You may try to massage near the base of the cat’s ear. If they have an ear infection, they will feel discomfort.

Due to this scratching, the ears or head may end up with wounds or trauma. Your cat may also shake their head a lot.

The discharge may be yellow, dark brown, or black in color. It may be crusty on the ear or be thick and oozing. Debris in the ear canal can be caused by ear mites.

Your cat may also walk around in circles as they tilt their head.

Check for any red nodules or blood-filled pockets inside the ear. Also look for scabs behind or around your cat’s ear. The ear could also be hot to the touch.

Make sure to give the vet a full medical history of the cat in case there are any underlying issues related to the infection. [7] X Research source Trying to treat the infection at home may not work since you don’t know what kind of infection it is or what caused it.

They will also be able to tell if the eardrum is still intact. During the examination of the ear, the vet will also be to see if there is something lodged in the ear. They will also check for tumors.

Other tests may include blood tests, urine tests, CT scans, or MRIs.

This helps the vet figure out what type of infection your cat has. The type of infection determines the treatment. For example, there are bacterial and yeast infections.

The risks of sedating your cat include allergic reactions, swelling at the site of the injection, and in rare cases, death. However, most cats go under sedation without any problems. Talk to your vet about your cat’s health and age to determine if sedation is right for them. [13] X Research source If your cat has a severe infection or has something lodged in their ear, removing it or cleaning the ear without sedation can be too painful, so sedation helps reduce this pain risk for your cat.

The vet may also prescribe ear drops, sprays, or creams to put on the ear. [15] X Research source

You will have to give your cat prescribed medication to heal the infection.

The vet may also cut or remove some of the hair around the ear to reduce the risk of reinfection and to help it air out as it heals.

Make sure a board certified veterinary dermatologist has recommended the surgery. Only allow a board certified veterinary surgeon to perform the surgery. In extreme and rare cases, a veterinarian may remove and close the ear canal.