{"id":24511,"date":"2021-01-12T09:02:16","date_gmt":"2021-01-12T09:02:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cats.com\/?p=24511"},"modified":"2023-04-14T11:56:34","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T11:56:34","slug":"ear-discharge-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cats.com\/ear-discharge-in-cats","title":{"rendered":"Ear Discharge in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This article aims to explain the details of ear discharge in cats, a problem that can happen for a number of reasons. The aim of this article is to provide a simple, clear explanation about ear discharge for cat owners.<\/p>\n

What is Ear Discharge?<\/h2>\n

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Normally, a cat\u2019s ears are clean, with no extra discharges or materials visible in or around the ears, on the inside of the ear flap or pinna, or around the top of the opening of the ear. When ear discharge is present, these appear as crusty, scabby, brown, yellow, or green-tinted material gathering around the inside of the ear and often spreading to the adjacent skin.<\/p>\n

How Common is Ear Discharge?<\/h2>\n

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Ear discharge is common, especially in kittens or in feral-type cats that have been living in groups. They can develop in any cat, however, at any time.<\/p>\n

How Do Cats Get Ear Discharge?<\/h2>\n
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Cats develop ear discharge for a number of reasons, primarily irritation of the ear lining.<\/p><\/div>\n

Ear discharge develops as a consequence of a number of different ear problems. If the lining of the ear is irritated (i.e. so-called otitis externa), the ear canal produces extra secretions.<\/p>\n

This is part of the immune system’s response e.g. to bacteria, as the secretions have an anti-microbial effect. As these secretions build up, they can be seen by the owner as a waxy build-up, and sometimes they move upwards so that they gather around the opening of the ear.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of Ear Discharge in Cats<\/h2>\n
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Ear discharge may be brown, green, or yellow. This type of discharge is commonly referred to as “ear wax”.<\/p><\/div>\n

When an owner examines their cat\u2019s ears, there should normally be a clean, dry skin surface, and when the ear canal itself is checked, the lining should be clean and empty, with no liquid or solid material in sight.<\/p>\n

If ear discharge is present, these may be seen as brown, yellow, or even green coloured material around the opening of the ear. If the ear is examined closely, sometimes this type of discharge may just be seen inside the ear canal.<\/p>\n

This type of discharge is commonly referred to as ear wax.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Often affected cats may be head shaking, or pawing at their ears, because of the ongoing ear disease. Most often, the outer ear is the only affected area, but if there is also disease of the middle ear or inner ear (so-called otitis interna<\/i>), there may be other signs, such as a head tilt, or loss of balance. There may also be hearing loss.<\/p>\n

Causes of Ear Discharge in Cats<\/h2>\n

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The most common causes of ear discharge include:<\/b><\/p>\n