Hello!
My girl cat, Ivanna, was diagnosed with a severe ear infection last Friday. It wasn't obvious before then, and the vet said that it was probably building up down below before finally bursting out that day. The only sign was a couple of days before she started yelling when I pilled her. I thought she might have a loose tooth. Suddenly on Friday morning, she had discharge, a visible third eyelid, drooling, and was in obvious pain. Thankfully they had an appointment slot open!
They said it was pretty bad, and they couldn't see far enough in to have too much information. They gave her an injectable antibiotic that was to last 2-3 weeks in her system. They also gave her a pain killer that would last 2-3 days, and some fluids in case she had problems drinking or eating. I went home with a bottle of antibiotic solution to drop in her ears twice daily after cleaning.
Questions:
The first couple of days what was coming out of her ear was goopy, sticky, thick, brown stuff. As of yesterday, it has changed and is watery, clear-ish and slightly white. I assume this is a good sign?
The vet said that they will probably need to anesthetize her and clean out further in the ear and to cut out the polyps they expect to find in there. Is there a way for them to see if there are polyps before hand, or is it normal for the vet to just go in under the assumption?
The vet was very surprised that she had no head tilt and said that she would likely develop a permanent one. (she was also surprised at the lack or fever, but didn't mention if that would pop up). She also said she was likely to develop a droopy eyelid and paralysis on the one side of her face. So far, none of that has happened. What kind of timetable is normal for those thing occurring? Is it possible that if they didn't show up yet, that they might not?
They think she might be permanently deaf in that ear. I do know humans who have had severe ear infections who have recovered hearing. Do cats also occasionally recover hearing?
In the good news side of things, she is acting better. Friday was horrible, but she's up and about again, if a bit slower and more sleepy than normal. The only worry at the moment is she seems to be having a bit of issue eating, but does have an appetite. She's going back to the vet on Thursday, unless she stops eating. So far she nibbles a bit at a time, and probably is getting a bit less than normal, but she is eating and drinking.
Plus, she seems to love the ear/jaw rubs I have to give her after her drops. It's good that it doesn't hurt when I do that!
My girl cat, Ivanna, was diagnosed with a severe ear infection last Friday. It wasn't obvious before then, and the vet said that it was probably building up down below before finally bursting out that day. The only sign was a couple of days before she started yelling when I pilled her. I thought she might have a loose tooth. Suddenly on Friday morning, she had discharge, a visible third eyelid, drooling, and was in obvious pain. Thankfully they had an appointment slot open!
They said it was pretty bad, and they couldn't see far enough in to have too much information. They gave her an injectable antibiotic that was to last 2-3 weeks in her system. They also gave her a pain killer that would last 2-3 days, and some fluids in case she had problems drinking or eating. I went home with a bottle of antibiotic solution to drop in her ears twice daily after cleaning.
Questions:
The first couple of days what was coming out of her ear was goopy, sticky, thick, brown stuff. As of yesterday, it has changed and is watery, clear-ish and slightly white. I assume this is a good sign?
The vet said that they will probably need to anesthetize her and clean out further in the ear and to cut out the polyps they expect to find in there. Is there a way for them to see if there are polyps before hand, or is it normal for the vet to just go in under the assumption?
The vet was very surprised that she had no head tilt and said that she would likely develop a permanent one. (she was also surprised at the lack or fever, but didn't mention if that would pop up). She also said she was likely to develop a droopy eyelid and paralysis on the one side of her face. So far, none of that has happened. What kind of timetable is normal for those thing occurring? Is it possible that if they didn't show up yet, that they might not?
They think she might be permanently deaf in that ear. I do know humans who have had severe ear infections who have recovered hearing. Do cats also occasionally recover hearing?
In the good news side of things, she is acting better. Friday was horrible, but she's up and about again, if a bit slower and more sleepy than normal. The only worry at the moment is she seems to be having a bit of issue eating, but does have an appetite. She's going back to the vet on Thursday, unless she stops eating. So far she nibbles a bit at a time, and probably is getting a bit less than normal, but she is eating and drinking.
Plus, she seems to love the ear/jaw rubs I have to give her after her drops. It's good that it doesn't hurt when I do that!
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