Should I go to the vet?

[ExpectingaRedhead]

My cat has this brownish-blackish gunk in his ears which I am pretty sure is ear mites. There is too much for it to be wax. So do I need to take him to the vet for ear mites or can I treat it myself?

[Savas]

Well, that's right then. i recognize the drops, and it is used for what I referred to, i suppose the outcome is the same result.

Unfortunately this is one of those situations where what you're doing is about all you can do. If it's a true allergy, trying to track down what's causing it can be impossible. (Did you know cats can be allergic to flea/mite bites?!?!)
Generally the only way to try to track down an allergic reaction is to start methodically going through EVERYTHING you feed the cat and everything product wise the cat comes into contact (right up to carpet powder and your perfume) with. Remove an item or two and wait a week and see what happens.
So....you can see why it's almost impossible. It would take a dedicaton and amount of work that could take months (years!), and you may not even get a positive result! Which is why it's so bloody hard to diagnose...

[ExpectingaRedhead]

Well, I know that they did a cytology, whatever that is. They just swabbed a bit of the wax to analyze it I guess. They gave us Tresaderm ear drops. The vet also told us if we wanted to clean the ears to use the vinegar/water solution. We cleaned his ears the other day and they look clear for now. I did notice myself that it was pretty waxy until it dried, so I'm hoping it is just wax and that it is just allergies. What else can we do, you know?

[Savas]

That was... "I'm not saying it ISN'T the right medication..."

[Savas]

...That doesn't sound right. I'm not saying it's the right medication (drops are appropriate, I can guess which type) but "ear wax" build up isn't generally an allergic reaction. The brownish black description suggested a mild chronic ear infection. (But...I don't like to state that at first since I can't see it, and depending on texture it could be wax or infectious discharge).

I was guessing at "otitis media" ear infection on this one. It's a chronic problem and commonly misdiagnosed (partly because it's so difficult to spot and treat). The radical treatment for this problem if it's recurring and a severe problem is a surgery called a "bulbectomy"...which...is best avoided as a last resort.

I'd say continue with the ear drops and clean the ear occassionally with a half and half mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. I don't think I would use vinegar...I'm not familiar with that form of cleaning, but if sheridan_in_the_army has a vet referral on that type of cleaning, i'm not one to contradict.
I would use a bulb syringe in either case, as you don't want to rub and further risk further aggravating it IF it is his type of infection.

If it is this, kitty can live a long, happy and productive life despite it (although at times irritated. But...cats are generally irritated at SOMETHING, so... :)  )

[ExpectingaRedhead]

Grrrr...so we took him to the vet this past Saturday and it turns out it's just allergies. Does that make sense? We had to pay $100 for them to look at his ears and tell us that. I swear vets are like lawyers!!!!

They gave us some $20 ear drops too. We are just going to use those and do the water/vinegar thing to clean them out.

[sheridan_in_the_army]

Ear mites, by itself, usually looks more like dried coffee grinds then something "gunky". Cats will almost always scratch at their ears more with mites, then with a standard yeast/bacteria infection. DON'T use a Q-tip...that may force the gunk further down the ear canal. You can make a home ear cleaner....equal parts of white vinegar and water, cleaning the ears once a day with a cotton ball. As much as I hate to say it, a vet visit for a first time infection is usually a good thing. (Sort of like a vaginal yeast infections with women....the first time you want to be sure it is what it is....after that you can usually take care of any recurring infections at home).

[Savas]

Take a bit of the gunk and spread it on a black/dark piece of paper. The mites are tiny little white specks.

You can clean the gunk out (carefully, not deep) with a q-tip. After that...if your cat hasn't clawed it's way free...you can use the mite remedy from the pet store.

But it's much easier to have a vet treat it if you can afford the trip. :)

[babyplz]

I would call your vet first, maybe they can tell you what to do to treat it yourself.  My vet is pretty good about that.