot shake the debris out, so I cleaned manually — what should I do?
Suspected ear mites with no debris shaken out is normal because a cat's ear canal is L-shaped and holds secretion at the bend; simple cleaning cannot finish it. After the cleaner and medicine arrive, fill the canal, massage the base 5 to 10 seconds so the cat shakes some out, wipe the outer ear, then apply a drop or two of mite medicine for 2 to 4 weeks. Never use cotton swabs inside; use an Elizabethan collar and a monthly selamectin preventive.
Not sure what’s wrong—black stuff comes out of the ear; could it be ear mites?
Black/brown ear buildup likely means ear mites, with scratching and head-shaking. Confirm with a vet ear exam. Clean with a dedicated ear cleaner (don't use cotton swabs deep), then apply ear medication and an e-collar; also use a topical antiparasitic. Treat 3–4 weeks, plus a week after symptoms clear.
How to Clean Your Dog’s Dirty Ears
Uncleaned ears get smelly and invite mites and infection. The L-shape, long hair, and floppy ears trap moisture and wax. Pluck hair with powder, then flush with a pet ear solution, and deworm for mites.