posted 04-10-2003 07:19 AM           

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My cat has a dry dark build up in her ears which she scratches at. How do i clean them or should i take her to the vet?

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Posts: 9
From:Scotland
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-10-2003 11:47 AM         

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It is probably an ear infection. So you should take the kitten to the vets and they should give it some ear drops which should clear it up. Good Luck!
Lila

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From:seymour, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 04-10-2003 05:49 PM         

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Sounds like ear mites- does the build up look like coffee granules? There is a fairly easy and safe alternative to chemical ear drops for mites that works well, but I don't feel like writing it out unless you think it might be (feeling a bit lazy this afternoon- ha ha)- let me know!

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posted 04-11-2003 02:35 AM           

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To Carrie,
Thank you very much for answering my post. It does look a bit like coffee granules, it doesn't feel like wax, it's very dry and bitty. You said there's an alternative to ear drops, if you feel like it I would love you to write it down for me. I tried to email you but for some reason mine is not sending mail.
Thank you
Lee

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From:seymour, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 04-11-2003 02:03 PM         

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Lee,
You will need a small dropper bottle (or 1/2 oz. dropper without bottle) and some olive or almond oil. Pour some oil into the dropper bottle and warm to body temperature by immersing it in hot water. Hold your cats ear flap open (helps if someone else is holding her) and put about 6-10 drops in ear- (I find it easier to drop the oil down the side trying to coat all sides and let it roll down into the ear canal instead of directly dropping it down the center.) Lightly massage the canal- you should barely ear a fluid sound. Let your cat shake her head, then GENTLY remove debris and excess oil with a swab (you can also do this before oil treatment.) The oil smothers the mites- but will not kill the eggs- so apply oil every other day for six days (3 total treatments) so you can kill the eggs as they are hatching. Also a tsp. of brewer's yeast added to your cat's food every day and an improved diet will aid in both prevention and recovery.
Hope this helps!!!
Carrie

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posted 04-12-2003 09:35 AM           

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Thank you so much much Carrie, i'm sure my cat will love me for this (not) but it's better than being sick lol.

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