Why won't my cat's chronic ear infection clear up after vet visits?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 8.5 lbs
Since August my poor cat has had an issue with one ear that is causing her to scratch her face under the ear opening until it is a bleeding wound. I have had her to the vet and each time they give her different antibiotic ear drops but none have done anything. I have also tried hypoallergenic food with no results. This is about the third time this has happened and each time in the same ear, but in the past it has cleared up in a week or two... I'm at my wits end and desperate to help her
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 18th, 2019
The discharge inside the ear needs to be cultured so you can know what is growing in the ear canal - what bacteria, yeast, etc. That way the vet will know what medication to use to get it to clear up. The ear may also need to flushed out under anesthesia. There must be an underlying cause. Cats typically don't get ear infections chronically like dogs. It is not likely to be a food allergy. More testing needs to be done.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on January 17th, 2018
I'm sorry that Junior is having this problem. The first step is to make sure that the infection is completely resolved. Your vet may have to do an ear cytology and look under the microscope for that. If Junior is having recurrent ear infections, the most common reason for ear infections in dogs is allergies. Those can be environmental or food allergies. Allergies can be managed, but not cured which is why dogs will have frequent flare ups of ear problems. I am attaching links to handouts on ear infections and allergies in dogs below. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=632 https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2604 I would recommend discussing this with your veterinarian and decide on the next step for Junior. That may involve a culture of the ear canal, regular ear cleanings, additional allergy testing, allergy medications, a food trial or even a referral to a veterinary dermatologist. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Junior feels better soon. Thanks for using PetCoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on June 24th, 2018
I am sorry to hear that Apollo is so uncomfortable. Significant ear infections such as what you describe can take weeks to months to completely resolve. I would expect slow improvement daily. I typically see these patients back every 10-14 days until the infection is completely resolved. Best of luck and I hope he is more Comfortable soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on January 13th, 2018
Oh goodness. That looks like a severe, chronic infection. These can take weeks to months to resolve, and sometimes there is an underlying problem causing it such as an allergy. I would recommend a follow up appointment with your veterinarian that dispensed the medication. Typically I treat with topical medications and sometimes oral steroids as well. I recheck these ears every 10-14 days until they are resolved. Best of luck and I hope you find a veterinarian who will work with you long term on this. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
2 mos ago I took my cat to the vet because her ear was twitching excessively & she kept scratching it. Vet said it was nothing & 2 wks later she was scratching again. I took her again & he said she had a ruptured ear drum but that it was healing on i
My dog continues to have ear issues despite changing diet and ear drops from the vet
I clean his ears all the time and also have gotten medication from a vet but it haven’t seemed to work and other vets we Have went to said there isn’t an issue and just to keep cleaning it... what should I do
My cat is prone to ear infections and has been getting them since she was a kitten (she is 2 years old now?). My vet said she has a severe ear infection in the right ear, a mild one in the left. He prescribed Canaural ear drops - something I have use
My cat has been scratching her ears more often than usual and te inside of her ear looks wet. A few weeks ago I took her to the vet and they put a medication in her ear and I gave her oral antibiotics for 10 days, but it’s been a while and her ears s
Hello, my cat has had this problem with it’s ears for a year or so now and I want to know what it is and how to make it better, thanks.
My cat is scratching her left ear really badly. We took her to the vet earlier this summer and they didn't find anything and simply gave us a steroid Well she's back at it and I had to put her cone back on I hope you can help.. The vet said it wasn't
My dog has had a really bad ear infection for years, they’ve given him medicine that we gave to him until it ran out but they never got better. If something could be done to fix it what would it be and how much would it cost? He has issues hearing as
17 yrold cat falls over, seems related to weakness in front legs. Vet discovered ear infection. 2 weeks of antibiotics seemed to clear it, but after it comes back. She's got poor balance, not responding when called, eats & goes to bathroom normally--
My cat has ear inflammation that's repeating several times every year,the vet have perscribed different many things,but they helped only temporarily,the most effective were surolan drops but they content prednisolone and I'm little concerned should I
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
