Dirty ears - what does this mean?

[Traci and Boomer]

Hi!
My gorgeous civvie Merlin has gross junk in his ears. I ask him how his ears can be so icky when he is so handsome! Anyway, I'm wondering if this means he has ear mites or something else? Can I treat this myself as opposed to dragging him to the vet? He lets me clean them. I noticed him itching them today but that was the first time and he's seemed to have this for a while. I've only own him since late July and he's already been to the vet 3 times (poop issues and he's got mild asthma) so if it's something I can treat I'd like to.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[MommaOfMuse]

It could be a couple of things, if it is hard and crusty, then probably ear mites, you can test this by cleaning them and see if while you are cleaning them if he tries to scratch them. The other thing we have had here with our bunch is a yeast infection, that is usually black and gooey instead of the hard crusty stuff that ear mites cause. Another way to test for ear mites is to take some of the gunk out and put it on a piece of black or dark paper it you see little white critters then you have ear mites...both are very treatable at home. With the yeast infection their ears usually have an odor to them or at least our bunch did.

Mel & Max

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Some cats just have dirty ears. Three of mine are always dirty and I just clean them. here is no scratching. Dirty ears, besides being ear mites or yeast can also be due to a bacterial infection.

 

[Traci and Boomer]

Thanks guys! Eeeewww, huh?
The gunk is dark brown and oily and it doesn't smell at all. (thank God)
I'll clean it and keep an eye in it.

 

[squeem3]

The gunk is dark brown and oily and it doesn't smell at all. (thank God)
I'll clean it and keep an eye in it.

It's probably just normal ear wax. You can clean the visible parts of the ear with a cotton swab or tissue. There are ear cleaners for pets that you can buy. Some are drops, others are pre-moistened pads.