CATS · Real veterinary cases
My cat keeps scratching ears and shaking head help
A pet owner asked our search engine this exact question. We pulled 8 matching peer-reviewed veterinary case reports from our library of published veterinary papers. Here's what they say — in plain English, with citations.
Plain-English synthesis
## What these cases have in common The cases primarily involve ear infections in cats caused by parasites, particularly ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) and other parasites like Notoedres cati and Demodex cati. Symptoms include severe itching, head shaking, and ear discharge, which align with your cat's symptoms. ## Treatments that worked - **Imidacloprid and Moxidectin**: This topical treatment was effective in multiple cases (3 of 8) for eliminating ear mites and alleviating symptoms. - **Oridermyl Ointment**: Used in 1 case, this combination treatment addressed both the ear mites and secondary bacterial and fungal infections, leading to significant improvement. - **Ivermectin**: Administered in one case, this treatment showed effectiveness against ear mites, particularly in reducing their numbers quickly. - **Topical Antiparasitics**: Various topical treatments were successful in multiple cases (5 of 8), indicating that addressing the underlying parasitic infection is crucial. ## Outcomes Most treatments reported success in alleviating symptoms and resolving infections, particularly those targeting ear mites. Overall, the treatments were effective in the majority of cases reviewed. ## Next step Bring these specific cases to your vet to discuss whether any sound like your pet's situation.
Conditions worth asking your vet about
These are the specific named diagnoses a vet would typically investigate for this presentation — not categories like “metabolic disorder”, but the actual conditions you can mention by name.
Otitis externa (ear infection)
Otitis externa is an inflammation of the outer ear canal, often caused by bacteria, yeast, or ear mites. Cats with this condition frequently scratch their ears and shake their heads due to discomfort. A vet can diagnose this with an ear examination and cytology.
Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis)
Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal and cause intense itching and irritation. They are a common cause of ear scratching and head shaking in cats. Diagnosis is typically made by examining ear debris under a microscope.
Allergic dermatitis
Allergic dermatitis occurs when a cat's skin reacts to allergens like pollen, food, or fleas. This can cause itching and discomfort around the ears. A vet may perform allergy testing or recommend a hypoallergenic diet to identify the cause.
Foreign body in ear canal
A foreign body, such as a grass seed or small object, can become lodged in the ear canal, causing irritation and prompting the cat to scratch and shake its head. A vet can identify and remove the foreign body during an ear examination.
Aural hematoma
An aural hematoma is a blood-filled swelling in the ear flap, often resulting from trauma due to excessive scratching or head shaking. It can cause discomfort and requires veterinary intervention to treat.
Polyp in ear canal
Polyps are benign growths that can develop in the ear canal, causing irritation and leading to scratching and head shaking. They are often diagnosed with an otoscopic exam or imaging and may require surgical removal.
Easily confused with: Flea allergy dermatitis · Contact dermatitis · Bacterial skin infection · Yeast infection
Real peer-reviewed cases
Each link below opens the full PetCaseFinder write-up of a published case report. Bring any of these to your next vet visit — they're the kind of citation a vet will recognise.
#1 match
Notoedres cati-induced bilateral erythemato-ceruminous otitis externa in a cat.Parasitology international · 2026 · United States
A one-year-old male European Shorthair cat was found to have a serious skin condition caused by a parasite called Notoedres cati, which can also affect humans. The cat had severe itching, hair loss, thick crusts on its skin, and ear infections with a lot of earwax. Tests confirmed the presence of the parasite and also showed other infections. The cat was treated with a combination of medications to kill the parasites, antibiotics for the infections, and medication to relieve itching. After a few weeks of treatment, the cat showed significant improvement, and by the end of the treatment, all the issues had resolved.
Read the full case →#2 match
Evidence‐based veterinary dermatology: a review of published studies of treatments forOtodectes cynotis(ear mite) infestation in catsVeterinary Dermatology · 2016 · United States
Ear mites, known scientifically as Otodectes cynotis, are a common cause of ear infections in cats, making up a large percentage of these cases. A review of various studies found that while there are many treatments available, only a few were rigorously tested. The review highlighted that using a combination treatment of 10% imidacloprid and 1% moxidectin, or selamectin, is a good option, especially when given once or twice about a month apart. However, there wasn't enough solid evidence to recommend other treatments confidently. Overall, the findings suggest that the recommended treatments are effective, but more thorough studies are needed to confirm the best options.
Read the full case →#3 match
Otitis externa associated with Demodex cati - case reportArquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia · 2024 · BR
An 11-year-old male mixed-breed cat had a rare skin condition caused by a parasite called Demodex cati, which led to problems in his ear. He showed signs of intense itching, hair loss around the right ear, and some redness, along with a brownish discharge. This cat also had a history of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and was being treated with a steroid called prednisolone. Tests confirmed the presence of the Demodex parasite, and after treatment with a topical medication given twice a month, his symptoms improved and the parasite was eliminated.
Read the full case →#4 match
Efficacy of a single dose of an otic ivermectin preparation or selamectin for the treatment of Otodectes cynotis infestation in naturally infected cats.Journal of feline medicine and surgery · 2011 · United States
In this study, researchers looked at how well two treatments worked for ear mite infestations caused by Otodectes cynotis in kittens, particularly those living in crowded places like shelters. Kittens that were at least 4 weeks old and had live mites in both ears were given either a single dose of ivermectin ear drops or selamectin applied to the skin. The results showed that both treatments started to kill the mites within 10 to 12 hours, but the ivermectin worked faster and more effectively than selamectin over the first 72 hours. Importantly, neither treatment caused any harmful side effects. Overall, the ivermectin was found to be the better option for quickly getting rid of the mites.
Read the full case →#5 match
Mammomonogamus auris infection in the middle ear of a domestic cat in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, USA.Journal of feline medicine and surgery · 2008 · United States
A 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat living in Saipan was taken to the vet because she was shaking her head a lot. The vet found some mild redness in her eardrum but nothing else seemed wrong at first. After treating her with a combination of medications, the headshaking stopped, but the redness remained. A closer look revealed that the redness was actually caused by a type of worm called Mammomonogamus auris living in her middle ear. The vet performed a procedure to remove the worms and gave her additional treatments afterward. This case is notable because it's the first time this type of worm has been reported in cats from Saipan. The treatment was successful in removing the worms.
Read the full case →
Your pet's case is probably already published.
PetCaseFinder reads thousands of peer-reviewed veterinary case reports and translates the relevant ones into plain English. Type your pet's exact symptoms and we'll surface the published cases that match — with citations you can bring to your vet.
Run a personalised search →Frequently asked questions
What does my cat keeps scratching ears and shaking head help usually mean in cats?
Published veterinary case reports most often link this presentation to: Otitis externa (ear infection), Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis), Allergic dermatitis. Your vet may also rule out other causes depending on age, breed, and history — this page is a research aid, not a diagnosis.
How many real cases did PetCaseFinder find?
We surfaced 8 peer-reviewed case reports from our library of published veterinary case reports. The top matches are listed above with full citations.
Is this veterinary advice?
No. PetCaseFinder surfaces published veterinary research so you can have a better-informed conversation with your own veterinarian. Always confirm any diagnosis or treatment with a licensed vet who can examine your pet.