HELP! What is this: dirty scabs on my cat's ear? *Pics*

[lelisabeth]

I don't know what this is on my cat's ear! It almost looks like it's making pieces of her ear flake off, or maybe that's just skin. Please help!!

 

[Katy]

Have the flies been chewing on her ears?

 

[ChickBond 007]

Ear mites?

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

flies or mites, honey. did you flea spot her?

 

[ranchhand]

Fleas, earmites or flies, in that order. It looks like dried blood from scratching, and I see some areas where the hair is gone.

Mine get like that from fleas or earmites, is there any dark, waxy material inside the ear? That usually indicates earmites.

 

[lelisabeth]

Well, I thought maybe fleas, but our dogs don't have fleas, they are treated for it monthly, and these cats NEVER go outside!! They don't even step one foot out the door! So I don't think it's flies either. I guess she still could have fleas, you think I should treat her for that? I have poultry powder for mites and lice, would that work on cats? I only see it on both of her ears, just at the ends of her ears. Yes, I believe the hair is coming off of her ears. I put some neosporin on her ears, hoping she doesn't try to lick it off. I'll check for earmites and report back shortly....

Thank you all for your responses, by the way!

ETA: I forgot that my picture was taken outside. Sorry, that's probably why you thought flies, but I took her outside to take the picture, it was too dark inside. I was holding her in the picture.

One more thing, her ears are usually all pink with white fur on them, they are never discolored like this.

 

[lelisabeth]

No earmites, the inside of her ears look perfectly clean.

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

Could she have gotten sun burnt.. And now it is just the scabs coming off.. Just an idea..

 

[lelisabeth]

Quote:
Good suggestion since it's just on the tips where there isn't much hair, but she is never in direct sunlight. Being in the house all the time, she can't seem to find the sun. In the city, I can't even grow plants in the house because our house is so close to all the neighbors!

 

[bantamsrus]

Usually that is associated with ear mites--the ears don't necessairly have to look extremely dirty. You'd only be able to see the mites under a microscope. It could also be a flea allergy.

Either way both are treatable with Revolution.