Cat Illnesses - Otitis

Otitis is an ear condition caused by any one of a range of cat problems such as ear mites, infection, tumours, allergies, trauma and hereditary defects.

Like other cat ear illnesses, otitis will have the cat shaking its head and scratching around the ears. There may also be redness and swelling in the ear canal, along with a discharge and a foul smell.

Treatment for feline otitis will depend on which of the cat problems causes the otitis. When caused by an allergy or tumour, the otitis treatment will be aimed at the whole cat, rather than just the ear, whereas if it is caused by a condition specific to the ear the treatment will generally be simpler and more direct.