Quick Steps to Treat Cat's Brown Ear Discharge

On a typical note, cats naturally produce a small amount of earwax, which is usually yellow or light brown in color, soft in texture, and doesn't emit a strong odor. However, if you notice a brownish, watery discharge from your cat's ears, it's a sign that something might be amiss, possibly an ear infection. Such infections can be caused by fungi and bacteria, and may also be a secondary effect of ear mites, allergies, or foreign bodies irritating the ear canal.

What should you do if you find your cat's ears leaking a brownish fluid?

Step 1: Assess the Infection

Should the discharge be excessive, it's advisable to take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. The vet will use tools like an otoscope, CT scans, or MRI to determine whether the infection is limited to the outer ear or has progressed to the middle ear, and whether it's affecting the brain's nerves.

For outer ear infections, treatment usually focuses on local medications with oral support, and you can typically expect to see significant improvement within a week.

In cases of middle or inner ear infections, or if the infection has reached the brain, a more specialized and complex treatment plan will be necessary.

Step 2: Clean the Ears

Regardless of the severity of the infection, it's crucial to clean the ear canal promptly to remove inflammatory agents, keep the ear dry, prevent the spread of infection, and monitor the ear's healing process. However, it's important to be gentle when cleaning your cat's ears.

Firstly, when there's a lot of discharge and the ears are moist, use a pair of tweezers to grip a ball of medical cotton. Twist the cotton into a ball shape and dip it into a small amount of petspecific ear cleaning solution. Gently wipe away the ear discharge, being cautious not to apply too much pressure that might irritate the ear canal lining.

Once the ear canal is dry after treatment, you can simply drop a small amount of ear cleaning solution along the ear flap, gently massage the ear to soften any earwax, and then let your cat shake off any excess solution and earwax. Finally, use the tweezers and medical cotton to clean up the remaining debris.

It's also essential to choose the right cleaning solution. Since ear infections can damage and irritate the skin, avoid using harsh cleaners like alcohol. Opt for a milder product, such as Erfenfen (Pet Ear Care Solution), which contains natural extracts like chamomile and calendula, ensuring a gentle and nonirritating experience for your cat's ears.

Step 3: Local Medication

Most types of ear infections can benefit from antiinflammatory treatments. After cleaning the ear, you can apply a small amount of antibiotic ear drops, such as compound chloramphenicol ear drops or Erdieke (Fluoroquinolone Nitrofurantoin Ear Drops), and gently massage the ear to ensure even distribution of the medication.

In cases where the infection is fungal, antifungal medications containing ketoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, or terbinafine can be used.

Step 4: Systemic Treatment

If the ear discharge is abundant, consider supplementing with oral broadspectrum antibiotics, such as Kenjia (Amoxicillin Clavulanate Potassium) or Asud (Cefadroxil Tablets). In severe cases, it's best to conduct a drug sensitivity test first to select the most suitable antibiotic.

For ear infections caused by fungi, oral itraconazole can be administered once daily at a dosage of 5 to 10 mg/kg.

In summary, if you notice a brownish fluid leaking from your cat's ears, it's crucial not to ignore the symptom. For mild cases, you can attempt home cleaning and medication. However, if home remedies don't work or the symptoms are severe, it's essential to seek veterinary care promptly.