In a healthy cat, the ears will have very little ear wax and the discharge will be a light brownish color. The healthy discharge will have no smell and be accompanied by a pink, clean inner ear canal.
Keep in mind that both cats that do and don't have ear mites have brown-colored ear wax. So how can you tell the difference? Cats that aren't suffering an ear mite infection have a lighter brown earwax color that does not smell.
If you find any dark coloured debris, excessive wax, or your cat's ear has a bad odour, you need to see your veterinarian who may refer you to the vet dermatologist depending on the condition.
Check the Outer Ear
The outer flap of the ear should have a layer of hair, and the inner surface should be a light pink. If you notice bald spots on the ear, redness, swelling, or discharge running out of the ears, contact your veterinarian.
Black, brown, or red debris – Earwax build-up collects dirt and dust, causing your cat to shed black or brown flakes from their ears. Any residual blood from ear wounds can also leak into the wax, turning it a red or rusty brown color.
Some cats' ears naturally stay clean, while others have ears that tend to get a little gunky. If your kitty's ears become dirty, your cat needs a little help with sweeping the debris out.
Wax in both normal cats and cats infected with mites is brown. The normal type of wax is a lighter brown color and does not give off an odor. The wax in a cat with ear mites is darker brown or black and is described as looking like coffee grounds. It also will smell bad.
Only clean your cat's ears if a small to moderate amount of debris or discharge can be seen in the pinna and the ear drum is intact. Clean the ears only as needed, such as once every 2-3 months. Over-cleaning can lead to irritation. Healthy cats generally do not need routine ear cleaning.
Cat Ear Infection Symptoms
Warm ears can be a signal that your cat may have an infection. A cat with a fever will may retreat to a cool place with their body splayed rather than curled up. Excessive wax or discharge in the ears prevents your cat from expelling excess heat. Look for black, brown, or yellow discharge.
Some of the most common signs of yeast infections include: Crusty skin around the pet's ear. Waxy buildup inside the pet's ear. Red, irritated skin inside the ear.
Black Or Brown Ear Secretions
If your cat is scratching their ear, you may see some black or brown debris fly out. You may also notice a tiny bit seeping out of their ear. If you look inside of their ear, you may see black or brown coffee-like secretions. All of this indicates that mites are present.
Earwax, or cerumen, is usually amber orange to light brown, but it can vary between individuals and may give clues about a person's health. Red-tinged wax may be a sign of an injury, while greenish wax may indicate an infection, for instance. Earwax plays essential roles in ear health.
Most cats have healthy, clean ears and never need to have their ears cleaned. However, it is recommended to clean your cat's ears if you notice discharge or an odor when examining the ear. Your veterinarian can help you decide how often your cat's ears should be cleaned.
The most common causes of ear discharge in cats include: Ear mites . So tiny you usually need a microscope to see them, ear mites are the most common cause of cat ear problems, and they can be very irritating to your cat.
Most cats don't like having their ears examined, cleaned, or medicated, however, with a little patience and practice, you should be able to perform these tasks at home. Some cats will happily sit in your lap or on a table while you clean or medicate their ears, but many require some form of restraint.
Earwax is designed to pick up dirt and bacteria, preventing infections from occurring — the more it picks up, the darker it becomes. If the earwax is dark and possibly hard as well, then you may have impacted earwax.
Normal earwax colors
Dark brown or black colored earwax is typically older, so its color comes from the dirt and bacteria it has trapped. Adults tend to have darker, harder earwax. Dark brown earwax that is tinged with red may signal a bleeding injury. Light brown, orange or yellow earwax is healthy and normal.
Otitis externa is most prevalent in cats that are especially susceptible to seborrhea, a skin ailment marked by excess oily secretions from the sebaceous glands. This results in the accumulation of surplus ear wax in which invading mites, bacteria, and other organisms can flourish.
Even indoor-only cats can end up with them, and once one cat in the house has them, the others are sure to end up with them as well. Otodectes cynotis seen under a microscope. The most common type of ear mite is Otodectes cynotis, which live in the ear canal and feed by piercing the thin skin.
Cats affected by ear mites will scratch at their ears and shake their heads to attempt to relieve their discomfort, and you may notice that their ears droop. In severe cases, ear mites can lead to inflammation of the outer ear as well as the external ear canal.
Ear mites are parasites that live in and around your cat's ear canal, where they feed on earwax, tissue fluid and skin flakes. These are tiny and spider-shaped creatures. A single ear mite is less than half a millimetre in diameter. To naked eye they look like small black dots in your cat's ear.