update on my crazy cat

[bmonczka]

Well, I finally took the old girl in for her hair pulling and the vet was clueless as to why...could be stress, allergy, reaction to a nasty yeast infection she has in her ears (yuck!). The vet put some stuff in her ears and about 5 minutes after getting her home my cat completely freaked out. Her left eye rolled back (the vet called it her third eye? this is common?) she was staggering around, falling down. Howling more than usual. Needless to say, I was freaking out completely so I rushed her back to the vet. They have no idea why she is doing this either! Apparently, they are calling the new problem "Feline vestibular disease" or "Idiopathic vestibular disease." I looked it up on the internet and it's a neurological problem caused by inner ear, stress, ...takes about 2-3 weeks recovery. So I put up a baby gate upstairs so in her drunken stumbling she doesn't fall down the stairs. They also took some blood work and her sugar is through the roof (270), 300 is diabetic so I have to take her back in next week. While I know she is old (20 yrs), it's sort of scary to have her fall apart on me all the sudden. The vet said that the next step with the "feline vestibular disease" would be to see a neurologist if it doesn't get better- not sure I'm ready for all this! Thought those that posted to my inquiry about my crazy cat might want to know.

[SusanL]

What a shock to come on so quickly. From one cat lover to another, she is in my prayers also!

[Peggy C.]

Wow that is weird and I really don't know that much about that disease, but what you described sounds exactly like an allergic reaction my Mom had to penicillin. ('cept for the howling) Her eyes rolled back she lost all coordination and was left with a weakened left side. Maybe ask if that is a possibility and a result of the medicine he put in her ears.

Poor thing I hope you get it all worked out quickly.

[beejayw1]

Just sending my sympathy and prayers.

Having a 20 year old cat certainly is a sign of excellent care by the owner, and I think your cat is lucky.

It does sound as though she had a reaction to the medication, and if she has an ear infection, it would explain some things.

Please let us know how she is doing.

[Beth]

OMG. I missed the first thread, but certainly hope your cat is doing better. I would get a second look at whether she could be having a reaction to the medication too -- especially since antibiotics are among the drugs that have more allergic reactions.

Twenty years is exceptional -- and inspiring. My cats are about 10 and 11, and now that they are both in double digits, I get a little more concerned about them.

[luv2cook]

Double digit cats/dogs DO need special attention. Sometimes problems do come on suddenly,unfortunately. It does sound like an issue, maybe, w/her inner ear. If you can find a feline specialist in your area, now might be the time. They're really not much more expensive than a regular vet and have expertise just in cats.

I have 3 "geriatric" cats -- 14 (15 in August)10 and 7. The 14 y/o has hyperthyroidism and the 7 y/o has bad asthma. We just put him on a mask last week along with the pred. Cats/Dogs can develop the same problems that seniors do. It's not unusual at all. In fact, when I was getting the inhaler for Kirby, the pharmacist nearly fell over when I said it was for my cat and that I treated my dog (when she was alive) with hormones and gave my cat Tapazole (human drug.)

[wallycat]

So sorry about your poor kitty.
Are they doing anything for the high blood sugar?? I wonder if that is why they found yeast in her ears

I have a friend who has been giving her cat insulin shots for many years....
Hopefully if it is just the ears, the blood sugars were temporarily high.

Post back please.

[Beth]

Could be a tie between the blood sugar and the ear thing. I had a fungal infection in my ear during my pregnancy and the ENT said he saw it in some pregnant women -- seemed to be something about the body chemistry changes.

[bmonczka]

Thanks for your thoughts. She has been sleeping a lot since I brought her home and finally started eating a little bit late last night. The vet recommended that I try and give her baby food and .

For her blood sugar, I'm supposed to take her back in next week after I collect a urine sample (not sure how I'm going to do that?). And they'll check to see if it's gone down.

[hannah_phi]

Sinatra and I have your kitty in our thoughts. I hope she is doing better soon.

Did you ask the vet if they have suggestions for how to collect a sample from her? I can't imagine how to do that...

Hannah

[mbrogier]

Why can't the vet just cath your kitty at the office and get enough for a sample?

My cat was diagnosed with a blood sample...he bit a tech really bad. We warned her, and she didn't wear gloves....getting samples from cats is hard.

[syzygy]

Your vet should have a little kit for urine collecting. It's basically a plastic sheet and plain, plastic pellets instead of regular litter. Put it in a small pan your cat can use instead of her regular litter pan. I've had to use it a time or 2 for my "old lady" and works fine.

Good luck, and wishes for your kitty's good health.
Geriatric pets really keep us on our toes!