How to Treat a Cat With Tresaderm for an Ear Infection

Tresaderm is a commonly-prescribed ear medication for cats.

Tresaderm is a popular topical liquid prescription medication for the treatment of ear infections in cats. It is normally used to treat bacterial or fungal infections, but is occasionally mixed with Ivermectin to treat ear mite infestations. The dosage may vary according to the condition, but a typical treatment involves putting five drops into the affected ear twice daily for about five days. Tresaderm should not be used for longer than one week.

Things You'll Need

• Tresaderm
• Ear cleaning solution
• Cotton balls
• Small towel
• Clean, dry cloth

Instructions

Medicating With Tresaderm

1. Keep Tresaderm in the refrigerator, and always shake it well before each use.

2. Clean the cat's ears prior to medicating. Using a cotton ball dampened with ear cleaning solution, gently wipe the inside and outside of the ear until no signs of debris remain. This allows the medication to have greater contact with the skin for maximum effectiveness. If excessive crust or debris is present, massage a few drops of cleaning solution directly into the ear canal and allow the cat to shake her head before wiping with a cotton ball.

3. Grip the tip of the ear between your thumb and forefinger, and gently pull up and out. This straightens and elongates the ear canal to help the medication reach deep inside.

4. Squeeze the prescribed number of drops directly into the ear canal one at a time. Accidentally putting in a couple of extra drops will not hurt the cat, but will waste medication.

5. Massage the base of the ear gently while keeping the tip of the ear extended. You may hear a gurgling sound as the medication works its way deep into the ear canal; this means you are doing it correctly.

6. Release the cat's ear and allow her to shake her head. Check her ears for more debris. Sometimes debris that had been stuck deep inside is released by the medicating process, and should be wiped off with a cotton ball.

7. Dry the cat's head. Occasionally, excess Tresaderm and ear cleaning solution will fly out of the ear when the cat shakes her head, posing a risk of eye irritation.

8. Wipe the tip of the Tresaderm bottle with a clean, dry cloth before putting it away. Debris and bacteria from the infection site can easily contaminate the tip, and can re-infect the ear during the next use.

9. Monitor the cat for allergic reaction if this is her first time using Tresaderm. Symptoms include swelling or irritation of the ear within 48 hours of the first application. The potential allergen in Tresaderm is neomycin, which very rarely produces a reaction in cats, but if a reaction does occur report it to your vet so he can prescribe a different medication.

Tips & Warnings

• If your cat struggles, try wrapping her tightly in a thick towel, with only her head sticking out. This immobilizes her and keeps her claws away from you.

• If the ear is very itchy, the cat may reflexively try to scratch it while you massage in the medication. Holding the back foot down will keep you from being scratched.

References

• Pet Care Rx: Tresaderm
• Animal Shelter: Tresaderm Information