Cleaning Diabetic Cat's Ears

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Blamethecats and Hannah

Blamethecats and Hannah

Member Since 2014
We went to the vet last week, and Hannah was prescribed Baytril Otic drops for an ear infection, 3 drops in both ear canals, twice a day, for 14 to 21 days. After a week of the drops, we're not noticing any improvement... just ongoing brown gunk in her ears every time we put the drops in. Before giving the drops, I wipe her ears out with a cotton ball, trying to get rid of as much debris as possible. When I repeat the drops 12 hours later, there is a whole new supply of brown stuff in her ears. The vet didn't clean her ears before prescribing this treatment, and I'm wondering if it'd be a good idea to do so. If so, is this something I can do? What should I use and how do I go about it. Is there a product out there that is preferable for diabetic kitties? Anyone else have this issue and advice?
 
Maybe a good cleaning under mild sedation would help get you a head start and a sample could be cultured and tested for sensitivity to various antibiotics.
 
Did the vet look a an ear swab rolled on a slide under a microscope? Not infrequently ear gunk is caused by a yeast in addition to or with a bacterial infection. Baytril Otic is only good for bacterial. You need a fungicide for yeast. I use Conifite for yeast.
Your vet was good at prescribing Baytril Otic if it was bacteria only since a lot of vets prescribe a med that has steroids which can skyrocket BGs of a diabetic cat. The good thing about those treatments is that they also treat yeast.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Your vet was good at prescribing Baytril Otic if it was bacteria only since a lot of vets prescribe a med that has steroids which can skyrocket BGs of a diabetic cat. The good thing about those treatments is that they also treat yeast.
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He swabbed her ears, but I don't think he inspected under a microscope. Maybe his vet tech did that while we were discussing... I really don't know. He did say that he was prescribing the the Baytril because he was concerned about prescribing anything with steroids.
 
What kind of smell do you detect from the ears? A sort of sour smell goes along with the yeast possibility.
 
Blamethecats and Hannah said:
He swabbed her ears, but I don't think he inspected under a microscope. Maybe his vet tech did that while we were discussing... I really don't know.
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Call up and ask the vet.
Are you using a ear cleaning solution? When my Badger was having ear problems both Baytril Otic and Conifite was prescribed together with twice weekly ear cleaning with an ear cleaning solution. You flood the ear with the solution and let the cat shake it out and then use a cotton ball to get excess out. It is messy. A Q-tip can also be used but do not really insert it all the way in.
 
BJM said:
What kind of smell do you detect from the ears? A sort of sour smell goes along with the yeast possibility.
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BJ, stuck my nose in her ears but don't detect much of any smell. Poor cat! She's getting pretty tired of me fussing with her ears all the time. I thought she hated being pilled, but this ear tampering thing makes pilling seem "easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy"! :rolleyes:
Larry and Kitties said:
Are you using a ear cleaning solution? When my Badger was having ear problems both Baytril Otic and Conifite was prescribed together with twice weekly ear cleaning with an ear cleaning solution.
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Larry, I'm not using an ear cleaning solution but am wondering if I should be. Any recommendations on what kind to use? Is this something I'll need a prescription for or can I get a good one OTC?
 
There are over the counter ear cleaning solutions at large pet stores and online.
 
The ones I've used have had either some vinegar or peroxide in them, so I can't say. You have to be careful with any essential oils as too high a concentration can be toxic.

Check some of the ones here
 
The 4 ounce bottle is less expensive at Lambert vet supply ($8.45), if you want to test it out first.
 
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