Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey knowledgeable recommendation instantly from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new puppy guardian or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions on your maximum urgent questions. From diet pointers and preventive care to troubleshooting commonplace behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that may stay your kitty glad, wholesome, and tom cat advantageous. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steering on a spread of subjects that subject maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll make knowledgeable selections and give you the easiest imaginable maintain your bushy spouse.
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Lend a hand! How Do I Know if My Hepper Has Ear Mites!
“Mr. Weasley, my cat, assists in keeping scratching at his ears and has led to them to bleed externally. I’ve seemed within his ears, and he has one thing black within. His listening to is ok; he can pay attention the rest, particularly the dinner bowls. I don’t know if it’s ear mites, however now not certain the right way to deal with or blank them.“- Virginia
Hello Virginia,
What you’re describing in Mr. Weasley may be very in line with ear mites, particularly the mix of intense itching and that darkish, crumbly subject matter that continuously seems like espresso grounds. Cats can nonetheless pay attention completely effectively for the reason that downside is frustrating the ear canal fairly than blockading sound. The worry here’s the self-trauma, when scratching ends up in bleeding, it tells us the discomfort is essential, and the surface barrier is already compromised.
Even supposing ear mites are a commonplace purpose, different stipulations like yeast or bacterial ear infections can glance very equivalent, and the remedies are slightly other. For this reason, the most secure and best manner is to have a veterinarian verify the prognosis with a snappy ear swab. Within the intervening time, keep away from the usage of cotton swabs within the ear or making use of over the counter merchandise, as those can aggravate inflammation or push particles deeper. He for sure wishes in-person veterinary care to get to the bottom of this totally.
As soon as correctly recognized, remedy is normally easy and really efficient, continuously involving topical or spot-on drugs that still give protection to towards reinfestation. Recall to mind it like clearing out each the “invaders” and the surroundings they thrive in. With recommended care, his ears will have to heal effectively, and the itching will settle briefly.
Type regards,
– Dr. Paola
Lend a hand! My Hepper Has Evolved a Spot on Her Nostril!
“Our puss cat is just about 14 years outdated and is in superb well being, typically. Then again, during the last few days, she has evolved a bit of freckle on her white nostril. It doesn’t really feel raised or glance sore. It’s only a brown dot. It does appear to have gotten somewhat larger, however nonetheless handiest tiny. I’d say it’s not more than 1–2 mm large. It appears to be like larger as her nostril is white, so it sticks out.
I ponder when you have any concept what this may well be, please? Thanks on your assist.” – Linda & Snickets
Hi Linda,
Snickets appears like a gorgeous senior lady, and it’s nice to listen to she’s differently doing effectively. A small, flat brown spot on a light-colored nostril can now and again be one thing benign, akin to higher pigmentation, which is a little like a “freckle” growing with age. In cats, that is continuously known as lentigo, and it may possibly seem at the nostril, lips, or eyelids, particularly as they grow older. Those spots are usually flat, well-defined, and now not related to discomfort.
That stated, with white or frivolously pigmented noses, we all the time keep a bit of extra wary as a result of those spaces are extra delicate to solar publicity and, through the years, can broaden extra critical stipulations like early pores and skin most cancers. The truth that it sort of feels to have grown, even somewhat, makes it value tracking intently. A useful manner is to take a transparent picture now and examine it over the following couple of weeks, looking at for adjustments in measurement, form, texture, or if it turns into raised, ulcerated, or annoyed.
When you realize any development, or just for peace of thoughts, given her age, having your veterinarian take a better glance is the most secure step, as they may be able to read about it with magnification and come to a decision if additional checking out is wanted. Within the intervening time, proscribing robust solar publicity, particularly all over top hours, can assist give protection to that refined pores and skin, similar to protective truthful human pores and skin from solar injury. I am hoping this is helping!
– Dr. Paola
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Lend a hand! My Hepper Has Arduous Fur Clumps!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
“What is the best way to take hard fur off your cat without hurting him?” – Sussane
Good day Susanne,
What you feel is in all probability disheveled fur fairly than the hair changing into “hard.” Those mats shape when unfastened hairs and herbal pores and skin oils tangle and compress through the years, virtually like wool felt. As they tighten, they may be able to pull at the pores and skin beneath, which is why some cats change into delicate or uncomfortable while you contact the ones spaces.
The kindest technique to manner that is to be very mild and intentional. If the mat is small and nonetheless a little cushy, you’ll cling the bottom of the fur with regards to the surface to forestall pulling, then slowly paintings it aside with a wide-tooth comb or a dematting instrument. That is very similar to retaining a knot to your personal hair ahead of brushing it out; it reduces rigidity at the pores and skin. Then again, if the mat feels tight, dense, or sits very with regards to the surface, it is important to to keep away from the usage of scissors to chop mats at house, even though it sort of feels just like the fastest answer. A cat’s pores and skin is skinny and strikes simply with the fur, virtually like material that shifts beneath your hands, so it is vitally simple to by chance minimize the surface with out knowing it. Many accidents occur this fashion, even with calm cats. This is the reason, for tight mats, cautious clipping with correct equipment by means of a veterinarian or skilled groomer is the most secure and maximum humane manner.
– Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
Learn ultimate week’s questions right here: April 27, 2026
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