What are the causes of bleeding ears in cats?

Bleeding ears in cats may be caused by trauma, ear mite infection, fungal or bacterial infection, secondary otitis media, tumors, and other factors. If there are obvious injuries to the cat's ears, it is more likely caused by trauma. In this case, it is necessary to promptly handle the wounds. However, if there are no obvious injuries to the cat's ears, it is recommended to take the cat to a pet hospital for an endoscopic examination of the ear to determine the cause and treat accordingly.

1. Trauma

Trauma is the first consideration for bleeding ears in cats. As cats are naturally active, they may suffer from skin damage or vascular rupture in the ear canal during jumping and running, resulting in ear bleeding. To this, owners can carefully check if there are any wounds in the cat's ears. If so, it is necessary to clean the blood with physiological saline, disinfect with iodine solution, and apply an antibiotic ointment.

1. Ear Mite Infection

When cats are infected with ear mites, the mites crawl in the ear canal, causing itching, and the cat frequently scratches, leading to ulcers and bleeding in the ears. If the cause is ear mite infection, there will be a large amount of black secretions in the cat's ear canal. In this case, it is necessary to consult a pet doctor promptly, follow the doctor's advice, clean the cat's ear canal with a gentle ear cleaning solution, and apply medications for treating ear mites. After the ear mites are cured, the itching subsides, and the damaged ear canal gradually recovers.

1. Fungal or Bacterial Infection

Fungal or bacterial infections can cause inflammation of the skin in the cat's ear canal, leading to redness, ulcers, and other symptoms, which result in ear bleeding. In this situation, it is essential to take the cat to a pet hospital for inspection and treat accordingly after determining the specific cause.

1. Secondary Otitis Media

Ear mites, bacteria, and fungal infections can also cause secondary otitis media in cats. Cats with otitis media are also prone to frequent itching and scratching due to severe itching, leading to abrasions and bleeding. In this case, treatment should follow the principles of anti-inflammation, itch relief, and disease removal. Additionally, it is important to regularly clean the cat's ear canal and put an Elizabethan collar on the cat to prevent further scratching.

1. Tumors

If a tumor grows in the cat's ear, it can cause vascular rupture and bleeding when it ulcerates. This is a difficult situation to handle. It is recommended to take the cat to a pet hospital for related examinations to determine the tumor's size, location, and nature. If the tumor is benign, it can be treated with surgery and medication. If it is a malignant tumor, it is recommended to use medication for control and treatment.