Very Nervous About Cat with Ear Infection

WorriedSoMuch said:

I did indeed find a vet that makes house calls and I have been considering it. I doubt she will be relaxed though since she honestly only likes me and my mom. Most of my cats just have that timid personality.  Grace was shaking at the vet but he said he could tell it was fear and not neurological in nature.  Also, I do trust his judgement with listening to her heart since he helped diagnose, and essentially save my cat, when he found a heart murmur and we discovered his HCM. My cat lived almost another good 6 years with proper medication. Unfortunately he passed from cancer a little over a month ago It's just unfair that animals can be hit by more than one thing at once. I'm sorry for the loss of your dog as well and very much appreciate the good vibes. Grace had a good day yesterday. I didn't notice anything, or at least I don't think I did.  I tend to think everything she does now is suspicious in nature,

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When Wilbur began his twitches/tremors, I watched him constantly too. :lol3: To the point of making myself nuts. But in the beginning, when I first saw a twitch, I knew something was not right, even though others said not to worry. I am glad that you a vet whom you really like and trust. Important to have one by your side in times like these and I do hope that whatever these twitches mean, they are nothing serious and something she (and you) can easily deal with. :cross:

I am sorry about your recent loss.:shame: I just loss Wilbur too. It makes us worry a little more about the ones we still have! I think it is just part of the grieving process because we look at our other "kids" and know that we will most likely have to go through that pain and loss again, someday.. It is the worst part of loving them, having to say goodbye. My thoughts are with you.

I am not sure if this will help much or not but one of my cats had a bad ear infection due to ear mites and I had no clue. He was messing with his ears a lot and doing some twitching but I did not make much of it. But then he started vomitting a lot and then I worried and took him to the vet. Come to find out his ear infection from the ear mites was making him dizzy and subsequently nauseas. I had no idea! So then I learned that ear problems can make them "act" rather different sometimes, because they are off balance. Maybe your kitty is dealing with some balance issues. 

I think everything will be okay but I understand your worry because of what you have experienced in the past. It is not always easy to learn to trust a vet again. As we know, a lot of times medical doctors or even a vet is at best giving us an "educated guess" but I think your vet is doing a good job so far so hang in there as best as you can and stay calm for your kitty.

I hope to hear a good report soon.

 

Thank-you so much Feralvr  I did say after my other cat died that I would probably become neurotic again with the health of my other cats and sure enough here I am. It just stinks that she got sick just a mere 2 weeks after the loss of my other cat. I am driving myself crazy because while I know I DID see something worrisome, now I am thinking everything is worrisome. And yes, it's good the vet has been great. I actually spoke to the other one in the practice (also great) and he agreed with the other vet that it could be allergy related and having to do with the discomfort in her ears. He told me brain tumors are rare in cats and very rare in a 5 year old cat. He told me he'd advise against consulting with a neuro now as he thinks Grace will be okay so I'm just trying to hold on to that.

Skitty, thank-you for the reply. The vet said the same thing He said ear infections can cause neuro issues and allergies can cause the twitching. It is hard for me to trust but the 2 vets in the practice have told me it's highly unlikely to be a brain tumor or life threatening so I'm just trying to remain calm like you said.

WorriedSoMuch said:

Thank-you so much Feralvr  I did say after my other cat died that I would probably become neurotic again with the health of my other cats and sure enough here I am. It just stinks that she got sick just a mere 2 weeks after the loss of my other cat. I am driving myself crazy because while I know I DID see something worrisome, now I am thinking everything is worrisome. And yes, it's good the vet has been great. I actually spoke to the other one in the practice (also great) and he agreed with the other vet that it could be allergy related and having to do with the discomfort in her ears. He told me brain tumors are rare in cats and very rare in a 5 year old cat. He told me he'd advise against consulting with a neuro now as he thinks Grace will be okay so I'm just trying to hold on to that.

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Your vet's sound very, very caring AND smart!! I can only imagine what you are dealing with so soon after such a great loss. I worry about Henry (Wilbur's brother) whom is still with us and whom I never worried about before Wilbur died a month ago. So, you see, you are not alone with your concerns and fears. I think it means that we have really, really good and pure hearts filled with love for our furry kids and that is something you should love about yourself. :nod: Grace couldn't be in better hands or couldn't be more loved. She is lucky to have you as her momma and you are lucky to have her and love her so much. I think it's excellent advice and one I concur with in that you should wait and see if these twitches/tremors continue over the next few months. In the beginning we went back and forth to the specialist's and spent WAY too much money that we didn't have only to be told by the specialists... Not finding anything at this time. Let's wait and see and re-evaluate in a few months time. And that our dear Wilbur doesn't seem in the least bit bothered by these tremors. At least that was Wilbur's case. OH - most importantly, what I learned was that sometimes you have to wait till a symptom gets worse before it can be diagnosed correctly. Very frustrating, but one I think is true. for Grace and a HUG for you :grphug:

Feralvr said:

Your vet's sound very, very caring AND smart!! I can only imagine what you are dealing with so soon after such a great loss. I worry about Henry (Wilbur's brother) whom is still with us and whom I never worried about before Wilbur died a month ago.

So, you see, you are not alone with your concerns and fears. I think it means that we have really, really good and pure hearts filled with love for our furry kids and that is something you should love about yourself.

Grace couldn't be in better hands or couldn't be more loved. She is lucky to have you as her momma and you are lucky to have her and love her so much. I think it's excellent advice and one I concur with in that you should wait and see if these twitches/tremors continue over the next few months. In the beginning we went back and forth to the specialist's and spent WAY too much money that we didn't have only to be told by the specialists... Not finding anything at this time. Let's wait and see and re-evaluate in a few months time. And that our dear Wilbur doesn't seem in the least bit bothered by these tremors. At least that was Wilbur's case. OH - most importantly, what I learned was that sometimes you have to wait till a symptom gets worse before it can be diagnosed correctly. Very frustrating, but one I think is true.

for Grace and a HUG for you

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Isn't that always the way though? We fall into this contentment I think when they are doing well and then we get slammed. It's like when my first cat passed in 2007, I started looking at my other cat. It changes everything. Although in a way I think it made me a more conscientious pet owner because I found a lump on my cat, which turned out to be a benign lipoma (fatty tumor). However, it was a blessing in disguise because the vet found the heart murmur that gave me nearly 6 more years with him. I used to watch him like a hawk when he was diagnosed with HCM but then he was doing so well, it abated quite a bit. Now that he has passed, I look at my remaining 5.  I have 2 tortico sisters who are 17 months and I have been looking at them a lot too. One is quite trim (eats a lot, plays like crazy) while her sister is chunky so I find myself thinking, is she too thin though? Does she need another vet visit?

That's so kind of you to say about us having pure hearts. It made me feel really nice inside, instead of feeling like I'm kind of kooky. Others have made me feel like I go way overboard but I can't help it. It's nice to have someone who can relate. I appreciate all the good vibes. The vet said as such that I might spend a lot of money, only to find there is nothing there. Honestly I don't want a diagnosis if it's bad. I'd just like to know she can live with these issues and still be a healthy, happy cat. I also want to make sure I am making the right decisions for her.

WorriedSoMuch said:

That's so kind of you to say about us having pure hearts. It made me feel really nice inside, instead of feeling like I'm kind of kooky. Others have made me feel like I go way overboard but I can't help it. It's nice to have someone who can relate. I appreciate all the good vibes. The vet said as such that I might spend a lot of money, only to find there is nothing there. Honestly I don't want a diagnosis if it's bad. I'd just like to know she can live with these issues and still be a healthy, happy cat. I also want to make sure I am making the right decisions for her.

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Nope, FAR from kooky. :lol3: :bigthumb: And, I can assure you, there are many who are just the same, who treat their kitties like they are a loved human family member. One thing I have learned about "making the right decision", is that at times it is almost impossible to know what is right because there really is no right or wrong when you love so much and when you are trying so hard to make sure they are well and cared for. :nod: That IS the right thing, doing the best you can for them and not being so hard on yourself throughout the whole process. :heart2:

Here's :beerpals: to [COLOR=#PURPLE] HAPPY AND HEALTHY CATS!!!! [/COLOR] :bigwink: And a few more of these for Grace won't hurt.

Thank-you so much! I have been feeling so guilty lately too in regards to my other cat that passed and now Grace too. I wish all the best for your kitties too. I see you have a big cat family too and you help ferals. I have a beautiful feral cat that I adopted in 2004. She was born outside and we managed to get her whole family caught. Hopefully her family has loving homes now too.

Can I say that I can sympathize in a way not because my cats have passed and I have been worried about health issues but since I have had a cat got hit by a car as a little girl - a cat I so dearly loved and my parents then made the cats indoor cats only. Then as an adult I have had one cat come up missing about four years ago, a beloved dog run away last year who was microchipped and never found and then recently my beloved Mama Kitty who was my only indoor outdoor cat that I trusted to stay around the house - the one night I didn't make sure she was in and she came up missing. I think something must have happened to her like coyotes or maybe someone actually stole her but it hurts not knowing what happened to her. And then it makes me paranoid. I spent weeks crying. I'm so incredibly and almost to the point of neurotic about where my cats are that today I was frantic about calling home to make sure the cats were all inside.

So I understand the thought and scare of losing another cat, even if my situation is a tad bit different.

WorriedSoMuch said:

I have a beautiful feral cat that I adopted in 2004. She was born outside and we managed to get her whole family caught. Hopefully her family has loving homes now too.

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It always warms my heart to no end hearing such stories of people stepping up help feral cats. for that. Haven't heard any updates in a couple of weeks SO, the point of my post this morning is to ask...

How is Grace doing? :cross:

Feralvr said:

It always warms my heart to no end hearing such stories of people stepping up help feral cats.

for that. Haven't heard any updates in a couple of weeks SO, the point of my post this morning is to ask...

How is Grace doing?

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Thanks for thinking of Grace. I wish I had better news to report but unfortunately her mystery twitching continues. I have been writing about it sometimes in GoHolistic's thread "Is Boo Having Seizures?" because our cats sound similar. Some days Grace goes without me seeing anything and then she has a run of "bad days" as in I see twitching/tremors/tics, and now most recently some jerking. Not last Wednesday, but the one before, I was in worry mode because she jerked her arm out when she was relaxing with me. Then she also looked like her foot twitched slightly. I called the vet and he said she could have been very relaxed and falling asleep. She was having a good stretch after that and my fear had decreased somewhat. If you had asked me how she was just a few days ago, I would have said "great." However, this past Wednesday night, I was in panic mode because Grace was very content sitting with me, purring away as I pet her and she jerked her head a few times. I only felt the movement against my hand as I was stroking her face. I looked down and didn't see a thing. She looked calm.  Then yesterday, she had a few episodes of the facial twitching. It was very light but still there. I did read this which was somewhat comforting: http://www.petplace.com/cats/jerking-of-paws-and-twitching-of-mouth-before-falling-asleep/page1.aspx However, I'm back in my anxiety mode, watching her every move and thinking everything is a jerk or a twitch and fearing this is progressing.

My vet did tell me the last time we talked that if I can get a video of anything worrisome that I can e-mail it to him and he'll forward to a neuro colleague for consult which was Awesome. Problem is, it's not easy to do. She does things sporadically and I don't want to hover over her with a camera. I also want to make sure I film something valid so he doesn't think I'm over reacting or anything.

WorriedSoMuch said:

My vet did tell me the last time we talked that if I can get a video of anything worrisome that I can e-mail it to him and he'll forward to a neuro colleague for consult which was Awesome. Problem is, it's not easy to do. She does things sporadically and I don't want to hover over her with a camera. I also want to make sure I film something valid so he doesn't think I'm over reacting or anything.

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I also found that link you posted above. A good one and should ease your mind a bit. :nod:

If it is so sporadic and just a few here and there and not to the point of being more constant, then I think you should ease up on the concern. I know how that constant watching can be and may make you notice things that are totally normal but in your mind seem off somehow. Been there, done that!!! :lol3: IF she is acting normal, eating, using litter box, playing and just being herself, then all is well and I would not concern yourself, yet, with those twitches and jerky movements. They are not hurting her? The twitches are not bothering her? And she doesn't seem to be in any pain at all. I think this is harder on you than her. It was that way with my Wilbur :heart3:, and I just had to learn to accept that the tremors were not hurting him in anyway. Although, his condition was diagnosed and was completely different from what Grace is doing. Just know that whatever you are noticing cannot be bothering her much at all. Again, as I said in an earlier post, I would do nothing at this point and chalk it up to being something quite benign until these twitches/jerky movements become more and more symptomatic or indicative of a disorder or disease. Then, at that point you will have a better chance of getting video footage to send off to the neuro. I think you should not fret over her anymore because Grace will sense that. Hang in there, your a good momma! :heart3:

Unfortunately Grace seems to have taken a turn for the worse. I'm just so numb and in shock right now, not sure of what the next step should be. I got home around 4 PM and Grace was bird watching, enjoying herself. However, lately I've been noticing what seemed like a slight tilt to the right of her head. I wasn't sure if I was just imagining it because it looks like it's there sometimes and sometimes not, mostly not. She also had excellent balance and catches treats, plays with her cat's meow toy, and seems great. I went over to the glass door she was looking out of and also thought I saw some slight tremoring of her body. However, again I wasn't completely sure as I tend to jump the gun sometimes. Also, the door she was standing next to had a cold draft coming in and her ears felt very cold so I dismissed it and said, "maybe she was chilly." So I sat down on the couch prepared to relax and hopefully enjoy my long weekend. However it's not to be. Grace jumped up for a cuddle session and immediately began to have some light facial tics. I didn't panic as I am used to seeing these from time to time, although the past 3-4 days, she's had them every day but very short in duration. I was kissing the back of her head and I immediately felt some movement. I thought to myself, wow I never felt the movement like that before in her head with her tics. Next thing I know she was turning her head to the right. I thought she was going to lick her paw but instead her head started to shake very badly. It was SO AWFUL! I can't even describe the horror I felt. It looked something like this: Her head was being twisted to the side with rhythmic tremors as her face twitched. It was very much like a partial seizure It was like something was inside her head bugging her. This lasted for at least 30 seconds-1 minute although it felt like an eternity. It seemed to start off intense and then like die off. She then wriggled off of me, totally aware of her surroundings and gave the right ear a very good scratch and shook out her head. Then she was totally back to normal. I'm just at a loss. Her vet office closed at 5 PM so it was too late to call. I am going to call first thing tomorrow morning but at this point I just don't think there is anything they can do, honestly. I've been told to get her on video so it can be forwarded to a neuro but honestly, even if I do, what might he say? I imagine he would request to see her and want to do an MRI which I cannot afford. I feel like the world's worst pet owner and am coming to the conclusion that maybe my dear Grace isn't long for this world. I am by myself right now and even contemplated calling the shelter worker where I adopted my cats from and asking her if she could take Grace back. As much as I would never want to give her away, maybe she'd be better off with someone who can provide the level of care that I can't give to her.  

ETA: This is perhaps an even better representation of what Grace did: Note how the cat starts to tilt his head and scratch his ear. This is just what she was doing. I think I am going to rush Grace in early tomorrow even though she is acting fine at the moment. I can't chance this.

I'm sorry you're so upset.     I am not a vet, but from watching the second video, I would venture to guess it is still an ear issue. She may have a deeper infection going on.  An infection of the middle ear, called otitis media, might be difficult to determine with an otoscope (the instrument they use to look down the ears). Radiographs might be helpful in this case, or even a CT or MRI scan or myringotomy (fluid sample from middle ear). Depending on the severity, symptoms of an ear infection can range anywhere from no symptoms at all to those which resemble vestibular disease. The head tilting is the main reason why I'm going this route.

Maybe you have already......... Please take her in first thing tomorrow morning to have a thorough exam and blood panel. She could be diabetic, or have an extreme allergy.........

  Maia and my prayers our for Grace tonight..........

cheylink said:

 
Maybe you have already......... Please take her in first thing tomorrow morning to have a thorough exam and blood panel. She could be diabetic, or have an extreme allergy.........

  Maia and my prayers our for Grace tonight..........

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I agree! I do think Grace needs a full blood panel, T4, and urinalysis to rule out any endocrine or urologic disorders, among other things.

Has Grace seen a neuro yet?

Thank-you so much to everyone who replied and sent vibes to Grace. I could not get Grace in to see the vet today. They are only open 8-12 on Saturdays so they just couldn't fit her in. Grace had an okay night, no more of those intense tremors. However, this morning she had some light facial tics when she was standing up wanting my attention. Then of course she wanted to look at her birds. I went to grab my camera so I could catch something. She was having a tic every minute or so, yet when I watched back, you could see nothing. I just don't get it! I could have sworn I saw the body shiver again too, or at least her head trembling but again on video, nothing. She just looks totally normal. The vet called me at noon to see what was going on since he wouldn't see her. As @GoHolistic said he suspects she has some inner ear issues or a still unresolved infection going on and wants to see her. However, they are closed until Tuesday so I have to wait. I had to go out today and when I got home, she was sleeping soundly. She's acting fine now. I have not seen anything, thank God. She was also even fine after her rash of facial tics this morning. She jumped around the house so her balance and coordination are certainly not affected. The vet asked me if Grace seemed coherent during her head tremor episode and I told him, yes she did. He thought it actually sounded like a seizure, which is alarming but when I told him she seemed to be responsive, he said he doubted it. He told me if it happens again to touch her and see if she responds. I admitted I was in so much shock that I had not done that, although she was looking around the room when it was happening and just seemed genuinely bothered by it. Then of course she jumped down so she was awake. I cried so much today because of this, you have no idea. The thought that she is dying is very prevalent in my mind, although she acts perfectly normal except for when this stuff is happening.

@peaches08 No Grace has not seen a neuro and @GoHolistic I must admit I cannot afford to take her to one right now or to pay for an MRI. I told you my vet did say if I can catch it on video, he'd send it to his neuro colleague but I haven't had much luck. I actually called before about and MRI and it costs 2000 dollars here for one. I would love for Grace to have one, even if they found nothing, just for the peace of mind alone. However, it just is way out of my price range. I feel like the world's worst owner right now because of all this. I read other threads and the lengths everyone goes through to get extensive testing, medication, and procedures done for their cats and I must admit, I feel so guilty. I cannot afford these things. I was able to just barely afford my HCM cats' vet care as it was 600 dollars every 6 months or so and another 60 dollars a month for his meds. I could maybe save up for the neuro consult for sure but the testing is just an impossibility. The fact alone kills me inside.

Well, that does present a challenge if you can't afford the tests. Have you looked into Care Credit? And, actually, I would suggest the blood tests and urinalysis first before any kind of expensive diagnostic imaging.

I, too, was going to ask you what her eyes look like during these tics / tremors. That may tell you a lot. Are her eyes rolling back in her head? Are her pupils dilated? Is she staring off into space looking at nothing? Is she squinting? Or is she focused and looking around like normal? When Boo has his facial twitching episodes (which I haven't too many of lately), he remains alert and will respond to me calling his name.

I understand Carecredit has been a Godsend for some, but a nightmare for me. I signed up with them in 2010 because I needed a root canal and it's been nothing but a nightmare. I was goaded into a contract and am paying back over 3 grand (which I never even spent) because of the insane interest rates. I do think people need to be careful with that company. They are less than honorable especially if you are in a vulnerable situation. If I had any hope of a loan though, I'd gladly get one for Grace. I'd do anything for her to help her.

I am going to get her the blood panel this week when she goes in, I think they are going to do some cultures on her ears and try to work out some meds that might help her. Also, her pupils are normal during her tics. Her eyes do not roll back, oh my goodness, heaven forbid. I'd be running to the vet if I had to with her. I'm not sure how her eyes looked during the tremors but I am guessing normal since she bounced right back up after it ebbed out. When she looked at me to scratch her ear, she appeared fine. Her pupils were normal. Also, when she is having the minor tics, she responds to me as well. She never lost focus on her birds today, while they were happening. I called her and she looked me in the eye and her eyes were like slits as it was bright outside. One thing though, sometimes the tics make her blink but it doesn't change her pupil size.

I'm sorry to hear that Carecredit is not working out so great.

It's good that her eyes are normal during these episodes. Please let us know how her blood panel comes out.

Many vibes for Grace!