Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/25/2009

Question
Hello, I am writing in a frenzy as I need some advice quickly. I have a cat, whose probably around six months old. He was a stray that I found, with his entire litter and mother, living under the gas pedal of a car in junk yard. I took them home and have been caring for 2 of the 4 of them. However, since I brought them home I noticed they had ear mites. I did what I needed to do, which was buying the necessary medication and cleaning out the ears. Recently, this particular cat, Frankenstein, has been having problems with his ears once again. While itching at his ear, he has created a rather large hole right behind his left ear. At first it was just missing some fur, then it appeared he had scratched of some skin, and now it is continuously bleeding. I have contacted my vet and was told to do baking soda with warm water. I have been doing that, but as the wound starts to harden and scab over,.. he continues to itch it and it begins to bleed and then I'm back at square one. I can only imagine that it's common sense to get antibiotic. Seeing as I am a full time college student, I do not have a lot of extra money to take him to the vet. Can you offer any advice/help/suggestions? I would really really appreciate it, as I know Frankenstein would as well.

Answer
It is difficult to cure ear mites with ear drops since the mites are also on the skin.  There is a topical product called REVOLUTION that may help the cat clear the ear mites from all over the body.  If there is an ear infection or a middle ear problem as well, the cat will continue to scratch.