Healthy Cats

Ear Canal Infection (Bacterial Otitis Externa) in Cats

Yeast of Fungal Otitis Externa continued...

Signs and symptoms of a yeast infection are not nearly as pronounced as the infection caused by bacteria. The ear is inflamed and painful, but less so. Sometimes the ear will simply be red and moist in appearance. The discharge is dark and waxy but not purulent. A rancid odor is characteristic.

Yeast and fungus infections tend to recur, and treatment is often prolonged.

Treatment: Your veterinarian may want to do a swab to look at cells from the ear to determine the exact cause of the problem and to determine whether the problem has cleared, because stopping treatment beforehand (not just at the remission of signs) frequently results in relapse. Topical medications may need to be supplemented with oral medications.

Treatment is similar to the treatment for bacterial otitis, except that an antifungal agent (such as nystatin or thiabendazole) is used. Panolog, which contains nystatin, is effective against the yeast Candida albicans. Tresaderm, which contains thiabendazole, is effective against Candida and most other common yeast invaders. Miconazole solutions are commonly prescribed as well.