Cat Ear Flap Problems

The ear flap of a cat is the stiff part of the ear that extends beyond the cat's head. Unlike dogs, who have ear flaps that might be soft, long and floppy, a cat's ear flaps are always stiff and triangular, with the exception of breeds like the Scottish fold cat, where the ear flap is crumpled. Cat ear flaps are prone to certain problems and understanding these issues can help you take better care of your cat.

  1. Significance

    • The ear flap on a cat is also known as the pinna. It is a cartilaginous plate that is covered with fragile skin. The skin is covered with very short, fine hair on the outside and fine naked skin on the inside. The cat's ear flaps are delicate, and trauma to this area can cause your cat a significant amount of pain.

    Types

    • There are many different types of problems that affect your cat's ear flap. Wounds from fights or accidents can lead to cuts and infections, and the ear flaps on a cat are prone to haematoma, which are blood blisters that occur under the skin. On pale cats, the ear flaps can be prone to solar dermatitis, where sunlight will irritate the skin and cause lesions. Harvest mites and rabbit fleas can also affect your cat's ears.

    Identification

    • There are several ways to identify cat ear flap problems. You may simply notice that your cat's ears are reddened, crusted or irritated. In the case of a recent fight or accident, your cat might still be bleeding. You may notice that your cat is scratching at its ear if there are parasites present. In the case of harvest mites, you may be able to see orange larva about the size of a pinhead in your cat's ears.

    Treatment

    • After identifying a problem with the ear flap, treatment should begin. Any lacerations or bites need to be thoroughly cleaned with a wound cleaning solution and topped with antibiotic ointment. Antibiotics may need to be administered if the cat has been in a fight due to the possibility of infection. If a cat has had a severe laceration on his ear flap, a wide, plastic collar may be worn to prevent the cat from irritating the wound.

    Prevention/Solution

    • To prevent your cat from receiving lacerations on his ear flaps, keep it indoors. Ears are a favorite target in cat fights, and infections can result from even a minor wound from another cat. To prevent solar dermatitis, keep your pale cat out of the sun.