Cat owners Spokane are aware of the importance of keeping their feline’s ears clean. It is a vital part of your cat’s grooming and general health care. You can evade many serious problems by properly learning how to clean your cat’s ears yourself.
The first step is knowing a few basic facts about your cat’s unique ears.
The Outer Ear: or ear flap/pinna is the visible part of the cat’s ear. This is the visible part of the cat's ear and it is typically upright with a pointed tip. (Some breeds are an exception, like the Scottish Fold who has floppy ears or the American Curl who have ears turned upward.). Persian are more likely than any other breed to develop ear infections.
Ear Canal: This is a two inch tube-shaped organ that shows the way to the eardrum. The eardrum, or the tympanic membrane, is the vital part of the cat's hearing. The eardrum vibrates whenever it picks up sound.
Inner Ear: The part of the cat that's accountable for maintaining equilibrium and balance.
True, your cat is probably not going like his/her ear cleaning episode. Following a few easy steps can make the procedure quicker and easier for both you and your pet. You do not need to clean your cat's ears all the time, but you should check them every two month and be conscious of symptoms that might point to problems with your cat's ear health. The most common problem for cats is a parasitic infestation from ear mites. If you notice your cat scratching his ears frequently or shaking his/her head, this may be a sign of ear mites or another type of ear infection. In this case, a trip to the vet will be necessary.
To clean your cat’s ears you will need ear cleaning solutions, cotton balls or cotton swabs, warm water4, a plastic eyedropper, a large towel for swaddling a nervous, anxious cat.
After a check up, clean the ears with a de-waxing agent (ceruminolytic) agent. This can be found in any pet store. Hold the cat in your lap wrapped up in a towel. Fold the cat’s ears back so the ear canal is easy to get to. Fill the ear with de-waxing solution and massage the ear tenderly. Set your cat free for about five minutes giving him/her time to shake his/her head.
The solution will aid in loosening any wax so you can eliminate it more easily. Keep all the doors to the room shut; your cat is going to find a means of escape after such an ordeal.
Next, wipe the inside of your cat's ear with a cotton swab or gauze.
Never used cotton tipped applicator! You may unknowingly puncture your cat's ear drum.
If you have never cleaned your cat's ears, you should be sharp-eyed to indications that may point toward an ear mite infestation or other infection. Some things to watch for are discharge, redness, tiny black spots that resemble coffee grounds, odor, head-shaking or scratching. Common ear wax will be light brown. Any kind of liquid discharge from your cat's ears is serious and you should consult your veterinarian right away.
Comments