Is your cat shaking its head frequently? Does it have a strange discharge in its ears, or is there an odor coming from your cat's ears? Chances are that your cat has an ear infection. Infections are caused by various different factors including ear mites, yeast, allergies, or even excess moisture in the ear. Numerous remedies are available to treat your cat's ear problem.
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Determine the Cause of the Ear Infection
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Ear mites are typically the most common cause of ear infections in cats. Sometimes you will be able to look in your cat's ear and observe little white mites crawling in the ear canal. However, if all you see is black crusty wax, your veterinarian may need to take a swab of your cat's ear and check for mites under a microscope. If the test is positive for ear mites, your veterinarian can give you antibiotics to put in your cat's ear canal to kill the mites.
Treating an Infection Holistically
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Antibiotics can become less effective over time. If your cat is prone to ear infections, you may consider treating the ear infections holistically. Since infections can be caused by food allergies, purchasing good quality food high in protein with few preservatives is one way of dealing with an ear infection holistically.
Another way to treat the infection holistically includes introducing up to 250 mg vitamin C into your cat's diet, which strengthens the adrenal gland, a gland that helps reduce inflammation during an infection. You can introduce vitamin C through sodium ascorbate powder, which can be purchased at a health food store. Gradually add the vitamin C to your cat's diet. Too much can cause mild diarrhea. With any holistic plan, it is important to consult with your veterinarian first.
Swabbing Out the Ear
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If you are not using antibiotics you will need an alternative treatment to clean the infected area. A general cleaning solution that is mild enough for the ear canal is a diluted solution of water and apple cider vinegar. This is designed to treat yeast-related infections. Simply put one to two drops of the solution into your cat's ear and massage the ear area, allowing the vinegar solution to spread throughout the ear, then wipe it out with a cotton bud. Also, look for pet-safe products containing tea tree oil, which is supposed to be beneficial in healing bacterial infections. If the ear infection smells, or the discharge appears sticky, homeopathic graphites can be applied to treat the infection. You can find homeopathic graphites at a reputable health food store or a store that specializes in vitamins and supplements.
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