Any ideas about what's wrong with our cat?

Question

First, let me say Nikita has a vet appointment at 2 pm today.

I would like to be an informed Mommy to him and not just go in blind.  

Every day Nikita spends several hours in my lap, sleeping and being petted, and I consider myself pretty observant, so this took me quite by surprise.

Yesterday evening, after work, he jumped into my lap to go to sleep and I noticed a dark, wet looking area under his left ear.  I touched it, and it was dried/hard.  

At first I thought it was the dog's fault...we have a lab puppy who likes to play with him and nibble/lick his fur.  

But, as I petted the back of his ears I heard a weird sound.  Investigating further, it was the same ear (and NOT the other) making a squishy/wet sound.  

I used several Q-tips to clean out the inside of his ear.  And, no I did NOT go deep in his ear.  He actually tolerated it quite well.  The residue that came out on the Q-tips was dark, like dirt, with a clear liquid.  I cleaned the drip-age off his fur with a damp cloth so I could tell if it happened again.

I kept a close eye on him the rest of the evening.  No more drip-age, but still squishy sounding.  He has not been acting uncomfortable.  This morning, same thing.  He is not acting lethargic (well, any more than cats do, as they sleep a good amount of the time!)  He's still bugging/playing with the puppy, using his litter box and eating/drinking normally.

Any ideas as to what's wrong?

midnightraven528 · Accepted Answer

you don't have to worry about putting a qtip too deep into cats/dogs ears.  their ears are L shaped, so you can put the qtip as far as it will go.  it will not damage their eardrum
and probably mites or some kind of infection. im glad you are going to the vet.  yay for good pet owners.

Messykatt · Answer

I'm voting infection over ear mites for a lot of reasons.  Cats with ear mites usually display symptoms like head shaking, etc.  Just think how it feels if you've ever had a bug get in your ear canal!  It drives them nuts.  Secondly, the ear mites would not produce the wet sound you hear, which is probably drainage of some sort.

I'm sure he'll be just fine.  The vet will probably evacuate the ear canal and then provide either a topical ointment, preventive antibiotics, or both.

Windi Lea · Answer

The poster who suggested ear mites  could be right - that icky dirtiness is a classic sign of it.  One thing that usually accompanies ear mites is a lot of scratching.  I had a cat who used to have yeast infections in her ear, but I think she seemed more ill from it.  I do remember that the veterinarian recommended we keep her ears clean at home, and gave us some ear cleansing solution to drop in, then massage the ear from the outside, then use q-tips to clean it out.  The appetite and activity level being as per usual is a good sign that whatever this is has not run his immune system down.

Anonymous · Answer

i have a cat that wont move even if you step on him, he just lays there, but its what i dont see that the vet said is important, hes old and just lazy he does what he needs to like litter box food/water other than that he has a flat spot wore into my carpet, my other cats try to play with him and he just lays there taking the beating the vet said it may be his time and he knows it and is waiting i dont know all i can tell you is go to the vet as it could be a more serious issue than just being an old cat

Melanie G · Answer

Ear mites?

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Any ideas about what's wrong with our cat?

5 Answers