Is this unhealthy or normal?

[rizzy]

First of all I will let you know that I personally am more of a dog person, which explains why I dont know much about cats. So this also might seem like a stupid question. Is it normal for cats to have a cut in there ear? Well its more like a slit in his ear.

[rizzy]

Thank you for any information you have on this.:D

[AmberLee]

???

Sometimes an ear is cut or notched by a vet when a feral animal is neutered/spayed in part of a Trap/Neuter/Release program. Does it look like that's what happened?

[gini]

Rascal has a notch in his ear, exactly the way you are describing it.

He was a feral stray and I am confident it is a leftover battle notch.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I adopted Sky from the Humane Society and he also has a notch in his left ear. He was brought in as a stray. I thought that he had been in a cat fight but my vet said that they notched his ear on purpose so that he'd be identified as a shelter cat. It must be something new because Storm also came from the Humane Society and he doesn't have any notches in his ears but that was about 61/2 years ago.

[rizzy]

Originally posted by AmberLee
???

Sometimes an ear is cut or notched by a vet when a feral animal is neutered/spayed in part of a Trap/Neuter/Release program. Does it look like that's what happened?

I dont think that was it because we found him as a stray kitten. So he hasnt been to the vet yet. So this isnt something really bad that could hurt him right?

[Barbara]

Cats that live on the street sometimes get notches after a cat fight. If you look at older street cats most of them will have damaged ears. If it is an old wound it is most likely healed and does not be a problem.

[catland]

My Sid got a cut in his ear a few years ago from a fight. Its all healed up and he's fine now.

[Tonya]

Is it a healed scar, or a open cut right now? If it's an old battle wound, I wouldn't worry to much. It's probably like everyone one else said...the spay and neuter program. (Which I never knew, by the way. :)) If it's a recent cut, it could be from a fight. Or, once, Ron had an ear infection. His ears bothered him so much that he did it to himself.

[NoahsMommy]

How long have you had him?

[rizzy]

I havent had him very long. He is a kitten and I found him like a week and a half ago. He isnt even old enough to neuter yet. It isnt bleeding. Its just a slit. Its hard to explain.

Do you think I should worry? Is it something that is or could hurt him?

[Randi]

I don't think you have to worry, wherever he got it from it's healed by now. The scar will get smaller in time and he is not hurting from it. :)

Our Fister got scratched on his ear a few years ago by another cat, he still has a scar - see some pics of him on other threads, it's quite visible, but it's no problem at all! The evening it happened, he was definately shaken. :ekk:

I take it, you've looked at both ears? It's not the little double opening on the lower part of his ear you're referring to? All cats have that - and it probably has name.

[NoahsMommy]

Originally posted by rizzy
I havent had him very long. He is a kitten and I found him like a week and a half ago. He isnt even old enough to neuter yet. It isnt bleeding. Its just a slit. Its hard to explain.

Do you think I should worry? Is it something that is or could hurt him?
I don't think you should worry, but you should get him to a vet for his kitten shots, exam and tests. You want to make sure he's healthy otherwise. :)

[IttyBittyKitty]

Noah'sMummy is right ... you should get kitty to a vet anyway for the usual check ups and to ensure that all the vaccinations are up to date, espcially if the kitty is going to be outdoors at all.

As for the "slit," it is probably just an unusual scar or birth defect UNLESS it looks to be infected. Have a close look at it ... does it appear to be scabby, does the cat scratch at it a lot, is there any pus? If you are really unsure, take kitty to the vet soon for vacs and all that, and the vet can take a look at the little slit too.

[cubby31682]

Is it down by the bottom of his ear? Most cats have a slit like thing at the bottom of their ears. I don't know what it is for. Does it look like the ear was sliced down the middle on the outer side and is open kind of look?