The cat shakes its head and scratches its ears: why and what to do?

Sometimes the owners begin to notice that the cat began to scratch its ears and shake its head. For those who have a good experience in keeping these animals, everything immediately becomes clear. This kind of pet behavior can be associated with serious illnesses.

Causes

Basically, a cat scratches ears constantly. Thus, the pet gets rid of itching caused by foreign particles, dirt and dust, which get into the ears during walks and in domestic conditions. This is a kind of hygienic procedure that helps the ears to clear. It is important to pay attention to how often, and how exactly the animal does it.

What should alert:

1. In the area of ​​the ears and head, there is a violation of the skin and inflammation.
2. During scratching, the pet shows negative emotions: hisses, rumbles, meows.
3. Frequent scratching is accompanied by aggression, anxiety, irritability.
4. The cat itches without interruption, shaking its head. From the outside, it looks as if she is trying to get rid of a foreign body in the ears.

The reasons for this behavior can be caused by problems of a domestic (mechanical) and pathological (physiological) nature.

Mechanical reasons
Mechanical are often diagnosed by the owners, can be eliminated independently. And, as a rule, they are rarely accompanied by complications and do not require drug therapy. These reasons include:

1. Subsequently, the owner did not observe the hygiene of the pet in the ears accumulated a lot of sulfur, which the cat can not eliminate on its own.
2. Injury or slaughter of surrounding tissue.
3. Contact with a foreign object.
4. After hygienic water procedures or during rain, water gets into the ears.
5. Itching is caused by squeezing the surrounding tissues during sleep and the resumption of proper blood circulation.

Pathological causes
Often they are dangerous to the health and even life of the animal. These include:

1. Purulent inflammatory processes in nearby tissues.
2. Manifestations of skin diseases, eczema or dermatitis.
3. The presence of fungal infection.
4. Benign and malignant processes in the head.
5. Individual allergic reactions to external stimuli.
6. Blood-sucking parasites: ticks and fleas.
7. Inflammation of the ear - otitis media.

Such conditions pose a danger to the health and life of the feline family. Therefore, they require consultation and supervision by a veterinarian.

Ear inflammation (otitis media)

During otitis, the animal combs its ears to the blood, damaging the skin, shakes its head. Sulfur, anemone oozes from the auricle, purulent discharge is observed. The cat may feel drowsy and suffer from a lack of appetite. Inflammation of the ears can be caused by the following factors:

• ticks;
• bacterial infection;
• a combination of the two above reasons.

If ticks are present, ear inflammation is a complication. Complex therapy with the use of medications Decor, Tsipam, Anandin.

The causes of bacterial otitis media are the presence of foreign organisms in the auricles. These include fungal infections, which are exacerbated by a decrease in the strength of the immune system and the presence of individual allergic reactions to certain irritants from the external environment. They treat such conditions with the help of special drugs for external exposure: Mistieta, Otonazole, Aurizole, Clotrimazole. In a neglected state, antibiotics and painkillers are used. Allergic reactions are blocked by antihistamines.

With inflammation of the ear of a mixed form, Bars, Aurican, Oricin, Ordermil are used. An exception are steroid drugs. They are used only in extreme cases, on the strong recommendation of the veterinarian, under his strict supervision.

Purulent secretions and sulfur are carefully removed with a cotton swab or disc moistened with hydrogen peroxide diluted with barely warm water. To increase the body's defenses, the cat is given vitamin and mineral complexes in the form of tablets, suspensions or injections.

Tick ​​diseases

Noothedrosis is one of the most common causes of pruritus in the cat’s ears. The cause of its occurrence is the penetration of a sarcoptoid tick, which affects the ears, nose and around the eyes. It carries the danger that it is capable of causing the presence of damage to the cardiovascular and nervous system of the animal.

Initially, they affect the area of ​​the head and face, and then the rest of the cat’s body. The pet feels severe itching in the ears. The skin suffers from severe dryness and irritation, peeling crusts appear on them, then they can crack and bleed.

In the initial stages of the disease, sedimentary sulfur, tar tar, and green soap are used to neutralize the pest. Crusts are removed with warm water and alkaline soap. With advanced forms, more “heavy artillery” is used - benzyl benzoate syrup, hyposulfite solution. If a secondary infection joins the disease, therapy with antibiotics, painkillers, and medications is indicated to strengthen the body's protective functions.

Ear scabies or otodectosis is considered one of the most common diseases of domestic animals. It is caused by skin mites, which are very small in size, for this reason they are extremely difficult to suspect without the use of additional optical devices. They settle on and inside the auricles. The consequences of their presence are damage to the ear canals and eardrums. The tick sucks the blood of the cat, which causes the animal to severe itching, inflammation and subsequently uncomfortable sensations.

The pet scratches the area of ​​the ears, shaking his head, and makes indignant sounds. Then crusts and scabs appear on the ears, from which the anemone stands out. The consequences of this condition are complications in the form of meningitis, otitis media, and even death.

Diseases treated with antiparasitic drugs aimed at the extermination of blood-sucking parasites for animals. And also drugs are used to treat otitis media and antibiotics from a number of tetracyclines.

Soft tissue slaughter with hematoma

The main symptom is the presence of small swelling in the place where the cat itches. As a rule, after 10-14 days they pass on their own. To reduce pain and itching, you can use cold compresses and special dressings. In the presence of a large hematoma, the pet needs qualified veterinary care. The doctor opens it and removes the internal contents.

The animal is then injected with novocaine in combination with antibiotics and hydrocortisone. Intramuscularly injected with vicasol. In addition, physiotherapeutic procedures can be prescribed.

Fleas

Even those individuals who do not have the ability to independently walk and live in apartment conditions are subject to flea infection. The symptom of their presence can be considered a constant vigorous scratching of the auricles, as well as other parts of the body.

In such cases, antiparasitic drugs for external use from blood-sucking parasites are used. They are used for preventive purposes and for targeted therapy. Such funds include: Frontline, Bars, Stronghold and others.They are drip applied to the withers, where the animal can not get when licking. Dead fleas are removed by combing with a scallop with rare teeth, then combed hair is removed from the body with a wet hand or a special rubber glove.

Important! If there are other animals in the house, they must also be treated with antiparasitic drugs, even if the pets do not have characteristic symptoms. It is absolutely necessary to carry out a general cleaning in the house using disinfectants.

Diagnostics

Since itching of the ears can be caused by quite dangerous reasons, the pet must be shown to a specialist. Only qualified assistance can completely eliminate them.

The veterinarian conducts an in-person examination of the animal and examines the contents of the auricles using special optical devices. Additional tests and medical tests are prescribed to the cat, depending on the medical history. Then, drug therapy is described. If indicated, surgical methods may be used.

Preventative measures

It is important to strengthen the pet's immune system, providing a balanced and high-quality diet. It must be varied, if necessary supplemented with complex vitamins for animals.

Preventive vaccinations, deworming should be done in a timely manner and the veterinarian should be periodically visited for prevention.