Ear mites (Otodectes)
Ear mites are the most common cause of otitis in kittens and outdoor cats, producing dark, coffee-ground discharge and intense itching.
Cat Condition
Cat Ear Infection — Same-Day Online Treatment
Ear infections are painful and often recur without proper treatment. Get a same-day diagnosis from a licensed vet and prescription ear medication delivered next-day.
Licensed Vets
$65 Flat Fee
Same-Day Rx
24/7 Access
Understanding cat ear infections
Expert online care for cat ear infections
Licensed vet assessment of ear infection symptoms via secure video
Same-day appointments — most seen within 1–3 hours
Prescription ear drops and oral medications when clinically appropriate
$65 flat fee — no memberships or hidden charges
Your cat stays calm at home during the consultation
Guidance on proper ear cleaning and medication administration
Feline ear infections (otitis externa) occur when bacteria, yeast, or ear mites overgrow in the ear canal. They cause pain, head shaking, discharge, and odor. Underlying allergies, polyps, or foreign bodies often trigger recurrence.
Our licensed vets can assess ear infection signs via video, review discharge characteristics, and prescribe targeted ear drops — without the stress of restraining your cat at a clinic.
Common signs of cat ear infection we can help with
- Head shaking or tilting
- Scratching at one or both ears
- Dark, waxy, or foul-smelling discharge
- Redness inside the ear flap
- Sensitivity when ears are touched
- Balance problems or walking in circles
- Holding ear flat against head
- Hair loss around ears from scratching
What causes cat ear infection?
Ear infections in cats rarely occur in isolation — identifying the underlying trigger prevents recurrence.
Bacterial & yeast overgrowth
Moisture, allergies, and immune suppression allow bacteria (Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas) and Malassezia yeast to proliferate in the ear canal.
Underlying conditions
Allergies, polyps, foreign bodies, and anatomical abnormalities create chronic inflammation that predisposes cats to repeated infections.
How our vets diagnose it online
Our vets diagnose ear infections through symptom review and visual assessment of the ear canal during your video consultation.
- Assessment of head shaking, scratching, and balance on video
- Review of discharge color, odor, and consistency
- Discussion of one-sided vs. bilateral symptoms (polyps often affect one ear)
- Evaluation of pain response when ears are gently examined at home
- Recommendations for ear cytology or culture at your in-person vet if infections recur
Treatments we may prescribe
Based on your cat's ear infection type, our licensed vets may recommend:
Prescription ear drops (Otomax, Claro, Tresaderm)
Ear mite treatment (Revolution, Advantage Multi)
Antifungal ear medication for yeast infections
Oral antibiotics for severe or deep infections
Ear cleaning solution and technique guidance
Anti-inflammatory medication for pain and swelling
Allergy management if recurrent infections are allergy-driven
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Preventing cat ear infection
Check ears weekly for discharge, odor, or redness
Keep ears dry — especially after bathing or swimming
Treat underlying allergies to reduce chronic ear inflammation
Use prescription flea/mite prevention year-round
Avoid inserting cotton swabs deep into the ear canal
Why pet parents choose TelaVets
Licensed DVMs Only
Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.
$65 Flat Fee
One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.
Same-Day Appointments
Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.
Next-Day Prescriptions
When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.
Stress-Free Home Visits
Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.
Secure & Private
Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.
How TelaVets works
Book your consultation
Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.
Connect with a licensed vet
Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.
Get your treatment plan
Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.
What Our Pet Parents Say
Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
Related resources
Helpful reading and services from the TelaVets team.
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Frequently asked questions about cat ear infection
Yes. Our licensed vets can assess symptoms of ear infection via video consultation, review your cat's history, and provide a clinical assessment with a treatment plan.
Treatment depends on severity and cause. Our vets will create a personalised plan which may include prescription medications, dietary changes, or at-home care instructions.
Same-day appointments are usually available. Most pet owners are seen within 1–3 hours of booking.
Yes. If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue prescriptions same-day, with next-day delivery to your door.
If your cat shows severe distress, inability to breathe, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden collapse, seek emergency in-person care immediately. For other concerning symptoms, an online consultation is an excellent first step.
Get expert help for your cat's ear infection today
Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets