Vet wouldn't neuter Barney

Took Barney in for his low cost neuter this am. Got a call when I got home saying the vet is not comfortable neutering him due to his head tilt.

He had Feline Vestibular Syndrome beginning on August 12. It took about 2 weeks to subside to the point he wasn't falling over. He was left with the head tilt. He was on Baytril ear drops, and clavamox. He has been fine, walking on the leash, playing, chasing laser...etc. Eating he is a bit picky. But has gained over 3 almost 4 lbs since I got him.

The vet said he had never heard of FVS before. This was a vet brought in to do low cost neuters....so I don't know his experiences or how long he has been treating animals. I never did see him/her.

When I got there to pick him back up, the gal at the desk said his eyes were dilated and did not go down in the bright light of the waiting room. Now that he is home, they are still that way. I thought it might be he was so scared. But now I don't know.

I guess my question is has anyone ever had to neuter a kitty after they had FVS? I do plan on running this all past his vet and get a copy of his records.

Thanks.

If a vet isn't comfortable, then they do not have to operate.. he'd rather not take risks. I'd rather have a vet that's confident than nervous! You can ask the clinic if they have another vet or recommend some place else? Run it by your current vet and see what they say too

While I wouldn't want a vet that's uncomfortable with it operating on my cat, I find it very odd that the vet for the low cost neuter had never heard of FVS. Definitely odd.

Please let us know what your vet says.

I sure remember you telling us about Barney's episode that scared you to death. I'm confused a vet has never heard of FVS. I certainly hope you can get this straightened out. to Barney and you.

Hi...I am glad they wouldn't neuter him. My Siamese (Puppy) had always had a head tilt and I never thought anything of it. When he had surgery to remove a tooth, I became educated fast on FVD. HE went into seizures that night, stayed sedated hours after from the anesthesia, walked in circles, kept falling sideways and if we hadn't taken him to an emergeny vet, he may not have survived.  Both vets, 3 actually were perplexed before he was diagnosed. They knew of the vestibular disorder  in general but none had ever seen a case in reality.

I ended up taking Barney in last week to my regular vet.  He was neutered, and had no side effects.  His head still has the tilt, but he is 100%.

Thanks for everyones opinions. 

Now I just have to find him a furever home!

Awwww Good luck with Barney! Glad he turned out well. With my boy's vestibular disorder, it caused him alot of trouble after his surgery so I won't do any again unless it is life threatening. Just for others who may be researching, if your cat has a head tilt, let your vet know for the record. It may be nothing but maybe not. Puppy cat lives okay with it but since surgery, he doesn't much find himself being daring. He seems to crave safety more, like staying inside and staying close to the family. When he plays, his head will often bop oddly to the side sharply, I suppose the vertigo inside throws him off. Still, he is an otherwise happy, healthy boy. When he was neutered early on, he had no incidents but the tooth extraction brought it out....maybe it was stress. The vet said it also could have been the ear flushing that got to him since it affects his balance.

I'm so glad it worked out! for finding him his home. :heart3:

It's good to hear everything went well for Barney. Lots of that he finds a permanent home soon!

Thanks for the vibes...he is living in our garage which is insulated and my dh works out there and puts the heater on during the week.  So it does not get real cold, maybe down to 55 this time of year.

I hung a window bird feeder for him and he does not mind the sound of saws and machinery from time to time.  He will be sound asleep when dh is working with them. lol  I made him a little box with a top and place to get in and out.  It's off the floor.  I plan on making a better one as the weather gets colder.  I warm his food and drink.

We bought him that heated disk that you put in the microwave.  I give it to him about 7 pm and at 7 am its still somewhat warm.  We walk on a leash a couple times a day and he gets to "hunt" in the weeds and bramble on the edge of the ravine.

I would post a pic but dont see the option like on the old site.....

Thanks again!

Oh he sounds like he is home!

And to post a picture, which I would LOVE, there should be something in the editing bar on the top that looks square, next to the video strip? If you hover your pointer over it, it should say "image." All you do is click on it, and then you get a dialogue box where you can upload the photo. This site automatically resizes them and pastes them in the post.

Honestly, I wish I could keep him.   I have 11 cats,  and am at my limit.  I can keep him till I find him the perfect home tho.  And I intend to do that.

I guess I am having a senior moment.....I don't see the photo link.  Do you mean in the area of Home...Forums...reviews, ..articles?

I use the BB editor when making posts (you can choose between Rich Text editor or BB Editor - you do this in the My Profile section, in the "edit account details" section. I think the default is Rich Text Editor. :nod:

Either way, I'm pretty sure the icon is the same.

Here's a picture of the screen:



See that panel at the top of the reply box with all the formatting options? The icon I circled is the one for adding a picture. You just click on it (if you hover your pointer over it, you'll see it says "image"). That opens a dialogue box where you can then choose the picture you want in the post.

farleyv said:

Honestly, I wish I could keep him.   I have 11 cats,  and am at my limit.  I can keep him till I find him the perfect home tho.  And I intend to do that.

I guess I am having a senior moment.....I don't see the photo link.  Do you mean in the area of Home...Forums...reviews, ..articles?

Click to expand...

Here is a tutorial for adding pictures to posts.  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/image-and-video-tutorial

I just posted the pics of Barney on the pic thread.

YAY!

So glad things worked for sweet Barney!!! Will go see the ix:

YAY for Barney. Glad things went well!! Will go and check out the ix:

Originally posted by farleyv

I ended up taking Barney in last week to my regular vet. He was neutered, and had no side effects.

Click to expand...

Words can't describe how happy I am for you and Barney. Yay!!!!!  Fantastic!!!