Cuterebra & subsequent issues - Losing My Mind!!!

pinkerbell63

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
3
Purraise
3
My boy, the Dude, was falling and his head was severely tilted to the left side; his eyes weren't darting. On Apr 26th I took him to the vet who diagnosed a vestibular disturbance. Antibiotics were given along with Gabapentin. 3 weeks later, I found a worm next to a spot of blood on the floor where the Dude was rubbing against drawer hardware. Figuring this was somehow related to his still wonky condition, I examined him tip to tail & found the exit wound at the base of his left ear. How the vet missed it during the exam is beyond me! Ran the ugly grub to the vet who initially thought it was a tick until I asked her look closer. She concurred that it was a cuterebra. She gave me a sample of Revolution which I immediately administered. Nearly 2 months later, the Dude's health hasn't improved and seems to be worsening. The Dude developed a cough that sounded like he was trying to clear his throat (definitely not a hair ball cough) so triple wormer was given about 10 days ago. The cough is gone. Now he has what looks like tiny pimples concentrated on his lower abdomen: some appear to be scabbed over, some are pink and raised, some appear to have tiny black dots in a hair follicle. All have a slightly raised lump under the skin (resembling scar tissue) that are appx 1 cm long & 1mm high and the skin is whiter than the surrounding skin. He was 20 lbs prior to this & has lost about 7 lbs in the last 2 months. His equilibrium is still off, head is still tilted to the left. He's eating 4 times as much as he had been (don't suspect tapeworm since wormer should've taken care of that 10 days ago & has been no sign of tapeworm in feces or bedding).He doesn't appear to be in pain but much less social than he had been, he's not excessively scratching or grooming. I'm at a total loss for a diagnosis! I'm an unemployed travel agent due to the pandemic & didn't have the $450 the vet has charged me so far. I am losing the loose grip I had on the sanity my children haven't killed!!! If anyone can give me a clue, a direction, an idea to pursue, you'll save 1 lady from going insane & a little guy I absolutely love! Thanks in advance!!!!
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,433
Purraise
33,192
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

pinkerbell63

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
3
Purraise
3
Hi. Man, I just looked up cuterebra and I didn't see anything about Revolution killing/defeating them. Have you researched this? Here are several articles on this maggot, and maybe it will help you to come up with a plan to address to your vet.
Feline Cuterebra (pethealthnetwork.com)
Cuterebra or Warbles in Cats | VCA Animal Hospital (vcahospitals.com)
Yuck! Meet the Cuterebra — It Will Haunt Your Dreams. (petful.com)
I read that article & just about every other one I could find. Apparently there isn't a "cure" for cuterebra but studies have shown Revolution may have potential to kill the parasite.
I've found no warbles or any other indication of another cuterebra on the Dude. I'm inclined to believe the head tilt & his loss of balance are the result of the path the maggot took (through his ear canal and/or brain) resulted in permanent neurological damage. I can deal with that. The weight loss along with increased appetite & the "rash" on his lower abdomen is now my primary concern. I can't imagine he has any other parasite on him or in him given all the medications he's been given both orally & topically. I can't figure it out & since the vet didn't identify the warble at the base of the cat's ear before declaring a vestibular disorder & can't tell the difference between a wolf worm & a tick, I've no faith in her & pretty much on my own to figure it out. I'm baffled by the Dude's condition.
 

mrsgreenjeens

Every Life Should Have Nine Cats
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
16,390
Purraise
7,126
Location
Arizona
Any Vet who would mistake a Cuterebra for a tick should not be in business in my humble opinion. AND, any Vet who suggests administering Revolution to a sick cat should also not be in business. Revolution really should only be given to healthy cats :frown:

I hate to say it, but he needs to be seen by a different Vet. Since money is tight, maybe something here will help: Financial Help For Cat Care.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

pinkerbell63

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
3
Purraise
3
Any Vet who would mistake a Cuterebra for a tick should not be in business in my humble opinion. AND, any Vet who suggests administering Revolution to a sick cat should also not be in business. Revolution really should only be given to healthy cats :frown:

I hate to say it, but he needs to be seen by a different Vet. Since money is tight, maybe something here will help: Financial Help For Cat Care.
It was a terrible experience. The Dude had a horrible reaction 5 hrs after the Revolution. Unfortunately, there aren't many vets around here & everyone I know takes their pets to this practice. The local Humane Society has a really good vet but they're not accepting new patients. It's frustrating not knowing what's wrong with the little guy. My heart is breaking.
 

mrsgreenjeens

Every Life Should Have Nine Cats
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
16,390
Purraise
7,126
Location
Arizona
I wonder if you could get a referral to someone from the Humane Society, since they themselves aren't taking any new patients? Especially if you explain what has happened and that you CANNOT go back to the original Vet
 
Top