Your cat could have the unfailing capacity to hear when you're setting out their meal, but felines won't keep their incredible sense of hearing without some help. You can aid your cat in staying healthy by regularly conducting exams and cleanings, health measures that are all the more effective if you are aware of the symptoms of various ear conditions.

Here are a couple of exams you should perform once every week, making sure that debris and wax are not allowed to build up, and that any infection does not go undetected. First, let's address the outer ear, or the ear flap. This is more scientifically known as the "pinna". If your kitty has a healthy pinna, then they won't have any bald spots along the outer coat of hair. The inner lining should be spotless and a soft pink hue. You should take your cat to the vet, however, if you note:

• A discharge,
• Any redness, or
• Swollen spots

Moving onto the inner ear, you should conduct an assessment in a silent room, one free of any other pets. You will need to inspect the canal, so carefully pull back each ear in turn. You should see a soft pink, with no gunk and no smell, and there should be almost no wax. If earwax has piled up along the canal, or if you smell something nasty coming from the canal, you should make a veterinarian visit.

There are other signals that require the attention of a vet. This can include a kitty who is continually scratching around the ear, or who keeps shaking their head. If they are imbalanced or are having trouble hearing, if you see bleeding, or your cat's ear is sensitive to the touch, you should contact a veterinarian. What could these symptoms mean? Ear mites can be signaled by an accumulation of debris that rather looks like coffee grounds and the continual scratching at the ear. An ear infection could take place along the canal, signaled by redness and swelling, and it could mean anything from an allergic reaction to a genetic disease. Blood blisters, more formally called hematoma, mean that blood has built up in your cat's ear flap. This could further be a symptom of infection, ear mites, fleas, or more. Your cat might have a blood blister if they are scratching the ears or shaking their head a great deal.

On top of examinations, you can perform weekly ear cleaning. This can include using an ear cleaner recommended by your vet, putting some of the liquid on a cotton ball or strip of gauze. Carefully folding your cat's ear back, you can lift off the debris and wax underneath the ear. You don't want to scrub it in, and you also should not try to clean out the canal itself either, which could risk infection. Be sure to give your cat a treat when you're done.

If you have any questions about your cat's health, or if you are looking for the right veterinarian for your family, be sure to call one today!