I've been dealing with this problem intermittently for over a year now. I've taken my girl in maybe a half a dozen times and they haven't found a solution yet. They've used steroids and even an antibiotic injection and a steroid cream on her ears thinking it was a bacterial infection but even then, after the steroids wore off the waxy build up came back.

The wax builds up in her ears and it gets black and dries out deep in the ear. I've used a cleaner to control it but nothing has made it go away. Ive also tried limited ingredient foods without chicken or grains but that doesn't work either. I'm running out of options and I'm willing to do almost anything at this point. Even ideas on what this is would help because none of the vets I've gone to can figure it out.

We've got a moggie with the same problem, our vet said it's basically too much yeast in his system that causes the build up. We haven't found a way to prevent it, we use an ear wash liquid at least once a week and if we notice he's still getting buildup we clean his ears out.

_________________
Dallas, TX USA
Diesel - snow Bengal born 09/01/2013 adopted Feb 2014
Tuck, Chloe, Buddy, Lewis & Tia - rescue kitties
Clyde, Bleu & Coal - Great Danes

I personally have a problem with wax buildup in my right ear! I'd ask your vet if using human drops that clear up the wax might be used on your kitty -- just a drop of two! It's really aggravating and I tend to forget that I'm supposed to use the drops until I literally cannot hear out of that ear! The drops break down the was and it drains out wherever the wax is supposed to drain out. There are other homemade remedies that people use as well, and you might ask your vet about trying that (baby oil, etc). Google for information.

Can this be dangerous if left untreated? What is the "worst" that can happen? I've been treating it unsuccessfully for a while and I'm worried there may be lasting effects because I haven't been able to control it effectively.

Well, if left untreated, the wax will continue to build up and it may affect your kitties hearing. Will the eardrum burst? I don't know. Perhaps google the information. At any rate, a vet can remove the excess wax and let you know what you need to do to prevent it from happening again. Your cat is not the first and only cat to have excess wax buildup. I'm sure it's treatable.

Thanks for the reply sherry. She's been to the vet for this multiple multiple times. At least 4 or 5 times. She's been treated with steroids, which works but not as a long term solution. She's been given an ear wash which fixes things temporarily. And the last thing I remember is she was given an antibiotic shot along with a dose of steroids and it eventually came back.

One vet recommended an allergy sensitive diet as her food (for months now). I've cheated on the diet one or two times with certain treats (Bc that's all I had around), but from what I can tell a couple weeks should clear up the food allergy and she's been on multiple bags of allergy free food, all to no avail.

I'm not opposed to taking her to the vet. I don't have spending limits for her care and my grocery bill, but it the vet isn't helping I don't see the use of going back at some point. Now, if someone tells me there's more solutions out there to try, I'm all ears. But... I feel at this point I'm at the "home care treatment" phase of something she's gonna be dealing with the rest of her life.

Based on what I've read in my quick Google search, you can use warm olive oil (very small amount) and massage the ear for about a minute. Cats do not like to get their ears irrigated. Perhaps if you do this regularly, the wax build up won't be as bad! In humans, the wax discharges and we don't feel a thing. I have had to go to a health clinic to have a chunk of wax removed from my ear when I could no longer hear. You just don't know that it's happening. I know vet visits aren't cheap but usually there are home remedies you can utilize. I read allergies can also cause this excess buildup.

You're doing the right thing ... let us know what you find out.