If your cat is constantly shaking their head and scratching their ears, several scenarios can come to mind: Are they allergic to something? Are they sick? Are they infected with parasites? Constant itching is also a common sign of some type of ear infection, so it can be difficult to know what exactly is going on with your cat. However, other signs can give you a clue, such as a foul smell coming from the ears and the presence of a black or yellow discharge.
In this article, we’ll explore two conditions—yeast ear infection and ear mites—to help you understand what may be affecting your beloved cat. Note that although the information presented here is from reliable sources, it should not replace a proper examination performed by your veterinarian.
At a glance
Cat Yeast Ear Infection
- Often indicative of an underlying disease
- It is not usually contagious to other cats
- Common signs include shaking of the head and scratching of the ears and increased smell
- All cats can be equally affected
Ear Mites
- May lead to the development of a yeast infection
- Highly contagious to other cats
- Common signs include dark brown/black discharge, dizziness, and ear scratching
- More common in kittens and outdoor cats
Cat Yeast Infection Overview
Yeast is a type of microorganism (more specifically, a fungus) that is commonly found on the skin in certain numbers and in the body of many species of animals, including humans.
The most common cause of a cat’s yeast ear infection is Malassezia pachydermatis. This yeast is present in low numbers in the external ear canal as part of the cat’s normal skin flora. However, it can reproduce and grow out of control due to underlying issues that weaken the skin’s normal defenses, and cause infection.
What Are the Signs of Yeast Ear Infection in Cats?
The signs of any ear infection whether yeast or bacteria can be similar, here are some common signs a cat can show:
- He shook his head
- Scratched ears
- Brown or yellow discharge
- Increased smell from the ear
- redness and swelling
What Causes Yeast Ear Infections in Cats?
Ear yeast infections are often opportunistic, meaning they take advantage of a weak and damaged ear canal and grow. Inflammation and damage to the ear canal created by ear mites is a common cause of ear yeast infection. Other reasons include:
- Allergies
- Polyps
- Immune mediated conditions
- Foreign bodies (eg grass seeds or hair)
- Improper or excessive ear cleaning
Can Cat Yeast Infection Spread to People?
Feline yeast ear infections are usually not contagious to other pets or people. Of course, always follow normal hygiene measures, especially after cleaning or treating your pet’s ear infection.
Many other types of fungal infections can spread to humans. Ringworm (dermatophytosis), which is the most common type of fungal skin infection in cats, is zoonotic meaning it can also infect humans.
Cutaneous Sporotrichosis is also zoonotic, this skin infection caused by a fungus called Sporothrix usually causes lumps under the cat’s skin. Candida Infections are rare in cats, but a study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology suggested that many animal species (such as cats, dogs, cattle, horses, and pigs) are susceptible to Candida infections and may be “transmission vectors or reservoirs of strains that cause human disease and may pose a risk for immunocompromised patients1.”
How is Yeast Ear Infection Diagnosed and Treated?
Your vet will start by examining your cat’s ears with an otoscope. They will check for any abnormal growths and examine the eardrum if possible. In severe ear infections the eardrum can be ruptured and damaged. Because the signs of a yeast ear infection can be very similar to bacterial infections and other ear problems, they may take a small sample of the discharge to examine under a microscope to confirm an overgrowth of yeasts.
Your vet will also perform a general clinical examination and may need to run other tests depending on what they find, and to try and find out the underlying cause of the yeast infection. In yeast infections of the external ear canal, usually a medicated ear drop is prescribed that contains an antifungal ingredient as well as an anti-inflammatory. If an underlying cause is found for the infection then that needs to be addressed as well.
Ear cleaning is often necessary, follow your vet’s instructions on proper ear cleaning, method and frequency.
Overview of Ear Mites
Ear mites in cats are a type of parasitic infestation. The most common parasite that affects the cat’s ears is Otodectes cynotis. This tiny mite is highly contagious and can spread to other parts of the cat’s body. The moist environment of the ear canals is an ideal place for ear mites to feed, which they do on remnants of ear tissue, fluid, and wax. This feeding process causes severe itching.
In severe, untreated cases, cats may scratch their ears causing pain, swelling, trauma, skin lesions, and even hematomas. Ear mites can lead to secondary infections with bacteria and yeasts and more serious problems, which is why it’s important to know how to recognize the signs of infestation early.
Ear mites are more common in kittens and outdoor cats. However, no cat is truly safe from these tiny parasites, regardless of their age, breed, or lifestyle.
What Are the Signs of Ear Mites in Cats?
The signs of an ear mite infestation are similar to those of a yeast infection:
- He shook his head
- Scratched ears
- Loss of hair on or around the ear flaps
- Dark crusty or waxy discharge
- Redness
If the ear mites affect other parts of the body you may find itchiness, itching and skin lesions elsewhere.
What Causes Ear Mites in Cats?
Ear mites are highly contagious and are easily spread by direct contact with infected cats or kittens. Some cats have ear mites but do not show any signs and thus may be the source of future infestations. Ear mites have a limited ability to survive in cats and in the environment.
Can Cat Ear Mites Spread to People?
Ear mites are not a major danger to humans, there are some reports of human infestations causing dermatitis following close contact with an infested animal, but this is rare. Primarily ear mites are highly contagious but only in cats (and some other pets such as dogs and ferrets).
How Are Ear Mites Diagnosed and Treated?
It is important to take your cat to the vet for a proper diagnosis, as the signs are quite similar to other ear infections. Treatment for a cat ear mite infestation usually involves cleaning the ears and removing debris and earwax buildup. Your vet will usually prescribe some ear drops to kill the mites. Additionally, a flea medication may be prescribed that also works against mites. All cats, dogs and ferrets in the household need to be treated.
What Are the Key Differences Between Yeast Infections and Ear Mites in Cats?
Ear mites can be difficult to distinguish from ear infections in cats based on the signs your cat is showing, but one of the main differences is the color and appearance of the discharge. If your cat has mites, the discharge is often dark brown to almost black, as it contains dried blood, debris, wax, and even the mites themselves. It is sometimes described as looking like coffee grounds. However, if your cat has a yeast infection, the discharge is usually darker brown or yellowish and may have an unpleasant odor caused by yeast overgrowth.
That said, due to the similarity of the signs of both conditions, and the fact that ear mites often lead to yeast infections (so both can be present at the same time), you will need to bring your cat to the vet for proper diagnosis and effective treatment.
Conclusion
Ear mites are a real nuisance for our feline companions because not only do they cause painful itching, but they can also lead to other issues including yeast infections if left untreated. Yeast infections are usually secondary to another underlying problem, so always call your vet as soon as you notice the first signs of an ear problem.
The sooner the problem is treated, the sooner your beloved cat can resume their regular activities without being bothered by the excessive irritation of their sensitive ears!
Featured Image Credit: Left (Yeast Infection) RJ22, Shutterstock, Right: (Ear mites) RJ22, Shutterstock
