Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 3/29/2011

Question
I have a cat who is probably around 14-15 years old (she was a stray feral I rescued. So her age when I got her is unknown. I gestimate she was about 4-5 years old when I rescued her though)  I recently had her in due to a UTI. (She's completed the antibiotics and has been off of them for about 2 weeks now) The vet saw that her ears were what I would call dark pinkish. Normally they are white (as she is a black and white cat and her ear tips are mostly white). I asked the vet about this since it was something that was happening on and off.  I normally see it in the morning hours.  But they were nice and very pink then (agitated because she's also part feral).  The vet said that it's nothing of concern because her inner ears look good.  She said it could be from agitation or just blood pressure normally rising and falling. She said that it doesn't indicate anything health wise.  It just means that her blood vessels are open and more blood is circulating around.  And because she has white tipped ears I'm going to notice it more.  

I wondering if there could be other causes? The vet wasn't at all concerned about this, but when I do research on line some indicate it could be from blood pressure.  Just wondering if I I should be concerned about the pink ears or not. They are slightly warm to the touch too. She is not itching them at all or rubbing them, so I don't think it's from an allergy.  The pink ears have been occurring for the last several months now. I've never noticed it before that.

My vet wasn't concerned, but the red ears make me nervous (I've had two cats die from unknown causes so anything the least bit off I notice and start to worry about. Sometimes more than I should)  Otherwise she seems normal and happy.  

Should I be concerned and take her to a different vet for a second opinion or is it generally nothing to worry about?

Answer
It could be age related and when she is stressed it would make them more flush. However, she is no long a feral cat, being that feral means a domestic animal that has gone wild. Feral is not a breed but a state of being. After being yours for 10 yrs I would say the feral has fled from her! :-)
I bet she has been one grateful cat as a result. When a cat gets upset their eyes will dilate and their ears can get deeper red but it's not really blood pressure related.

Blood pressure is rarely an issue for cats unless they are having kidney or thyroid issues. Her blood pressure would have to be measured and most vets do not have the equipment to do this.

She would be exhibiting other symptoms if it was one of these issues, so it's most likely not a problem.

I would take your vets advice and just not worry about it at this point.