Question:
My Persian cat is 16 and has developed a yeast infection in his ears. I have tried 3 different ear drops and pills but nothing is working. I desperatly want to relieve the symptoms for my poor kitty and get rid of this infection. The vet suggested changing his food or going to a specialist for an MRI and CAT scan but that is in the thousands of dollars in cost so I would rather try something else first. I am happy to change his food if necessary. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have suggestions for relief? Thanks!

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Did the vet not give you specific ear drops for the infection? My friends puppy had a yeast infection in her ears, AFTER the problem was resolved, she was told to feed plain unsweetened yogurt on a weekly basis as prevention. hope that helps, please keep us updated.

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Diet change has made the world of a difference with my dog, she hasnt had an infection for months now ( before the switch it was a monthly trip in for drops)
What are you feeding your cat right now?

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LynLyn- Yes I have had 3 different prescriptions for the yeast, none of which have worked. You mentioned feeding yogurt after the infection clears up. I am wondering why you say "after"? I would try feeding it to him if it might help. I just don't know if he would eat it.
Erykah- Right now I feed him Iams. I have fed him that his whole life. The vet said I could try different food that I would have to order through them that is made of exotic animals, like zebra or kangaroo. I know he could develop the allergy to his food, so I am not opposed to switching food. In the mean time, I just want to relieve the irritation of his ears because I can't stand seeing him irritated. I just feel so bad for him! How did you know your dog had allergies? I don't see any other sign of problem except the black yeast coming out of his ears and flipping his head around. He doesn't really scratch too much but does some.

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'm not sure exactly but the vet said it had something to do with keeping the good bacteria in their bodies at a good ph or a good level, it is a very good preventative measure. i think it's soothing if you give it to them while they have the infection, but i don't think it'll actally get rid of it.

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Actually I didnt know if it was allergies or not, I just figured that it was definately time to try different things, sure the vet drops were working good at relieving the yeast irritations, but it wasnt fixing the problem. More of a temporary fix.
You dont have to hop to expensive kangaroo meat and stuff like that, and your vet really has no reason to push the expensive foods that you have to buy from them.
As for the Iams... is this the formula you feed? ( Iams Origional)
Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Grits, Corn Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E, and Citric Acid), Fish Meal (source of fish oil), Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, Brewers Dried Yeast, Choline Chloride, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (source of vitamin B2), Inositol, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid], Calcium Carbonate, Minerals [Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Carbonate], Salt, Rosemary Extract.
It could be due to the corn in the food, perhaps just trying to remove that at first and see how things go. For Kita is was due to corn ( shes a dog though, im really not a pro on cat health issues, im just gonna assume the same things trigger for both here)

Perhaps Felidae or a food along those lines??
Heres the link for them. http://www.canidae.com/cats/cat_and_kitten/dry.html
Or even this one... Chicken soup ... http://www.chickensoupforthepetlover...t_cat_formula/
I dont have any real experience feeding these foods... I feed Acana ( http://www.championpetfoods.com/cats/adult_cat.aspx ) its not the best food out there for them, but for the amount of cats I have and the cost of the food, it makes sence here.

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I feel really stupid right now, i didnt even know that Innova had cat foods LOL
I personally am going to look into this a bit more for myself, but heres the link to the website to add to the list of links already posted.
http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=inn-home

Im sorry I still have no suggestions for relief though.

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Thanks so much to both of you for all of the helpful information. I am going to try some different foods and I am glad to hear there are other kinds that may work that do not have to be bought at the vet. I have 3 cats, 1 in kidney failure, 1 obese cat and 1 with a possible allergy. All different foods. Good thing I love them!

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