Cats' Middle Ear Inflammation: Effective Medications Ex

Cat Owners, if you notice that your feline friend is suffering from red, swollen, painful, itchy ears, excessive discharge, or an unpleasant odor, it's time to take notice. Your cat might be dealing with otitis media, or middle ear infection. But how do you treat it, and what medications are most effective? Don't worry, today we're here to shed some light on this topic!

What is Feline Otitis Media?

Otitis media refers to inflammation in the middle ear area, often caused by bacterial or fungal infections, ear mites, or allergic reactions.

The symptoms of feline otitis media include:

Eardrum Pain: Cats may frequently shake their heads, scratch at their ears, and resist any ear touching.

Ear Discharge: The discharge is usually a watery liquid or a yellow or green puslike substance with an unpleasant smell.

Decreased Hearing: Cats may react slowly to sounds, tilt their heads towards the affected side, and have a decreased sense of balance.

Systemic Symptoms: Cats may exhibit fever, loss of appetite, and a general lack of energy.

Left untreated, otitis media can lead to perforated eardrums, inner ear infections, and even affect a cat's balance and hearing.

Diagnosis Methods

To confirm whether your cat has otitis media, a combination of clinical examination, ear canal examination, and necessary laboratory tests (such as cytological examination of ear discharge) is typically required. It's also crucial to inspect the integrity of the eardrum, looking for bulges, plaques, color changes, or thickening of the bony wall, as these findings are vital for developing an effective treatment plan.

Choosing Treatment Medications

Treatment for feline otitis media involves selecting the appropriate antibiotics based on bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, along with antiinflammatory and painrelieving medications. If fungal infection is present, antifungal drugs containing ketoconazole, miconazole, or clotrimazole may also be necessary.

Here are some medications that can be safely tried:

Ear Cleanse Solution (Pet Ear Cleaning Solution): This is used to clean ear discharge. If the ear canal is relatively dry, you can simply drop the solution into the ear and gently massage for 12 minutes to allow the cat to shake out the earwax. Then, use a medical cotton ball to wipe it clean. If the ear is moist, use a medical cotton ball dipped in a small amount of ear cleaning solution to carefully clean the ear canal.

Ear Drop Solution (Fluoroquinolone Metronidazole Ear Drops): Containing dualacting antibacterial ingredients, these are suitable for ear canal inflammation caused by Grampositive and Gramnegative bacteria. The application method is the same as that for ear cleaning solution.

Clavamox (Amoxicillin Clavulanate Potassium) or Augmentin (Cephalexin Hydrochloride Tablets): Both are broadspectrum antibiotics with good杀菌 activity against Grampositive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. They are taken orally once daily.

In addition to proper medication, daily care is essential. Keep your cat's ears dry and clean, regularly check their ear health, and you can effectively prevent the occurrence of otitis media. Moreover, if you notice your cat scratching or shaking its head, consider using an Elizabethan collar consistently to prevent secondary injury and infection to the ear canal.