Cat keeps digging in ears, can I check for earmites myself?

It could also be caused by a food allergey. Ask your vet about that and you can also ask your vet about flushing out her ears with a solution of vinegar and warm water. This helps maintain the p h balance in her ears and washes out forigen debries.Good luck.

Sounds like reinfestation of ear mites. Allergies also case ear scratching so it appears wise to visit the vet and have the Vet check both of your cats' ears.

Try taking your two cats to the vet at the same time. Most vets offer a discount or even waive the cost of a brief exam for the second pet. I have also been blessed with vets who sometimes offer and administer Advantage or Frontline for free, but only during the exam. They get free samples that can only be given to the pet directly. Because this is a chronic problem, your vet will have enough experience and education to recognize several causes in addition to the mites themselves...your vet can help you much more quickly than by your trying to do this alone. Instead of focusing on the diagnosis, focus on the benefit of getting the overall problem treated by a vet visit. In the meantime, trim those nails! Also, try getting a brush or comb and distracting your cat from the scratching by five or ten minute sessions of brushing. Not only will this distract the cat, but also it offers some relief to the cat -- the pleasure of the grooming from you will strengthen him/her. Good luck with this!

Sound like ear mites to me. My cats get them alot. They're in the environment.
Make a smear on a clean slide, plain old water should work fine. Look for small leggy bugs - you can Google Images 'ear mites' and compare. Usually you can buy OTC ear mite medicine. If the infestation is really bad - get something from your vet.

After you put the drops in your cats' ears, they will shake their head - and the stuff goes flying. (yuck!) Let most of it drain out , then wipe it up with a VERY GENTLE ear swab, if they let you.
This may have to be done weekly or more often depending on the severity.

Good Luck!

I have to clean my cat’s ears weekly too. She is prone to ear infections and an antibiotic for your can only be prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. My vet prescribed medication to use weekly to help keep my cats ears from becoming infected and to make cleaning easier. I recommend you talk to your vet about how often to clean the ears, what products to use and have your vet teach you the proper way to clean the ears. Be very hands on when learning from your vet; try the technique your doctor showed you in front of your doctor in case questions arise while you try it.

Use medication only under veterinary supervision and even over-the-counter medication should be pre-approved by your vet. Your cat needs to be examined by a doctor. Petsmart's Banfield runs clinic hours every week where they waive the doctor visit fee. They are very reasonable in their prices on stuff, so if money is a problem they might be a solution over your regular vet.

If you tell your cat’s doctor that money is an issue, s/he will work with you to reduce your pet’s health care needs. All the vets I know will do that when asked. Let your cat’s doctor know that whenever possible you'd like a human equivalent drug so that you can fill it at a discount pharmacy like Costco. Let your cat’s doctor know that you'd like over-the-counter medications whenever possible but sometimes that won't always be possible like when your cat needs antibiotics.

Private pharmacy's are against federal law, so anyone can go to a warehouse club's pharmacy like Costco, Sam's Club and the others. Tell the people at the door checking for club cards that you are only going to the pharmacy. Call around before filling the prescription so you can find who has it cheapest. You can look up the pharmacy phone numbers online.

I hope your cat starts feeling better soon.