Ruptured Ear Drum

Has anyone had any experience with a ruptured ear drum in their cat??? We had persistent ear mites in two of my adult cats. The vet needed to clean their ears before he could re-do their mite medicine. He accidentally ruptured one of Iggy's eardrums! I know it "can happen", but my poor Iggy!!!
He was in the hospital for a full week, and finally came home yesterday. He can still hardly walk as he's so off balance, and his third eyelid is still constantly showing. Our vet said it will take some time but he feels he's got a 95% chance of a full recovery.

I'm just wondering if anyone's had a similar experience.
Is there anything I can be doing for him other than the antibiotics and prednisone he's currently on?

Any input is greatly appreciated at this point.

Thank you.
Diane

Just keep the poor kitty warm and give lots of love! I hope the ear mites have cleared up? I hope all goes well!

I would be having a talk with that vet! I had a kitty that had a ruptured eardrum, and they finally decided to do surgery and incise the eardrum and relieve the pressure. Some medications (I was told) are just not safe to use when a cat ruptures their eardrum. The surgery helped Nikita to get better.

I sure hope you didn't have to pay for the vet visit either.

I was afraid he may need surgery :-(
I'm not sure what medication he used at the time of the cleaning. Before that, we'd tried some drops that you only needed one or two of and they were supposed to work.
He was apologetic, but did say "This can happen". And he was fair with the bill.....I just paid for his medications. I do trust our vet....I'm just worried about Iggy.

Hi,

First of all let me tell you how truly sorry I am to hear of what has happened to your baby.  It is horrifying to watch what they go through after having an ear drum ruptured and you feel so helpless and your heart breaks to have to witness what happens to them as a result of this and there is not much you can do, EXCEPT, love, comfort , re assure them that it is okay and it will eventually subside. They act so disoriented and confused and of course the worst part is the physical affect it has on them and they have no clue what is wrong or going on.  It is very important that you constantly console them and physical contact with them is the best medicine for them. Make sure they eat and drink and go potty to, otherwise dehydration will occur and make matters much worse,you should assist them in all these areas.  It makes it easier for them to accomplish these things with your help, hold them in the litter box so they don't sway and bob and fall over and then they feel safe to go, and when they try to eat hold them again with also holding there head still so they can eat and don't sway and bob as well, this makes it easier for them.  SOOO bottom line is , the most important thing you can do is to be there for them until they can do it on their own.  How do I know all this, this just happened to my cat as well the other day only the wash was not necessary there wasn't anything wrong with my babies ears, why it was done I can't tell ya, I only know I now may have a legal matter on my hands, but that s not what is important here, what is again, is to remember to help as often as you can, love and and rest assure them it is okay.  Talking to them let's them know you're  there as the confusion makes it hard for them to know that.

And remember, it will go away once the ear drum heals, that it is not permanent.  So be patient and again it will be over soon. 

Give Iggy a kiss and hug for me and tell him it is gonna be okay, you promise. And snuggle him to his hearts content.

Sharon

WOW, I just saw that this post was from 2002.  OH WELL, maybe it will help anyone else who is going through this right now like I am. 

Hi Sharon, we moved to Spain last year bringing our cats with us and took one to the vet a couple of weeks ago with ear mites. Took her back last Sat for follow up and the vet put drops in and cleaned out both ears with a cotton bud, very vigorously. Whoops went mad and by the time we got her home both eyes were half covered with the inner eyelid and she couldn't walk. We took her back straight away and they suggested it was a reaction to the drops, kept her thre for an hour then we took he home. She was no better next day and was totally deaf so I took her to an emergency vet who told ho couldn't see the timpanic membrane in either ear and the deafness is probably permanent! A week after the "follow up treatment" she is still not eating properly, it's almost as if she doesn't quite know what to do, she wants food but whatever I do just eats a tiny bit. The original vet is adamant she did nothing wrong but poor Whoops can't go out now because she hears nothing at all, she loved roaming in the park behind us, she falls over if she shakes her head, has trouble eating and her sister who was always with her is now hissing at her. I'm going to have to go back to the vet as she is losing weight. Can't believe she went into the vets last week a healthy, happy cat with perfect hearing and is now deaf, confused and lonely. I've been up half the night every night just cuddling her but I just don't know what to do for her now. [emoji]128546[/emoji]

Thank heaven for this site.  I just read the posts here and feel so encouraged.  I took my cat (15 yrs old) to the vet a week ago tomorrow because he had a slight discharge from one eye.  While there the vet said he should have his ears cleaned also.  I don't think he's ever had this done before.  When he was brought back to me, he was acting really out of it.  The following Monday I took him back to the vet.  She said he has either had a stroke, or when they cleaned his ears, his eardrum may have ruptured.  I have been trying to nurse him back to health at home and he is not on any drugs.  He seems to be getting a tiny bit better each day so we're giving him the time to heal.  After reading the posts here, I'm suspecting that the ruptured eardrum is more likely than the stroke.  His symptoms are such as described here.  Thank-you for your posts.

We seem to be getting to the light at the end of the tunnel - Whoopi gradually got hearing back in her right ear and the vet was able to see the timpanic membrane when we took her back so we started to let her out during the day.  Was she happy!!  Then we noticed her left ear twitching as well and she started responding to food calls again.  She doesn't hear quite as clearly as she did but she does hear if you creep up behind her which is so amazing.  We leave the car flap open now and they both come and go as they please, Whoops tends to come in and out all night just to check in, bless her.  Not a time I'd want to repeat but we do seem to've got to a happy result, a much happier cat and two very relieved "parents".

SharonSharke said:

 
Hi,

First of all let me tell you how truly sorry I am to hear of what has happened to your baby.  It is horrifying to watch what they go through after having an ear drum ruptured and you feel so helpless and your heart breaks to have to witness what happens to them as a result of this and there is not much you can do, EXCEPT, love, comfort , re assure them that it is okay and it will eventually subside. They act so disoriented and confused and of course the worst part is the physical affect it has on them and they have no clue what is wrong or going on.  It is very important that you constantly console them and physical contact with them is the best medicine for them. Make sure they eat and drink and go potty to, otherwise dehydration will occur and make matters much worse,you should assist them in all these areas.  It makes it easier for them to accomplish these things with your help, hold them in the litter box so they don't sway and bob and fall over and then they feel safe to go, and when they try to eat hold them again with also holding there head still so they can eat and don't sway and bob as well, this makes it easier for them.  SOOO bottom line is , the most important thing you can do is to be there for them until they can do it on their own.  How do I know all this, this just happened to my cat as well the other day only the wash was not necessary there wasn't anything wrong with my babies ears, why it was done I can't tell ya, I only know I now may have a legal matter on my hands, but that s not what is important here, what is again, is to remember to help as often as you can, love and and rest assure them it is okay.  Talking to them let's them know you're  there as the confusion makes it hard for them to know that.

And remember, it will go away once the ear drum heals, that it is not permanent.  So be patient and again it will be over soon. 

Give Iggy a kiss and hug for me and tell him it is gonna be okay, you promise. And snuggle him to his hearts content.

Sharon

WOW, I just saw that this post was from 2002.  OH WELL, maybe it will help anyone else who is going through this right now like I am. 

Click to expand...

 Hi!  I just wanted to let you know that this has helped ME, so I really appreciate that you posted it.  My kitty had to have a tumor removed last Friday, and the vet decided it would be a good idea to clean his ears while he was under.  Yep, they perforated his eardrum.  I'm sick with worry watching my baby wobble around.  He is so confused.  He is eating a little bit of wet food but won't drink.  I'm waiting for a call back from the vet right now.  My boy also has anxiety, so I don't want to have to take him in again unless it's necessary.  This is so difficult, and it doesn't help that I'm getting no sleep...it makes me even more on edge. He and I are both happiest when I am holding him close with his head tucked under my chin. 

How did things turn out for your kitty?  How long did it take for the eardrum to heal?

Thanks again for posting. I am sorry that you (or anyone) would ever have to go through this, but I feel less alone when others share their story!  :/

Hi Mypyro, Whoopi ended up with her perforated eardrums (both ears) at the end of August last year. As you say, it's awful to see them struggling to walk, not eating or drinking, I was terrified for her. We did what you're doing, kept her close and comfortable and she gradually improved over the next four weeks when we actually let out again. She's improved now to hearing everything and is actually less jumpy than she was so a much happier cat. The sad part is that her sister vanished in October and we have no idea what happened. So although her hearing is good again, now she's missing her sister and still looking around for her [emoji]128546[/emoji].
Keep doing what you're doing and it will get better, give him a hug for me x x

Debbyp - Oh my goodness!! I am so sorry to hear that Whoopi's sister is missing! [emoji]128532[/emoji] I can't imagine how difficult that is, and I am SO hoping that she has just taken herself on a little vacay and will return home soon.

Thank you for sharing your experience with Whoopi's ears. This is just so scary. My family is doing their best to adjust since I spend the majority of my time loving on Pyro and caring for him. He did drink some tuna water and ate some canned food this afternoon. It felt like a huge victory!! I'm not sure I will be able to tell him "no" to treats ever again!!

It helps more than you know to hear from a kitty parent who has been through this. Thank you very much for the reassurance. I cannot wait for this to just be a memory! I'll be thinking of you, Whoopi and her sister!! [emoji]128151[/emoji]

I believe my Vet ruptured my Niptoe's ear. Exact same thing going on. He was fine when I took him in due to a sore in the inside edge of his ear I felt may be draining inside. Just went in for a flush but vet tech swabbed both ears & Dr. tested to determine infection & what type of antibiotic drops to prescribe.

The Dr put the drops in and rubbed vigorously. Less than 2 hours after brung him home he had the exact same symptoms. 

So YES, This DID help. Thank-you.   

It helped me....and it's a year later.  Thanks

This just happened to my cat this week. I took her in for her yearly checkup. I had mentioned that she had been scratching at her ear and folding it down sometimes. They checked and said she had a yeast infection in her ear. How does that happen, lord only knows. So they asked if they could clean her ears and put in this medication to help take care of it.I think its called BNT something in both ears. Well that was a rough night mind you this was Tuesday 3/3. My cat kept shaking her head vigoursly for hours and stuff kept coming out of her ears. It was pretty gross,plus she was freaking out so much and thought it was because of the anesthetic. I called right away,they said it was a normal thing to shake their head because it feels like water in their ears. The next day I noticed she wasn't eating or drinking but seemed fine. I figured ok she's going to be down for a day because she did also get her shots. Well Thurs came along and she still wasn't eating or drinking and she seemed completely off balance and was falling and stumbling a lot. Not like her at all. Then I noticed she looked funny. Her right eye was messed up. Her left eye was normal as far as the pupil goes but the right was smaller and looked a reptile eye and she kept squinting that eye. I talked to my friend who is a vet tech about her symptoms and she said it sounded like the infection might have gone to her middle ear and to call in the morning to have them look. I brought her in and they put her back under and then said her eardrum was ruptured. I was so disappointed and upset. So I had to ponder on this horrible thought for a few more hours before I could take her home. Its so upsetting just seeing your posts about the same thing, a perfectly fine cat until you get home and they can't hear you. This makes me so mad because she can't hear me. She doesn't respond like she did. She's such a talker and she really hasn't. She would watch for me to come home and then as soon as she heard me she would meow and greet me. She seems betterish today but still really wobbly. They gave me some pain meds for her, which seem to help a bit and she has been resting a lot which is good but still. She's going to be five years this month and I can't believe she's had to go through this.we think she can hear a little so hopefully this will get better. Thanks for sharing the similar stories and hope all your kitties are doing better! I am still in shock and upset this happened.

Hello all, Here's the unfortunate situation that occurred with our cat. Took him to the vets to get shots & the vet indicated he needed his ears cleaned....I said, go ahead. We go home and several hours later after waking up from a nap he can't walk, falling over, and disoriented & scared. Doesn't eat or drink for two days, becomes very lethargic....so we get him to back to vets. Vet says I don't know what happened or what's going on? After much discussion, he's put on anti-biotics, and stays on IV for two days to re-hydrate him. We brought him home today & he still can't stand up without falling down. I highly suspect that they punctured his eardrum after reading the previous posts & symptoms. The are identical to what he is going through.

Hi, Hi read your post about your kitty's ruptured eardrum. My cat has apparently had a middle ear infection that has now ruptured her eardrum and the Symptoms are just awful!!  She can't walk, hold her head up straight, eyes moving back and forth. Of course I took her to the vet right away and he gave antibiotics and steroids. That was yesterday. 

My question is, did you cat recover fully from this and how long did it take?  I don't see any answers on that here on this site. 

Many thanks, and I do hope you cat and mine recover fully! 

Wendy

Hi Wendy, she got better gradually over about six weeks and was able to go out again then. She hears well now and travelled back to the UK from Spain in the car with us and is well and happy, plays with the one year old cat we now also have all the time. It was an awful time but with lots of love and care she came through and is a joy to have around again.

Oh, so good to hear that she made a full recovery!  The symptoms are so scary that I feared she would never be the same.  Thank you so very much for your reply, it's a huge comfort to know that in time she will heal.

Today Pluto is eating and drinking and holding her head a lot more steady. She staggers and falls over but seems determined to get back to normal.  It's day 3 and I think that's good progress toward healing.

Thanks again, you really helped me.   

Thank you to everyone posting here. It makes me feel much better to read similar stories.
Took phoebe and her sister Peggy to the vet for an annual vaccination and the vet said they had dirty ears. Offered to clean them and I (stupidly I now think) agreed. He put a liquid in, which she didnt like, and seemed really rough when working it into the ear. Phoebe even hissed when he did it (which she never does - she is the most sweet natured cat).
Returned home and Phoebe seemed wobbly that night (Monday). Shook her head and fell over etc, but we put it down to the vaccination.
She was still not better Tuesday night, so I called in and took her to the vet tonight (Wednesday). Another vet examined and she's being treated for a perforated ear drum. Phoebe is not eating or drinking still, lethargic, silent (normally very vocal) and can't walk straight, jump or stand without wavering. So worried!
Very glad to see that it's hopefully just a matter of time for her to get better. I'm very releived that this problem is not isolated to us. Thank you

My kitty Rudy has a perforated eardrum. It has been a month and not healed yet. He has been to the vet 4 time, had antibiotics, and ear drops. His ear is still draining. He is stable on his feet, but doesn't want to eat or drink too much. Does anyone know how long it takes for the eardrum to heal?