Recurrent Sinus Infection/Ataxia

silent meowlook

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Unfortunately cultures of nasal secretions rarely grow anything other than the normal pathogen’s inside the nose. It’s basically useless to do a culture on nasal secretions or even a nasal swab. Trust me I did probably 20 of them on the cat that I had. They will grow weird things like enterococcus pasteurella but none of those or whatever the Issue actually is. It’s just secondary to whatever is going on.

Diagnostically MRI is probably your best bet. Financially feasible, who knows? They are expensive or at least they were 15 years ago I’m sure they’ve only gone up. Sometimes dental x-rays can be useful in looking at the sinuses. You need somebody with dental radiographic capabilities and a lot of experience of course. There is also idiopathic chronic rhinitis sinus. Diagnostically you can also have them scope the nose which is some thing I could never do for my cat because it just seems so brutal. I’ve assisted in a lot of them and they do have a tendency to bleed and they are definitely invasive. But they can get samples from inside the nose send it in to the lab and figure out what it is for example cancer chronic inflammation etc. Sometimes even doing that you still don’t get a clear picture of what’s going on. There can always be a viral component for example like herpes flareup. I don’t know what a good answer is, with your cat. I never figured out a good answer of what to do for my own cat when he had it be at 15 years ago. And I had access to specialists and major veterinary discounts and I couldn’t come up with anything to actually determine what it was or to get rid of it permanently. I also did post therapy with different antibiotics on him one of which probably led to his undoing of renal failure
 

stephanietx

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A nasal excretions culture and sensitivity test discovered a huge secondary infection in my cat that if left untreated, would've killed her.
 

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My cat of 16 years has been battling Nasal Cancer for 2 years.
First signs of it was a bloody nose and discharge so I’d definitely get a biopsy.
At first my vets thought something was logged in his nasal cavity or an infection. He didn’t bleed for a few months so they thought it solved itself. Then it happened a few months later and I demanded X-rays and biopsy. (X-rays are useless though so get a biopsy)
Honestly, it’s costly (way cheaper than the CT and radiation/chemo that follows tho) but worth knowing early since they do live a comfortable life if you find the cancer early enough. Also just good to get that ruled out. Just my 2 cents.
 
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all4mom2

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Thanks for your response. But how do they "live a comfortable life if you find out early"? I assume you also pursued the CT scan and radiation/chemo? That definitely would NOT improve the quality of my own cat's life, since he dies a thousand deaths just getting in his carrier, much less going to the vet and undergoing aggressive treatment! Nor, frankly, would or could I spend that kind of money on a 16-year-old cat when it doesn't cure the disease or lengthen their lives by much. I've been doing a lot of reading and research and am almost certain he has nasal cancer; he has the constant unilateral discharge -- sometimes clear, sometimes tinged with blood, and sometimes all blood -- that becomes purulent when he's not on antibiotics. And this may be why he's been losing weight over the past few years; it may have nothing to do with his GI issues or mild hyperthyroidism.
 

BlackCatOp

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Definitely talk to your vet regarding your concerns. There are options for palliative care if cancer is truly the problem.
Best wishes.
 
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all4mom2

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The vet isn't convinced it's cancer -- she seems to think since he had a UTI when I adopted him 15 years ago (and has had a few since) that it's a chronic condition related to that, but the constant discharge, pus, and especially bloody noses are new and very characteristic of sinus/nasal cancer. I'm not going to put us both through traumatic and expensive testing just to prove it. It's clear he needs to be on an antibiotic more or less full-time to keep secondary infections at bay, and she's fine with prescribing it while I'm fine with administering it. He wakes me up every morning to remove the "plug" of dried blood occluding one nostril, but then his appetite remains good and he's as interactive and affectionate as ever. I'll be closely monitoring his quality of life and comfort level.
 

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So in response to quality of life and extending his life, nasal cancer is supposedly very aggressive (2-6 months to live) and with the Chemo therapy I’ve extended his life by 2 years. He hated the vet and must be sedated because he is vicious (not all cats need sedation) but it was worth it as he is his old self and very active (he brought home a possum) Of course everyone has different needs and budgets.
Where I live the option for Radiation did not exist (this is the best treatment for this cancer) so I had to do Chemo and his response to the treatment was much better than most cats. However, just to let you know, cats don’t have the same response to the low dosage of chemo as Humans and there is a pill form you can administer at home so they don’t go to the Vet after the CT and diagnosis. They are not nauseous nor do the lose hair or feel ill. Same goes for Radiation. It is supposed to relieve the sneezes and the passages after the procedure. Also another FYI they said it would cost 5k or so for Radiation including all medications around 10 times over 2 weeks (I couldn’t do it since his cancer has spread) But I do understand that at 16 it’s difficult to decide. Many cats live until 21 without any issues these days so that’s how I decided to treat my cat.
 
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all4mom2

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My kitty now has ataxia (sounds like vestibular; he holds his head to one side, leans that direction, sways that direction, and eventually rolls/falls over that direction). It's toward his right side, which is also the side on which he's displaying signs of sinus/nasal cancer (repeated infections, constant discharge, and occasional nosebleeds -- along with his third eyelid being partially closed on that side). I haven't confirmed it with a CAT scan, but can only assume this means the tumor may now be encroaching on his ear or brain...
 
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FeebysOwner

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I now have a senior cat with ataxia (sounds like vestibular; he holds his head to one side, leans that direction, sways that direction, and eventually rolls/falls over that direction). It's toward his right side, which is also the side on which he's displaying signs of sinus/nasal cancer (repeated infections, constant discharge, and occasional nosebleeds along with his third eyelid being partially closed on that side). I haven't confirmed it with a CAT scan, but can only assume this means the tumor may now be encroaching on his ear or brain...
I'd also ask the vet about a deep inner ear infection that has never been fully eradicated.
 
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all4mom2

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If it hasn't been eradicated by now, after a year of being on various antibiotics (some at a maintenance dose to prevent reinfection), then it never will be. I'm afraid I don't share the same unshakable faith in today's vets that many of you do and post here looking to learn from others' experiences and knowledge... Obviously, "ask the vet" is the default answer...
 

FeebysOwner

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If it hasn't been eradicated by now, after a year of being on various antibiotics (some at a maintenance dose to prevent reinfection), then it never will be. I'm afraid I don't share the same unshakable faith in today's vets that many of you do and post here looking to learn from others' experiences and knowledge... Obviously, "ask the vet" is the default answer...
It can take months of non-stop ongoing appropriate treatment for tough cases - and, many infections that involve the inner ear are tough cases. The infection could be fungal - either in addition to or instead of bacterial, requiring a different treatment approach. Although more common in younger cats, it could even be related to nasopharyngeal polyps.

I will also suggest something else that you may feel is default as well, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention it, since I don't recall anything in the previous posts about this (sorry, if I missed something) - A second opinion, perhaps with a specialty group in your area, and/or even a consultation with a vet university. I am sure they would all agree with you about a CT scan, as part of the investigatory/diagnostic process.
 
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