Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. However, before determining which medication should be used to treat the infection, the veterinarian will assess the eardrum to ensure that it is intact, since certain medications should not be used if the eardrum is ruptured or destroyed.
After diagnosis of the otitis, the veterinarian will perform a thorough cleaning of the ears and evaluate the eardrum to see if it is intact. Some cats will need sedation or general anesthesia before the examination and cleaning can be done, since most cats will have great sensitivity in their ears and will not allow their ears to be handled or examined.
Owners who clean the cat's ears at home should never use cotton tipped applicators because these can do more harm than good. The use of warm, sterile saline can be used instead to gently flush and clean out the ears. The veterinarian will be able to describe a proper cleaning regime that is best for the individual cat's situation.
