does anyone know if yeast infection in cats is contagious?

[catnapt]

my grandkitties are here and the boy has a yeast infection in his ears and MAY have a yeast that is causing his chin acne

is this contagious?
i have a frail elderly 18 yr old cat and cant' risk her getting sick


thanks
althea and the girls

check out my babies at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/catnapt

[Meowmie]

I wouldn't think so, but PLEASE call your vet for advice.

Some general information:

http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=27&sid=2

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/ear-infections.html

Do you know, were ear mites originally involved in kitty's ear problem?

Also, in case this applies:

A yeast infection may develop as a secondary infection in an ear with a long-standing bacterial or ear mite infection. The prolonged use of topical antibiotics alters the natural bacterial flora in the ear canal, which improves conditions for growth of yeast and fungi.

A very good and effective way to treat and prevent ear infections is to feed a high-protein low-carbohydrate canned diet that will naturally produce a slightly acidic pH - which protects the body from bacterial and fungal infections, and to avoid feeding foods a cat is allergic to.
Food allergy is often an underlying abnormality involved in ear infections and also in chin acne.

Excellent information about grains/carbohydrates:

http://www.felinefuture.com/nutrition/grains.php