Any ideas?

[Cantbelievethisishappening]

My cat has been holding his head/ear strangely today so I checked him and there seems to be this weird browny discharge/gunk in his ear. I am almost certain it is not blood. He has been acting quiet today.... he came in and went straight under my bed when he would normally come onto my bed.
Any ideas what it could be?

I think it could easily be blood. Does he go out at all? He could have had a head injury - possibly even have been hit by a car. I think you need to get him to the vet straight away

Head injury? vets asap for him.

I'd agree about the possibility of it actually being blood - it changes colour very quickly indeed when it's outside the body. I'd vet him directly.

Definitely vets. Cats are good at masking pain. They hide themselves away, just as your cat's doing.

Thanks for your responses. My daughter had the door open and he buggered off. I can see him at the bottom of the garden. He is a very nervous, flighty cat anyway so have tried to get near him but he keeps running off. Definitely wont be a car as he has no access to a road. Phoned the cat who has suggested ear mites. He has gunk in the other ear to but not as much.

Phoned the vet not the cat

Has your vet asked you to bring him in? My vets do an instant test for ear mites.

Could still be blood mind, there's numerous ways he could have received a blow to the head.

Are you going in though?. They can scratch their ears till they bleed with mites.

It's not nice for them.

Yes..... am taking him in later