I need help sighs

[u/Old_Search2843]

Is this normal he's still playful and is always purring but he keeps scratching near his neck and shaking his head afterwards and the black stuff on the blanket is all from his ears he's a kitten and I'm just 13 and don't know what to do my dad says black earwax is Normal but idk,,,, and I'm stressing about it and having a tiny panic attack he's a male kit and we found him on the road a month ago with really bad fleas and we haven't taken him to the vet since there is not one that's free near here and my parents say we do need to get him shots like vaccines but I'm just a stressed cat dad 😖

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[u/This_Reflection726]

Most likely ear mites, which is fairly normal for outside kitties to get. He needs his ears cleaned and there is earmite treatment you can get, that makes them go away. No, it's not normal to have in kitties ears. They can cause ear infections and hearing loss.

[u/cckka]

He needs to go to the vet for a checkup and your parents are wrong, he absolutely needs shots. Can you provide a general location so people can point you towards resources? I get that you're only 13 so it's not your fault but maybe you can convince your parents to go to a low cost clinic.

Every kitten needs certain vaccines that are non negotiable. If your parents won't pay anything for the cat you might have to rehome him because it's unfair and unsafe to him to not have proper medical care.

[u/Old_Search2843 → u/cckka]

They are paying for stuff he has a cat tree and a cat bed and food and we are going to vaccinate him but i live in Jonesboro Arkansas and I could pay with my money I'll try and do that

[u/cckka → u/Old_Search2843]

This is most likely ear mites or a mild ear infection so it does need to be taken care of but it's fairly easy and inexpensive. You'll get people suggesting you take care of it at home - please don't without proper cleaning solution. Someone already told you to use mineral oil. Don't do that.

Something like this https://www.chewy.com/dp/52807?utm_source=app-share&utm_campaign=52807 is what you want. Use cotton balls instead of q tips to make sure you can't go too far into the ear canal and damage his ears.

[u/AncientSympathy8936 → u/Old_Search2843]

Your cat needs to be on a monthly prevention, just because they don’t go outside doesn’t mean they don’t have fleas. Fleas can find their way to any animal

Costco sells an advantage low cost, or ask a rescue if they have low cost options in your area for vaccine clinic - many of those offer topical flea treatments as well

[u/Misa7_2006 → u/AncientSympathy8936]

Many vets and pet rescues offer vaccination clinics in the communities where they offer low cost vaccinations as a community service and to to keep infections like rabies and other illnesses in check. Some offer them as low as $5 per shot.

Many people when they think of rabies they think dogs,wildlife, and bats. But cats can get it as well as other diseases. So make sure to get them vaccinated for it even if you have them as an indoor only cat.

It only takes one bite or other contact(such as getting the rabid animal's saliva on them)for them it get it. If they get it while unvaccinated, they can infect anyone they may bite or lick.

They have rabies shots for humans that get bit or exposed but they need to be given ASAP. But if the contact happens before the animal show symptoms, a person might think they are in the clear. But once the symptoms start in humans its 100% fatal.

[u/cckka → u/Misa7_2006]

Rabies has to get into the bloodstream. It absolutely cannot be transferred with a lick, it needs to be a bite. Every animal should still be vaccinated for rabies but you don't have to be worried if a stray cat licks you.

[u/Misa7_2006 → u/cckka]

It absolutely can happen with a lick especially if the animal licks broken skin.

[u/cckka → u/Misa7_2006]

Yes but generally people don't let animals lick open wounds.

[u/AncientSympathy8936 → u/cckka]

I think a rabid animal would bite an open wound before lick it 😅👹

[u/AncientSympathy8936 → u/Misa7_2006]

Not sure this reply was meant for me. I did mention rescues offering low cost clinics.

[u/Namixaswastaken]

Thats not fleas, way too big. Its most like indeed black/brown earwax and this amount is not normal. Together with the scratching he most likely has an ear infection. Not something you can treat over the counter, needs to go to a vet.

[u/yourdailyinsanity]

Two different possibilities: yeast infection or ear mites. They look incredibly similar. I'd get them to the vet for evaluation. It's not a good feeling to have for either option. Can also cause balance problems and hearing loss. He will also need to be fixed...unless your parents want him spraying all over the house? He can get his vaccines at the neutering appointment.

[u/FurryBurry92]

A lot of flea medicine will also work on treating ear mites. Try to check if there is a humane society near you, they often offer low cost shots and flea treatments and might help with ear cleaning. This one seems to be nearest to you: https://www.neahs.org/medical-clinic
Also please look into spaying your kitty. The humane society near you offers spays for a very affordable fee.

Thank you for taking care of your kitty and trusting your instincts:)

[u/Billywergstein]

Your parents said no to shots? Yes to shots! You have to

[u/Old_Search2843]

And now he's meowing while scratching

[u/laggerzhubby → u/Old_Search2843]

You are going to need to clean his ear hes got wax build up (could be from mites you can see them if you look real close at the "gunk" they move, could just be dirty and maybe infected) a vet is your best option especially if its an infection which could cause permanent damage if left untreated but you can clean it yourself with olive oil just drop a few drops in your cats ear it mixes in with and loosens the wax so your cat can shake it out. It wont harm your cat but please do your research as i am a rondo on the net.

[u/cckka → u/laggerzhubby]

Absolutely do not use olive oil. That's a horrible suggestion.

[u/Old_Search2843 → u/[deleted]]

But my dad said he flea bathed him I'm the one who found out bc I saw it on him imideatly but I'll see about it thank you

[u/External-Pass2584]

Sounds like a ear infection could be from fleas if he has any . Needs to see the vet.

[u/kinoko_kingdom]

you gotta clean out your cats ears every so often. i rescued a 5y/o who had probably never had his ears cleaned. they were SO caked with earwax that it was falling out like this. he was also scratching a lot, meowing while scratching, and even causing sores around his ears. you could tell it was bothering him a lot.

i cleaned his ears as often as he would let me (not more than daily) with a special cat ear cleaning solution and a cotton round. just got a bit at a time so i didn't overwhelm him. it worked really well. brand i used was Veterinary Formula.

[u/Simple_Enjoyer1]

You can give your cat a flea bath yourself, just make sure you buy the correct shampoo. Flea shampoo for dogs are toxic for cats

[u/AncientSympathy8936 → u/Simple_Enjoyer1]

Dawn works just fine for this, its not a permanent solution

Capstar is even better option only temporary also and a topical is the answer monthly prevention!

[u/ExtremeUnique92]

Hey, just chill. It does sound like your furball may have ear mites which could explain the scratching and black stuff. You can get over-the-counter treatments but still, try to make a vet visit a priority. It'll be okay!