Why does my cat growl when I clean her right ear but not her left?

There is a mild amount of discharge but no external signs of inflammation or infection. This discharge could be even considered normal. Ear canal should be ideally inspected inside (with an otoscope by your vet) to make sure there are no infections deeper inside.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. The odor you are smelling could be due to an ear infection or ear mites. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine the ears so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to see well in the pictures. This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If Mimi is scratching one ear more than usual, it is likely that she has an ear infection. Ear infections can be bacterial and/or fungal in origin. If left untreated, simple external ear infections can progress to middle or inner ear infections, leading to vestibular disease or even central nervous system signs. I recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian to have Mimi checked for an ear infection. He/she will likely perform an ear cytology, meaning he/she will swab her ear and look at the material under a microscope. This way, your veterinarian can look for evidence of bacteria and/or yeast and treat her accordingly. I hope this is helpful!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! She could have dirty ears, it could be ear mites, or there could be an infection. I recommend taking her to a vet to find out and get her treatment if needed. Purring can mean multiple things- happy, painful, worried. The only way to know would be for a vet to check her out and make sure she’s not in any pain. I bet she is probably happy to be inside and being taken care of. Congrats on the new kitten!

Yes you should take Lani to your veterinarian for an exam. You are doing a good job with your care but I don’t like the look of that red area in the ear from the picture. They will check to see if there’s something in the ear causing the problem and can treat the growth and ear infection. She could have a mass that will need to be removed. This looks uncomfortable so continue with your treatment but get her in soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lani.

Poor Spookette! It sounds like she may have a pretty bad ear infection. Ear infections can be due to mites, bacteria, or yeast in cats. I'd recommend scheduling an examination with a veterinarian so Spookette can have her ears checked out. A swab can be taken from the ears and evaluated under the microscope to determine if the cause is mites, bacteria, or yeast. She will likely need prescription ear medication to treat. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Spookette's ear issue resolves quickly!