I Have A Cat That Will Not Stop Scratching Her Ear, Any Suggestions?
This cat is allergic to fleas, so we make sure to keep that problem resolved. We have taken her to the vet and she has no fleas (he did give her an allergy shot to be sure), she does not have mites, neither does she have infection. He did an allergy test on her and found nothing other than the allergy to fleas. Even though she was only scratching her ear, I had the vet check everything from mites to worms, just to be on the safe side.
In the past, once I saw her scratch even once, I would use her flea med immediately and the problem would be solved. I rescue animals so sometimes one will bring a flea in, even though I quarantine the new ones, stuff happens sometimes. And I stay prepared. I also have the exterminator come every three months … an ounce of prevention.
She began scratching about three weeks ago and I began the ritual. However, when I checked, I saw no sign of fleas. Now I do know when a cat or dog is allergic, one can wreak havoc – and there is never just one.
When she did not stop scratching after the first day, I loaded up the kitty carrier and took her to the vet. I have done this three times and he has not found anything. She has scratched until the spot just behind her ear is raw, and it looks terrible. I have a natural medication I use on it and that is about the only thing that helps. I have tried all of the medications and they make her ear burn, cause her obvious pain and do little to even help the raw area. My problem is, even after I put the natural concoction on that helps, she will wait a day and then begin scratching again. Thus, about time it scabs over and looks like it might heal, she breaks it open again. I just put the medication on her rear again this morning and she actually purred while i was putting it on, and then began rubbing against my legs as cats will do when they are happy. I sat and held her for awhile so she would not try and rub the salve I made off, and the little booger actually took her paws and wrapped around my neck as if she were hugging me.
I am just totally stumped! I have never seen any animal keep scratching as she does, even when I know it is hurting her. I am worried she is going to permanently damage herself.
Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions?
Add: We have tried the basic anti-itch medications as well.
Tagged with: Have • Scratching • Stop • Suggestions • That • Will
Filed under: Flea Allergies In Dogs
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Hi Beth!
Poor little girl! Did they do a scrape of the skin area that she is scratching?…could be some sort of microscopic thing going on…instead of topical meds, did he give her any pills? My former cat Alice had all sorts of skin bumps that could not be explained…Nothing kept it from returning. Could it be the food or water (hard)? I am wondering also if it is a type of MRSA, that has colonized on her skin. OH I do see where you said “basic anti-itch meds”,…sorry, glasses come tomorrow! (I have been in denial)! Let us know, Angel Wolf 13
Check her ears again for mites. Smell them. If they stink, she has ear mites. They can be tricky to get rid of.
The scab may be what is causing your cat to itch.
Maybe its an ear infection..
and try a different vet, you nevr know
Does she have black in her ears? She may have mites.
take her to the vet she probably has either mites or an infection that could get serious if you let it go too long
Has the vet looked inside of your cat’s ear?, not on the ear but way inside of it. It has to be itching or hurting it. Like us, if it itches inside of our ear, we stick our finger in it. How is the cat’s hearing? Have you ever thought about getting a second option? The vet you go to has to be missing the culprit otherwise the cat wouldn’t attacking its’ ear. Good Luck!
Id have to guess it’s either a food allergy, or a bacterial/yeast infection that just isn’t showing up. Ask your vet about Otomax or Mometamax – it’s a combination antibiotic and anti fungal that seems to clear up a lot of unidentified ear itchies. If her ears itch, she’s just going to keep scratching and scratching and scratching. Whatever you’re using now isn’t getting rid of the problem. My little rescue cornish rex came to me with ears that itched so badly and for so long that his head is permanently scarred from the scratching. One week on the Mometamax (and a better quality food, see below) and he stopped. His hair grew back on his head and ears, and he seemed to be so relieved not to be digging himself. We never did determine just what the “cause” was – just that these two drops seem to cure a whole host of ills, when earmites have been ruled out.
What foods are you feeding her? Many cats develop a sensitivity to certain foods, and corn is a big culprit. Read the ingredients on the food your feeding her – if it has any corn, artificial preservatives (BHA, BTA, etc), or artificial color that may be a cause. Find her a food that is free of all of these things, and that may help as well (and surely won’t hurt). If it *is* food, then it’s not going to go away overnight. Go to the pet store, carefully read the ingredients, and if it contains corn or anything artificial, put it back and keep looking.
One of my cats was doing the same thing and after bringing her to the vet, was told that she had excessive ear wax and to carefully keep cleaning her ear with a cotton ball so as not to puncture her ear drum. This seems to have done the trick and her fur has grown back as well.
Good Luck!
I had a similar issue where my cat wouldn’t stop scratching her ear. We had to buy a cone and keep it on her for a week but the problem was solved! Every once in a while she would start to scratch again and we just had to put the cone back on. It’s more annoying for the owner than the cat – the cone – but it does help! Good luck!