Otitis Externa & Media in Cats: Vet Guide 🐱👂 2025

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, veterinarian & founder of Ask A Vet.

Otitis externa is inflammation or infection of the external ear canal; when it progresses, otitis media involves the middle ear behind the eardrum. Both can cause intense discomfort and hearing loss in cats. This guide explores:

• 📌 Differences between external, middle, and interna
• 🧬 Causes & risk factors
• 🚨 Signs & clinical presentation
• 🧪 Diagnostic plan
• 💊 Treatment options
• 🏠 Prevention & home care
• 🤝 Ask A Vet & Woopf/Purrz support

🔍 What Are Otitis Externa & Media?

Otitis externa affects the outer canal and is common; otitis media is deeper, behind the eardrum, often more serious.

• Externa: painful, itchy, discharge
• Media: potential head tilt, pain, balance issues

🧬 Causes & Risk Factors

• Allergies—flea, food, environment
• Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) in kittens and indoor cats
• Bacteria & yeast—often secondary to moisture
• Foreign bodies—grass awns, debris
• Polyps or tumors in middle ear
• Trauma or systemic disease—hypothyroidism

🚨 Signs & Symptoms

• Shaking head, scratching ears
• Odor, dark wax, crusting
• Pain when touching ears; ear canal swelling
• Ear discharge—black, yellow, bloody
• Signs of otitis media: head tilt, circling, balance loss
• Sometimes hearing loss or facial nerve paralysis

🔍 Diagnosis & Evaluation

• Otoscopic exam—look at ear canal and eardrum
• Ear cytology—to identify mites, yeast, bacteria
• Culture from deeper canal—when infection is resistant
• Imaging (X‑ray, CT) for middle ear changes
• Ruling out polyps, masses, systemic illness

🛠️ Treatment Options

Otitis Externa

• Ear cleaning with safe agents
• Topical meds: antibiotic/steroid drops (e.g., gentamicin, miconazole)
• Systemic antibiotics if deep or severe
• Mite treatment if present
• Anti-allergy strategy: hypoallergenic diet, flea control

Otitis Media

• Extended antibiotic course
• Possible myringotomy—flush middle ear
• Polyp removal via surgery
• Long-term care for recurrent cases

Ear Polyps/Tumors

• Surgical removal + histopathology
• Follow-up imaging to monitor recurrence
• Reconstructive options for chronic cases

📆 Prognosis & Follow-Up

• Externa: often curable in 1–2 weeks
• Media: may require 4–6 weeks of treatment
• Recurrent cases need allergy investigations
• Hearing may or may not fully recover
• Monitor with rechecks and cytology

🏠 Home Care & Prevention

• Regular ear checks and cleaning
• Avoid moisture—dry ears after baths
• Maintain flea control and hypoallergenic nutrition
• Watch for signs and seek early treatment

🤝 Ask A Vet & Woopf/Purrz Support

Ask A Vet offers telehealth for:

• Cytology interpretation and treatment planning
• Photos of ears for remote assessment
• Advice on cleaning, medications, and follow-up

Woopf & Purrz provide hypoallergenic diets and skin-nutrition blends to support ear and coat health—excellent for allergic or recurrent ear conditions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Otitis externa is common but treatable; media is deeper and more serious
• Symptoms include scratching, discharge, and sometimes balance issues
• Diagnosis uses cytology, otoscopy, and imaging
• Treatment tailored to cause—drops, systemic meds, surgery if needed
• Prevention = regular care, allergy management, and telehealth support

📞 Final Thoughts

Ear infections in cats can be painful—early intervention and ongoing care are key. With Ask A Vet’s expert guidance and supportive nutrition from Woopf & Purrz, your cat’s ears can stay healthy and complaint-free. 😊

Need help with an ear issue? Visit AskAVet.com and download the Ask A Vet app now!