my kitten is not eating but he is drinking water, hes been sleeping alot the last couple of days. His right ear has been bothering him theres alot of black stuff in, we've tried to get some out but we dont want to hurt him. so maybe its his ear the reason hes not eating... but anyone has any answers can you plase help meCan Someone help me figure out whats wrong with my kitten?
Ear mites are common in kittens and will cause black stuff like you are seeing to form. It is their waste they excrete. I know fleas can suck so much blood in a kitten it is a real danger so maybe ear mites are too. If your kitten has mites (where did it come from and how long ago BTW) then it is likely he could also have fleas, worms, and other parasites so a vet check up is needed. Kittens sleep A LOT and if he is drinking he will be OK for a few days. Depending on how long you have had him it may not be a big deal, since cats often don't eat in a new home, but see a vet to make sure. A day or two not eating is no biggy, but if it goes longer may be trouble. The black in the ears is most likely mites and if there are mites there is probably other problems so yup vet time mites don't go away without treatment. Good luckCan Someone help me figure out whats wrong with my kitten?
It is possible that the cat has an infection (abcess) in his ear. The black stuff could be puss that is leaking out. If that is the case, you definitely need to get him to the vet because he probably has a high fever and needs antibiotics.
You have some very good answers. I would just like to add, that ear mites can kill a cat, and kill a kitten much sooner. They will bore into the brain, and it is a very painful death. You can get mite meds over the counter, but it sounds like your past that stage, and need the vets formula. It is stronger, works faster, and of course cost more. If money is an issue, the local shelter may be able to help.
Get him to the vet as soon as you can.
There is obviously something wrong if he is off his food.
He probably has a ear infection or a mite or flea in his ear. Its good he's drinking lots of fluids and he may be running a fever this happened to my cat PLEASE take him to the vet A.S.A.P.
take him to the vet- be safe not sorry
vet a.s.a.p.
She could have a tick or two in her ear.
Take him to the vet immediately. Not eating is a bad sign.
Your kitten may have ear mites (black stuff in the ear). He should probably see a vet to get proper medication to get rid of the ear mites, and for a general check up to see if any other problems are present.
Checking the ears
Incorporate ear care into your cat’s regular grooming program. If you notice any discharge, unpleasant smell, redness, swelling, lumps or pain, you should visit your veterinarian immediately. A special tool (an otoscope) is required to look down the ear canal to diagnose the problem and provide the correct treatment. Prompt treatment will ensure the problem doesn’t become more serious.
Any ear problem can cause affected cats to scratch or paw at their ears or shake their heads. Foreign objects in the ear, allergies, ear mites, certain skin conditions and infections with bacteria, fungi and yeasts can all cause ear disease.
Cleaning the ears
To clean normal ears, use an ear cleaning solution provided by your vet. Ear cleaners remove excess moisture, wax and debris from the outer ear canal. Only use products specifically for cats (avoiding medicated products unless advised by your vet) and follow these simple steps for effective ear cleaning:
Squeeze the bottle and dribble a few drops of ear cleaner into the ear canal
Massage gently at the base of the ear (you will hear a squelching sound as you do so) to work in the solution. Stop if this appears to be painful to your pet and consult your vet.
Repeat with the other ear and allow your cat to shake its head and help loosen any wax
Use cotton wool to wipe away any excess solution, and to clean out any wax or debris. Use your forefinger only and gently clean as far as it will naturally reach to avoid hurting the eardrum
Never use cotton buds or poke anything into the ear as you can damage the sensitive lining of the ear canal or, worse, perforate the eardrum.
Signs of ear problems include:
Odor
Scratching or rubbing of ears and head
Discharge in the ears
Redness or swelling of the ear canal
Shaking of the head or tilting it to one side
Pain around the ears
Changes in behavior such as depression or irritability
List of Ear Diseases in Cats:
Allergies:
Cats with allergies, either to food or something they inhale, may have ear problems. As a matter of fact, the ear problem may be the first sign of the allergy. Since the allergy changes the environment within the ear, we sometimes see secondary infections with bacteria or yeast. If we just treat the infection, we are not getting to the root of the problem. We need to treat the allergies too.
Parasites:
The ear mite, Otodectes cynotis, is a common cause of ear problems especially in kittens. Some animals are hypersensitive to the mites and the resultant itching can be intense. These animals may scratch so much they severely traumatize the ear. Ear mites are very contagious and pass easily between the same species as well as between one species and another for example to dogs . Ear mites can even be passed to humans as transient carriers to other animals . They live on the surface of the skin in the ear canal, where they feed on tissue debris and tissue fluids.
Cats' reactions to mite infestations vary. Some cats don't seem bothered by even a large number of mites, but other cats itch intensely with only a small number. The former may be hypersensitive to mite saliva, so just a few mites in the ear canal can cause irritation. Also, mites stimulate the wax-producing glands inside the ear. The buildup of wax can then cause inflammation and lead to even more discomfort for the cat. One symptom of a mite infestation is a buildup of dark wax that looks something like coffee grounds.
Bacteria and Yeast:
Numerous types of bacteria and the yeast, Malassezia pachydermatis, cause ear infections. The normal, healthy ear has a good defense against these organisms, but if the ear environment changes due to allergies, hormone abnormalities, or moisture, the bacteria and yeast can greatly multiply and break down these defenses.
Foreign Bodies:
Plant awns, those little ';stick-tights'; that cling to our clothes and our cats' fur, can sometimes enter the ear canal. Their presence causes irritation, the cat scratches, and before you know it we have a traumatized, infected ear. So if you have a cat who goes outside, be sure to routinely check the ears.
Trauma:
As we described above, self-inflicted trauma to the ear due to scratching can exacerbate ear problems.
Hormonal Abnormalities:
Deficiencies or excesses of various hormones can result in skin and ear problems. Thyroid hormone, glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal gland, and sex hormones all influence the health of the skin and ears.
Ear Environment:
Bacteria and yeast could not ask for a better environment to live in than a warm, dark, moist ear canal.
Other Causes:
There are various rare hereditary diseases that occur in different breeds or lines and affect the ears. Eosinophilic granulomas are related to a disorder of the immune system and can occur in the ears of cats. Squamous cell carcinomas, melanomas, and other tumors can be seen in the ears.
The best thing to do for your kitten is to go to a veterinarian and don't wait too long. He/She will know what to do.
The black stuff in the ears may be from mites or fleas, does the kitten have an eye cold, if so possible an upper respiratory infection.
Get him to the vet to be sure.
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