New cat mummy need some advice

[Elenasparkles]

Hi guys, have got a new 12 week old kitten, only had her for approx 2 weeks and she hasn't had her injections yet (she is booked in for her first set next week) but she's being keep indoors and has settled beautifully. We don't have any other pets and this kitten is the first time I've ever cared for a pet so just need some advice really. My SIL popped round the other night and whilst playing with the kitten pointed out she had a small dry patch on the inside of her ear. I hadn't noticed this before and can't really see it, but can feel a small slightly rough patch. Now our kitten isn't in any discomfort, isn't itching, no scratching at all and happily let's me put my hands all over both ears and feel along this little rough patch, even purring and staying relaxed while I do so. She's eating well and just being a normal kitten as far as I can see. My SIL also said her ears looked a bit dirty and made a big fuss using wet cotton buds to clean her ears, something I wasn't sure was a good idea nd was worriex woulf hurt her. Plus I've honestly never heard of anyone physically cleaning cats ears before. There was a bit of dirt on the buds and SIL says she could have ear mites but again everything I've read says she would be itching. Shes panicked the life out of me saying it could be that or a number of other things and now I'm a bit worried, everything I've googled seems to combine dry patches with itching. My SIL works at the vets as a receptionist so loves animals but isn't a vet and I'm now just a bit unsure. Am also worried about spiralling costs as going through a bit of a tight slot atm and am worried lots of vet bills could add up. Do you think this could be something that is normal or something that I should worry about? TIA x

If your kitten is happy, I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep an eye on it. Get yourself some pet insurance, because bills can mount up if something unexpected crops up. When your kitten has her injections, just mention the dry patches to the vet. I would absolutely NOT go poking about in her ears with anything! Leave that to the vet as well. If you are really concerned, then get the kitten in sooner and get her checked and her jabs done. I fancy that your SIL thinks that she knows more than she really does. As you said, she is not a vet.

Don't use cotton buds!!! Ask the vet for advice about her ears.
Get insurance to cover things but read the small print carefully! Also ask about getting her spayed as they can be done at 4 months (cats can get pregnant at this age) and microchipped.

Don't use cotton buds in her ears unless you know what you're doing. Get insurance. And whether or not she's been vaccinated, do not let her out until she's been spayed. I've seen cats as little as 4 months fall pregnant. As Vino said, neutering can be done early. It can (and should imo) be done as soon as 2 months/2lbs lbs in weight.

I seem to remember one of mine had dirty ears & at first vet visit the vet cleaned them out a bit with antiseptic wipes, but then at neutering under anaesthetic did them properly.

I think!

If you're short on cash you need to make sure you have pet insurance. Cats can be expensive. Our old girl was on £60 a month of pills at the end of her life. If cat has an accident then bills could easily run to four figures
Where did this kitten come from? Has it had flea and worm treatment?

Thanks everyone.. i thought the cotton bud thing was a bit weird but somehow she managed to make it seem perfectly normal..wont be letting her do that again. Didn't mention in post but yes she's staying 100% indoors until she is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. She's my little baby atm so just want to keep her all wrapped up and safe, had no idea how in love i would fall with my little ball of fluff. Think the thing that bothered me most was the way SIL just took over and was adamant that this was a problem and that she'd spotted it but I hadn't. She sort of made me feel like I wasn't looking after her right, which couldn't be further from the truth. I'm going to look into getting insurance set up straight away and have seen there's some good health plans at our local vets that deal with monthly flea and worming plus general health checks....oh also to mention that we got her from a friend of a friend who's cat had an unexpected litter, she was flea and wormed when we got her and will be due her next dose when we go for her injections.... I suppose I'm just looking at it as I would my child, if she's happy, eating and in no obvious signs of discomfort then Id assume she's ok and thought that was the right way to approach it but this has shook me a bit and made me feel like a total rookie. SIL doesn't have any kids and is very anti wanting kids so not sure if this is why she (very slightly) seemed a little smug that she spotted this and I didn't as she does love to pose herself as the next bloody David Attenborough .

Dry patch wouldn't suggest ear mites at all to me. Be aware that insurance generally won't pay out for the first couple of weeks so sort it ASAP. And get life cover too.
Frontline is rubbish for fleas. Just in case vet suggests it. Advocate much better.
And nobody has a surprise litter?! People who don't want kittens get their girls spayed.

And nobody has a surprise litter?! People who don't want kittens get their girls spayed.

This. A million times over