Question about kitty with EAR INFECTION & DEXAMETHASONE INJECTION

Hello 

Quick question (I hope)...

My kitty was diagnosed with ear infections (both ears) on 11/5 after two weeks of scratching and shaking her head. She was given OTOMAX, which is to be given 2X per day for one week and then 1X per week for maintenance.

On 11/9 I brought her back to the vet because she didn't seem a whole lot better, and her ears seemed to be a little inflamed. They gave her a DEXAMETHASONE INJECTION and said her infection looked great. I wanted to culture it, but they said there was nothing to culture at this point. 

Now, she is eating a ton. She seems a bit depressed, just resting and doesn't really want to play -- even though I've been trying! If she had it her way she would have 4, 3.0z cans of wet cat food + some dry food. I'm giving her 3 cans, plus a bit of dry to attempt to satisfy her. I've only had her a few months, and normally she will only eat about 1/2 a can of wet food twice a day. 

So, my question... Do you think she's just feeling better and has had this since I got her? I can't figure out why all of the sudden she wants to eat so much! Thanks for any advice in advance.  

BTW, the vet thinks she has allergies to the weather change.

How old is she? 

From PetMD, this is what I found out about Dexamethasone:

Dexamethasone is many times more potent than other anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressing drugs including hydrocortisone and prednisone. It is often mixed with other drugs to treat difficult ear, eye, and skin infections. It reaches every system in the body...

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And possible side effects: 

Dexamethasone may result in these side effects:

• Change in disposition
• Increase in seizure activity
• Increased appetite
• Increase in food and water intake
• Increased urination (though less common in Dexamaethasone than in other steroids)
• Increased susceptibility for viral and bacterial infections
• Panting
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Ulceration of the digestive tract
• Lethargy

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http://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/dexamethasone

So, it looks like you're dealing with some of the side effects, increased appetite and increased lethargy.  I would keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't over eat and continues to eat and use the box normally.

My bigger question is why they gave her the shot if the infection "looked good" and "there was nothing to culture".  Seems like she still has the infection and culturing it would've been the better way to go.

stephanietx said:

 
How old is she? 

From PetMD, this is what I found out about Dexamethasone:

And side possible effects: 

http://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/dexamethasone

So, it looks like you're dealing with some of the side effects, increased appetite and increased lethargy.  I would keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't over eat and continues to eat and use the box normally.

My bigger question is why they gave her the shot if the infection "looked good" and "there was nothing to culture".  Seems like she still has the infection and culturing it would've been the better way to go.

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She is 5 years old. That explains the appetite increase and lethargy -- thank you so much. 

They claim to have given her the Dexamethasone shot because although the ear infection itself looked a lot better and there was no gunk to culture, her ears themselves were still bothering her and seemed a little inflamed. 

It's possible she has allergies.  My RB kitty used to get seasonal allergy reactions and she'd scratch and scratch her ears.  Sometimes she would develop an ear infection.  We always treated it with BNT ear ointment.  Messy, but took care of any infection.  Something you might want to consider having done, is a thorough ear cleaning under sedation.  We did this annually with my cat and it helped cut down on the infections.  We usually had it done when she had her dental.

stephanietx said:

 
How old is she? 

From PetMD, this is what I found out about Dexamethasone:

And possible side effects: 

http://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/dexamethasone

So, it looks like you're dealing with some of the side effects, increased appetite and increased lethargy.  I would keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't over eat and continues to eat and use the box normally.

My bigger question is why they gave her the shot if the infection "looked good" and "there was nothing to culture".  Seems like she still has the infection and culturing it would've been the better way to go.

Click to expand...

Thank you -- I'll ask the vet about doing the thorough cleaning under sedation.

How long would you anticipate the Dexamethasone to cause side effects? 

Thanks again, this is a big help. 

Honestly, I don't know how long the side effects will last.  I would call the vet and tell them that he's experiencing some side effects and ask what you need to do.  It's possible that fluids might help flush the med out of his system faster.