For certain reasons, domestic cats may develop an inflammatory process in the hearing organs. This disease is not always perceived by the owners as something dangerous, but in vain!

Otitis in cats causes severe pain that significantly worsens the life of a pet. If untreated, the disease progresses to chronic form and is often accompanied by relapses.

Ear inflammation in cats dangerous state leading to serious complications. The animal can not only lose its hearing, but also die, which is associated with the risks of the transition of this disease to meningitis and sepsis.

Today we will discuss the symptoms and treatment of otitis in cats, find out the causes that cause inflammation in the hearing organs and what preventive measures will reduce the likelihood of developing ear disease in domestic cats.

Medical treatment

In representatives of the cat family auditory organs have an identical structure to human ears. They consist of three sections: internal, external and middle. Inflammation can be localized in a certain part of the ear. The severity of the process and methods of treatment depend on the location of the focus.

Medical therapy includes:

1. Regular ear cleaning disinfectants from various contaminants, putrefactive crusts, exudate, etc. In severe otitis media, these manipulations are carried out by experienced doctors in outpatient settings using surgical methods cleaning.
2. Ear treatment medicines prescribed by a veterinarian.
3. It is necessary to drip the ears with anti-inflammatory drops.
4. In the presence of strong pain syndromes the doctor prescribes painkillers for injection.
5. At purulent otitis media held antibiotic therapy. Drugs for treatment and dosage are determined by the attending veterinarian on an individual basis.
6. At fungal infection ears are assigned antifungals for outdoor use.
7. Immunotherapy.

When treating otitis media in cats at home, it is important to provide the patient with suitable conditions conducive to a speedy recovery.

The pet's diet should be dominated by easily digestible meals and fortified foods that strengthen general state and immunity. Should not be allowed stressful situations for an animal. It is also important to exclude hypothermia and exposure to drafts.

Therapeutic therapy is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process in the ear of the animal and suppressing harmful microorganisms, during the reproduction of which some complications are noted.

In the treatment of mild otitis media, various disinfectant solutions for cleaning and treating the ears. This needs to be done repeatedly. The veterinarian will accurately indicate the number of procedures per day.

If the inflammatory process has switched to middle department hearing organs, drugs are added to the treatment course antibacterial action, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkiller injections.

To eliminate otitis media of a complex form, a complex therapeutic treatment and surgical cleaning of diseased ears from pathological discharge. At this stage of the disease, it is important to alleviate the condition of the animal as soon as possible and prevent its premature death, which can happen as a result of developing complications.

Medicines used to treat otitis media in pets

Comprehensive treatment of otitis in a cat, carried out under the supervision of an experienced veterinarian, will quickly eliminate such unpleasant disease and eliminate the risk of complications.

Types of feline otitis media

Otitis in cats is divided into three main types, depending on the location of the inflammatory process:

1. The lightest - the outer form, affects superficial departments organ, does not extend to the eardrum. It responds quickly to treatment.
2. A common form of the disease is the middle one, affecting the deeper parts of the ear, including the eardrum. Such otitis media can become chronic. With timely treatment, the prognosis for the animal is favorable.
3. Inflammation of the inner ear is a severe disease that affects the eardrum and vestibular apparatus. For this form, it is relevant suppurative lesion. In the absence of treatment, there high risks complications: hearing loss, development of meningitis and sepsis.

With the defeat of one organ of hearing, unilateral otitis media is diagnosed. If the inflammatory process develops in two ears, a bilateral form of the disease is established.

According to the nature of the course, otitis media is divided into an acute form, accompanied by very pronounced symptoms, and chronic, occurring with alternating remission and exacerbations.

Purulent otitis media

With complications of an acute inflammatory process, purulent otitis media develops in a cat, which is a direct reaction of the body to foreign cells. At the initial stages, the pathology is localized on the outer part of the ear and is accompanied by severe itching, forcing the animal to comb sore ear till blood.

IN open wounds pathogenic microorganisms penetrate, resulting in the development of purulent process, in which there is a transition of inflammation to the middle parts of the ear. As a result of the accumulation of purulent masses inside the organ, the tympanic membrane is deformed, which leads to hearing loss.

In the most severe cases, which is usually observed in the absence timely treatment, the inflammatory process penetrates into the deep parts of the body. With such a complication, the condition of the cat is seriously deteriorating, paralysis, loss of coordination of movements and other pathological signs are observed.

The last stage of purulent otitis media is the transition of inflammation to the bones of the skull and the brain, as a result of which irreversible neurological disorders occur, which often leads to the death of the animal.

Fungal otitis media

Otomycosis or fungal otitis in furry family members can be an independent or secondary disease. The launched inflammatory process critically weakens protective properties epidermis, as a result of which the fungus activates an infectious lesion of the ear.

With such otitis, the cat is worried severe itching in the ears. The wearer may notice excessive wax production and redness of the ear canals.

At the progressive stage of fungal otitis, swelling of the ears, purulent discharge and unpleasant putrid smell. For elimination pathological signs ears are regularly treated with effective means on the recommendation of a doctor.

Symptoms of otitis media

The severity of symptoms depends on the stage of the disease and the area of ​​the ear affected. It is possible to determine the developing inflammation in the organs of hearing with the naked eye, according to the characteristic this disease clinical signs.

Otitis in a cat has symptoms of a specific nature:

• the cat often shakes its head and tries to scratch its ear;
• in the area of ​​​​the ear canal, irritation and redness of the skin are observed;
• ear pain causing cardinal changes in the behavior of the animal;
• loss of appetite;
• the cat meows loudly, does not allow the owner to touch the ears;
• atypical discharge appears in the auditory canals;
• with a purulent and fungal infection, a rather unpleasant odor emanates from the ears;
• high body temperature;
• "squishing" in the ears of accumulated purulent masses;
• the cat loses activity, becomes irritable and whiny.

In an animal with otitis media, symptoms are quickly determined developing inflammation in the ears. At the progressive stage, signs of already formed complications are observed. The kitten may develop pathology of the facial nerve, nystagmus, blepharospasm, problems with swallowing and others. backfire advanced otitis.

It's hard to ignore these severe symptoms otitis media in cats. Do not delay treatment, show your pet to an experienced doctor! Timely therapy will not only free the poor animal from painful suffering, but will also eliminate the risks of complications, including premature death of the pet.

Causes of inflammation in the ears

The spectrum of causes provoking the inflammatory process in the hearing organs domestic cat, big enough. The most common provocateurs of otitis in animals:

The disease may be hereditary. At risk lop-eared cats Scottish and british breed, which is related to the genetic characteristics of the organism.

Diagnosis of otitis media in cats

Otitis media can also be diagnosed clinical manifestations but to install accurate diagnosis veterinarian in without fail will conduct a diagnostic examination of the auditory canals and prescribe some research methods. Based on the results, the severity and location of the inflammatory process in the pet's ears will be determined.

If otitis media is suspected on an outpatient basis veterinary clinic diagnostics is carried out by the following methods:

• biochemical analysis of the cat's blood;
• laboratory study of discharge from the ears of a sick animal;
• endoscopic examination of the inner ear (performed under anesthesia).

Based on the information received, the veterinarian will develop a scheme treatment course. The effectiveness of therapy and the speed of recovery depends on various factors: the individuality of the animal's body, the correct observance medical appointments and the severity of the disease.

Otitis media is a painful inflammation in the ears of a kitten. It is unacceptable to ignore it, allowing your defenseless animal to experience unbearable pain and fear for his life. If you really love your domestic cat, don't hesitate to visit the veterinarian, contact the clinic at the first signs of illness!

Prevention

Prevention of otitis in domestic cats does not involve complex manipulations. To reduce the likelihood of developing an inflammatory process in the ears of a pet, you must:

• regularly clean the auditory canals from sulfur and other contaminants;

In the case when a domestic cat develops inflammatory processes in the middle or outer ear, this indicates the development of otitis media. This disease is caused various reasons. Sometimes inflammation occurs when the ear canal gets foreign objects or it contains a microscopic size that causes severe itching and irritation.

Middle or outer bacterial otitis media causes discomfort in cats pain. In the presence of a disease, a domestic cat holds its head a little to one side, since every movement and even rotation of the body causes unbearable pain in it. TO external manifestations otitis should be attributed high temperature body, copious discharge from the auditory canal, redness outside ear, bad breath cat.

Often there are changes in the mood of the pet. In general, the manifestations of otitis media are difficult not to notice even the most careless cat owner. The pet, previously calm and completely satisfied with life, begins to behave in an unexpected way: it combs its ears with particular fury, shakes its head, and the head is tilted in the direction where inflammatory processes develop. A cat with otitis becomes lethargic and apathetic in relation to the events taking place around, does not meet its owner joyfully, does not show a cheerful disposition when communicating with him. The cat does not allow touching its ears, snorts and bites fiercely in response to any manifestations of care and affection.

Symptoms of the disease

Photo 2 - Otitis in a cat

The characteristic symptoms of otitis media are sudden loss appetite, and often complete indifference to any food. If the disease is not detected in time, inflammatory processes also affect the brain, which leads to the inevitable death of the pet. On the late stage disease in a domestic cat begins to hang sore ear and puckered lips. These symptoms indicate the occurrence of paralysis of the facial nerve. TO possible complications diseases include perforation of the eardrum as a result of the formation of ruptures there and hearing loss in a beloved cat.

The diagnosis of otitis media is based on the results of laboratory research, studying the anamnesis, that is, after receiving information about the presence of certain diseases in the animal, which could cause the development of inflammation in the auditory canal. The development of this disease is preceded by furunculosis, fungal diseases skin, or The cause of otitis media is pharyngitis or, mechanical damage ear canal, which are caused by the ingress of insects, foreign objects into it, the formation of sulfuric plugs.

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Treatment of otitis in cats at home

Treatment of otitis should begin with the removal of hair, which is located on inside ear. Purulent discharge and the sulfur formed inside should be carefully removed using dipped in boric acid or a solution of furacilin with cotton pads. Then you will need to wipe off the remaining moisture with gauze and wait for the ear to dry completely. Mild cases of otitis externa are successfully treated with special drops, medicinal ointments prescribed by a veterinarian. Advanced cases can be cured using antiseptic drugs. In this case, antibiotics or sulfonamides are prescribed.

In the treatment of feline otitis media, the following have proven themselves medical preparations: "Dexamethasone", "Sofradex", "Trypsin", "Ciprinol", "Protargol". Sometimes the pain symptoms in a pet are so strong that it is necessary to carry out a novocaine blockade in order to return the cat to normal health. Home pet needs to get vitamin preparations and easily digestible food. They will help boost your cat's own immunity.

The detection of otitis early stage- a guarantee of maintaining perfect hearing in an animal and saving it from inevitable death caused by inflammation of the meninges.

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It may occur for several reasons. Among which are the accumulation earwax and its subsequent decomposition; ear hit foreign body; growth of wool inside the auricle; various injuries of the auricle. Also, otitis can be caused by the presence of (otodectosis).

Types of otitis media and symptoms

The most common inflammation of the outer ear. This is ─ otitis externa. General otitis in ─ redness or discharge, smell from the ears. The animal becomes restless, head, scratches the ear and reacts very aggressively to touching the sore spot. With purulent otitis media, pus, fluid, or blood may be released.

With inflammation of the middle ear, the pet may experience pain when opening the mouth. In this case, he refuses to eat, as he cannot chew food. If a cat has otitis media, there may be other symptoms, such as strabismus or discharge from the eyes. The animal may tilt its head towards the affected ear.

Otitis externa occurs when running form inflammation of the outer and middle ear. In inner ear organs of hearing and balance are located. This is a severe form of the disease, the treatment of which often ends surgical intervention.

As soon as you notice the corresponding symptoms in a cat, you should immediately consult a doctor. Before this, you need to rinse the animal's ear saline so that the doctor can determine the extent of the disease.

How to treat otitis media

At mild form external inflammation of the ear is usually prescribed special drops and ointment for the ears. At difficult cases- antiseptic drugs. There are usually several of them: some are designed to deal with the cause, others ─ with inflammation. Fluid is removed from the ear with 3% alcohol solution salicylic or boric acid.

For the treatment of otitis in cats, the doctor can prescribe a number of drugs: Dexamezaton, Sofradex, Propolis, Protargol, Trypsin, Tsiprinol. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat inflammation of the middle ear. medicinal drops.

In order to drip drops, it is necessary to remove the hair from the auricle. Then, with a cotton swab, clean the ear canal from sulfur and secretions. Cotton wool should be moistened in a solution of hydrogen peroxide, boric acid (2%) or in a solution of furacilin. Then blot the remaining moisture with a gauze cloth.

If the doctor does not offer, ask him to take a scraping from the ear for analysis. This is necessary in order to exclude the type of otitis caused by ticks. Because in this case, the treatment can be completely different.

Otitis alone is strictly not recommended! It must be remembered that as a result of untimely and improper treatment otitis, the cat can remain deaf for life. And if the inflammation goes to meninges the pet may die.

Cats quite often suffer from otitis media. In most cases, owners do not pay due attention to the health of the pet. Meanwhile, such frivolity can lead to the death of the animal. In this article, we will look at how to recognize otitis media in cats and how to treat it.

If the cat is regularly examined, then it is quite easy to notice the symptoms of otitis media. Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease: First stage, peak period, transition to a chronic form or recovery.

At the beginning of otitis, the skin on the auricle changes - it turns red, sometimes it gets wet. characteristic feature is an sharp pain. You can recognize it like this: the pet does not allow you to stroke his head, lies on a sore ear, and during sudden attacks pain jumps up sharply and shows anxiety.

At this stage, it is necessary to start treating the cat, otherwise the otitis media will become chronic.

The peak period of otitis media can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• scratches, crusts and abrasions on the ear;
• increase in body temperature;
• lethargic state;
• loss of appetite or refusal to eat;
• constant pain (the cat shakes its head all the time and becomes aggressive).

Diagnostics

At the slightest suspicion of otitis, fast diagnostics you can do it yourself - you just need to scratch the cat behind the ear. If the animal presses its ear to the bare one and at the same time knocks with its hind paw, then there is inflammation. In this case, you should definitely contact your veterinarian.

Before prescribing treatment, the veterinarian examines the cat in several ways. The first step is an otoscopic examination. With help special device(otoscope) large accumulations of sulfur, foreign objects are found, the general condition of the eardrum is assessed.

If otitis media is caused by a fungus, general examination cats. This will help to identify the cause of a decrease in immunity, often it is provoked by inflammation of the internal organs.

If meningitis is suspected, a puncture of the cerebrospinal fluid is performed.

Treatment of otitis media

You can treat a cat for otitis media at home only with the medicines prescribed by the veterinarian. It is strictly forbidden to self-medicate, because this can lead to hearing loss or death of the cat.

To speed up the recovery of the pet, it is necessary to provide him with proper nutrition, which is based on balanced and easily digestible food. Additionally, special vitamin complexes. The cat should be kept warm and completely enclosed from drafts. During treatment, you can not wash the cat.

The treatment regimen for otitis should only be determined by a veterinarian. Usually, therapy begins with the appointment of sulfonamides and antibiotics. The specialist prescribes drugs such as Tsiprinol, Trypsin, Propolis, Sofradex, Protargol.

Before dripping drops to a cat, you should clean auricle. It is done like this:

1. Clean your ears with Ottifri lotion or antiseptics (Chlorhexidine, Miramistin).
2. Next, use a cotton swab to remove blood, sulfur, hair and pus, do not forget to wipe the area around the sore ear.
3. Dry the ear completely with a dry bandage.
4. Using a dispenser or pipette, carefully drop the drops into the ear.

must be observed exact dosage medication prescribed by the doctor. Aurikan, Otonazol, Otibiovin drugs help very well. For pain relief, you can give the cat a suspension of Loxicom. With strong scratching, you can use healing ointments - Iruxovitin and Levomekol.

In case of severe purulent otitis media, washings are done in the clinic; in case of blockage, surgical treatment of the ear canal is performed.

Causes

The ears of cats are a very vulnerable place, so otitis media often occurs. There are quite a few reasons that cause illness.

The course of otitis media can often be accompanied by complications. In some cases, a slow progression of the disease is possible, which does not make itself felt. This development of the disease ends chronic inflammation ear.

Complications include:

• paralysis of the facial nerve (drooping of the eyelid, lips, change in facial expressions);
• meningitis (the cat is in state of shock, vomiting fountain, fever);
• purulent inflammation (fluid is released from the ear, an unpleasant odor begins to emanate from the cat);
• deafness.

Prevention

The disease is easier to prevent than to treat. To prevent the occurrence of otitis, it is necessary to regularly clean the auricles of a cat (1-2 times a month). If this is difficult, you can contact your veterinarian.

The pet should not sleep in a draft. When washing, make sure that water does not flow into the ears. For this purpose, you can purchase a special hat for the cat or not wash his head at all.

In addition, it is necessary to preventive examinations at the veterinarian for the presence of inflammation in internal organs. It will be enough if this is done every 3 months.

It leads to irreparable consequences: deafness, damage to the meninges.

It is important to bring the cat to the doctor when it appears initial symptoms. Treatment is to eliminate the root cause and relieve inflammation. Preventive measures help reduce the risk of developing the disease.

a brief description of

The cat's ear consists of 3 sections: outer, middle, inner.

The classification and severity of the disease depends on the location of the inflammation:

• Otitis externa affects the visible part of the auditory canal and the auricle. The disease is not difficult to eliminate, but if left untreated, the pathology spreads in depth.
• Otitis media develops in the department tympanic membrane. It is more difficult to cope with this form, the disease passes without complications with early diagnosis and proper therapy.
• Deep affects the internal department, the vestibular apparatus. This form is more difficult to treat and more often than others gives complications. IN advanced cases inflammation spreads to the membranes of the brain.

Otitis media occurs in both chronic and acute form, is both unilateral and bilateral.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Otitis occurs as a result of a mass of pathologies, these include:

The risk group includes cats with a weakened immune system, their body is not able to resist the development of pathogenic flora, regardless of the initial cause.

Signs of otitis media

The disease is signaled by changes in the behavior of the pet:

• the cat rubs and scratches the diseased ear with its paw and on the surrounding objects;
• does not allow himself to be stroked;
• meows for no apparent reason;
• unexpectedly screams because of painful shootings;
• shakes and tilts his head towards the unhealthy ear;
• the animal stops playing and looks depressed;
• appetite decreases or disappears.

On examination, the following changes are visible:

• redness, irritation, swelling of the ear;
• skin damage due to scratching: scratches, sores, crusts;
• selection: transparent, yellow, gray, black.

In severe cases, the temperature rises, increases submandibular lymph nodes, pus is discharged from the ears with bad smell. If the inflammation hurts facial nerve, the cat's lip and eyelid sag from the side of the diseased ear. With the defeat of the deep section of the pet, balance and hearing are disturbed.

Veterinary care

Otitis media can be cured if the cause is identified and eliminated. This cannot be done at home, so if any sign of illness appears, the cat is taken to a veterinary clinic.

Additionally, blood and urine are examined. In difficult cases, the cat is sent for an x-ray or MRI.

Treatment of the disease at home

It is forbidden to prescribe medications on your own; drops cannot be used if the membrane is damaged.

If it is not possible to immediately take the cat to the clinic, the following actions are allowed:

• Cut wool off inner surface ear.
• Remove crusts and highlights with gauze napkins and disinfectant solutions Furacilina, Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, boric acid.
• Rinse ears with saline.
• Lubricate wounds with antimicrobial ointments Levomekol, Sanatol, Safroderm , do not apply inside.

On the day of visiting the clinic, the ears are not processed so as not to blur the picture during diagnosis. After taking, follow the instructions of the veterinarian, use only prescribed medications. Drops, ointments are applied to the cleaned ear.

Drug Overview

These include:

• Otibiovet;
• Otides;
• Otospectrin;
• Candibiotic;
• Oricin;
• Otonazol.

Once diagnosed, the choice of medication depends on the cause of the inflammation.

The following groups of drugs are used for treatment:

With purulent otitis, antibiotic injections are prescribed Amoxicillin, Ceftriaxone . For supporting defensive forces use immunomodulators Immunofan, Ribotan . The dosage of drugs and the duration of use are set by the veterinarian based on the weight of the cat and the stage of the disease.

Prevention of otitis media

The need for ear cleaning is determined only by a doctor; a healthy animal does not need treatment. With increased formation of sulfur, use saline or lotion as prescribed by a doctor. The remedy is poured, the ear is massaged for half a minute, the pet is allowed to shake its head and the discharge is removed with a gauze swab.

You can not penetrate the canal with a cotton swab, tweezers, a finger with a bandage.

At an early stage, the symptoms of otitis are eliminated in 2 to 3 weeks. It is important to start treatment immediately to prevent complications and the transition of the disease into a chronic form.