TL;DR: Dried blood on a cat’s ear flap is typically a low-urgency condition caused by irritation or ear mites and should be evaluated by a vet within 48 to 72 hours. Seek immediate care if your cat exhibits head tilting, balance loss, or a foul odor from the ear.
What causes dried blood to appear on my cat’s ear flap?
- Dried blood often appears as dark, reddish-brown crusts or small black specks inside the ear flap.
- This usually happens when a cat scratches their ear excessively or shakes their head due to irritation.
- Common underlying causes include ear mites (which look like coffee grounds), minor skin infections, flea bites, or small scratches from grooming or play.
Is finding dried blood on my cat’s ear flap a medical emergency?
- The urgency level for dried blood on the ear flap is Low, as it is rarely an immediate medical crisis.
- You should monitor your pet and schedule a routine veterinary appointment within the next 48 to 72 hours.
- Contact a vet sooner if you notice a foul odor, significant discharge, or if your cat is tilting their head and losing balance.
How does taking a photo of my cat’s ear help with the triage process?
- Taking a clear, well-lit photo allows a veterinary professional to see the exact pattern of the blood and debris.
- Photos help distinguish between a simple surface scratch and a more complex parasitic infestation like mites.
- Providing visual evidence helps the vet determine how quickly your cat needs to be seen and what diagnostic tests might be required.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In cats, dried blood inside the ear can be caused by several factors. Ear canal tumors, more common in middle-aged to older cats, can manifest with unilateral chronic otic discharge that may be hemorrhagic, along with head shaking and ear scratching. Trauma can also result in hematoma development with blood filling the space between the skin and cartilage. Furthermore, feline demodicosis can present as pruritic otitis. Diagnostic investigation should include skin cytology from the external and inner pinnae, cytology of any exudates, hair trichograms and skin scrapings for Demodex, and ear swab cytology with mineral oil.
Chapter: Oncology, Otolaryngology, Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 534)