A cat ear infection can be the result of a virus, bacterium or fungus, but whatever is causing discomfort in your cat's ear, Zymox is one of the most effective treatment options. It works for both acute and chronic ear infections, and there are no reported side effects.
Feline Ear Infection
If your cat has extra folds of skin in its ear, or a floppy ear carriage, it is much more likely to get an ear infection at some point in its life. Some other characteristics of a cat's ear that predispose it to an infection are excessive amounts of hair and cerumen (earwax), or stenosis, a narrowing or stricture of a blood vessel. Cats can also develop an ear infection if their immune system is suppressed by medication, such as systemic antibiotics.
Symptoms of an Ear Infection
If your cat shakes its head often and paws at its head or ear, it is a sign of itching or pain, and could indicate an ear infection. Later stages of an ear infection can lead to bloody or infected discharge, or even paralysis of the side of the face that has the infected ear.
Paralysis is caused when the infection inflames the tissue around the facial nerve that runs next to the inner ear, which disrupts the signals going along that nerve. Drooping eyelids and muscles in the face can make it difficult for the cat to open its eye, or paralysis of the mouth can lead to problems eating and swallowing. Very serious ear infections can cause him to become disoriented and unbalanced, and in some cases the animal will continually walk in circles.
How to Use Zymox
Do not clean the affected area before or after the application of Zymox. Insert the end of the bottle into the cat's ear, and gently squirt the Zymox into the ear canal. Make sure the medication completely covers the infected areas.
Once Zymox is properly applied, the cat will naturally want to shake its head to remove excess medication, so apply enough to compensate for this. For an acute infection, you only have to do this once a day for seven days, but for more serious chronic infections, the treatment will have to last twice that long. If the infection does not clear up in 14 days, consult your veterinarian.
When Not to Use Zymox
If you are already using a topical ear medication, do not use Zymox, because the enzymes in it will not be as effective.
Most cats experience at least one ear infection during their lifetime. Cat ear infections can be very serious health hazards if left untreated, so be sure to act quickly if you suspect your cat has one.