cat

[Tillymint]

My cat has recently been irritated by her ear, she wont let me look at it. It first I thought she may need flea'd but I have done this and it is still irratating her. Has anyone got any suggestions on if I can treat this myself, can I buy ear drops over the counter and will they be any good?

[ShellyHall]

It could be that she has ear mites or little growths in her ear canal. The vet diagnosed the latter in my Uncle's cat and there's nothing they can do to help, except an operation which runs the risk of leaving the cat deaf.

You can buy ear drops over the counter at pet shops, but of course if you don't know what's wrong you can't treat it effectively.

A visit to a vet is probably the easiest option. At least then anything he prescribes will be treating the correct problem.

[orange-gnome]

Just to echo what Shelly said really...take her to the vets, it could be as simple as a small infection or something like a grass seed in her ear...seeing as you don't know the vet is definitely the best option.
I would also just like to say that pet shops are able to sell these treatmeants without a license because they only contain very mild drugs which therefore usually don't work. So I wouldn't waste your money. Your vet will be able to diagnose exactly what is wrong and give you the best thing to treat it with, it might be more expensive but at least you know it will make the problem go away : )

Hope she's ok : )

[Tillymint]

Thanks for your advice, i will book an appointment at the vets for her.

[ShellyHall]

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.