Skin and ear care
If your cat's spending a lot of time shaking her head or scratching at her ear, or if there's some goo coming out, she might have an infection. Tiny mites which live in the ear canal can sometimes be the cause, so ask your vet for eardrops or a special 'spot on' that's applied to her shoulder blades. If there are any other cats in the house, it's safest to treat them too. Before attempting anything too serious, please ask your vet for advice.
Sometimes cats can develop a cauliflower-like thickening of the outer ear. It'll need to be cleaned regularly (ask your vet for a treatment) to stop the wax building up, and could be with her for life.
Your vet may also check for 'polyps', fleshy lumps which can prevent air flowing into her ear and cause some pretty serious illnesses. Ask your vet about having them removed by surgery.
Another problem is a sudden swelling of the ear flap, which can be a blood blister. This happens when a vein bursts and blood drips into the ear, usually caused by scratching. The ear flap may scar and crumple, which could damage your cat's hearing and end up looking quite unsightly. Again, your vet can advise you about an operation to reduce the problem.
Eczema can also cause problems for cats. It's often caused by an allergic reaction to flea bites. Scabs will develop giving her coat a gritty feel. If she's in discomfort, she may start to lick herself more than usual. Unfortunately this only causes more damage and irritation. Speak to your vet about suitable treatment.
Sometimes itchy skin can be caused by a food allergy, so seek advice from your vet about putting your cat on a different diet.