My cat is 1 yr. old and she keeps sores directly
behind both ears, she also scratches this area
alot. She has had this case since she was a
kitten. What causes sores in this area?And could
this be some sort of fungal issue?

Angela
Maysville, GA

Several syndromes can cause skin lesions adjacent to the ears.

In kittens and young adult cats, ear mites are common culprits. Ear mites, as the name implies, infest the ears. They cause excessive ear wax production and make the ears intensely itchy. Affected cats sometimes scratch so fiercely that they traumatize the skin behind their ears.

Ear infections and foreign objects (such as foxtails) lodged in the ears may cause itching and self trauma as well.

Allergies can cause skin problems. Cats that are allergic to food, fleas or environmental agents such as pollen or detergents may develop sores on the face or head. Rarely, autoimmune syndromes can cause sores in the areas you mention.

Finally, skin infections with bacteria or fungus can cause hair loss. In particular, a fungal infection called ringworm often strikes young cats on or near the ears. Ringworm is contagious to people.

Your cat needs to see a veterinarian. In most cases, vets easily are able to sort out the nature of problems such as you describe.

Photo: Mocha’s ears and face look healthy.

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My cat gets ear mites and he passes it on to my
inside cat. I have read some home remedy books and
they said to try baby oil. I did. It helped a
little. Do you have any inexpensive methods to
use?

Skylar
Baldwin, PA

In my experience, you get what you pay for with ear mite treatments.

Ear mites are parasitic organisms that, as the name implies, infest the ears of cats and dogs. Ear mites cause intense itching. Pets with ear mites may have red, swollen ears that are clogged with dark wax. Ear mites are contagious.

Ear mites can be very frustrating. But they need not be. A number of home remedies, such as mineral oil or baby oil, are touted as ear mite treatments. But in my experience such over-the-counter antidotes don’t work very well.

The good news is that there are several safe and effective treatments for ear mites. The bad news: you’ll have to go to the vet to get them.

First, it is important to confirm that your cats have ear mites. Ear infections may be clinically indistinguishable from ear mite infestations. To confirm that mites are present, your vet may need to examine debris from the ears under a microscope.

Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the vet can prescribe a medication such as Revolution or Advantage Multi to deal with the problem. Both cats will need treatment initially. Once the mites have been eliminated, you may only need to treat the cat that goes outside.

Although a trip to the vet may not be fun, in the long run it is likely to save you and your cats from a great deal of suffering.

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Dear Dr Barchas-

Diana
Charleston, WV

Based on your description of the problem and your kitten’s background, your kitten most likely is suffering from ear mites. Ear mites are parasites that cause itching, scabbing, and wax around the ears. They are common in kittens–especially kittens that come from less-than-perfect backgrounds.

Before I go further, I should say that if you can possibly manage it your kitten will definitely benefit from a veterinary checkup. The vet will be able to assess the ears, as well as perform a general health evaluation. Kittens that are born in barns frequently are infested with intestinal worms that may be contagious to human beings. And kittens needs shots to prevent deadly diseases such as feline panleukopenia virus (also known as feline distemper). So, plan A is to see a vet. No doubt about it. The vet can prescribe a medicine such as Revolution or Advantage Multi that will eliminate ear mites as well as intestinal worms. And she or he can vaccinate your kitten.

If going to a vet is absolutely out of the question there are other, albeit inferior, options.

Some pet stores sell over-the-counter ear mite medicines. These medicines are not as safe or effective as the ones that vets can prescribe, but they might help with the ear problem. Most of these medicines need to be applied daily for at least a month.

As well, over-the-counter dewormers are offered at some pet stores. Like the ear mite medicines, they often are not as safe or effective as the ones that your vet can provide. They also are not as effective at preventing spread of the parasites to humans.

And then there is the issue of shots. In many states, you can buy vaccines at pet or feed stores and administer them yourself. Kittens should receive at least two (preferably three) vaccines against panleukopenia at three or four week intervals.

If you work hard and are resourceful, you may be able to tackle your kitten’s problems on your own. But in the long run, it may be less expensive (and certainly more convenient) to go to the vet. And there is no doubt whatsoever that a veterinary checkup would be in your kitten’s best interest. If it is at all possible, then please do it.

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