Strange eye infection, BIG problem! (long)

Well, I'm posting this in case someone has had this problem before. It's really just throwing us all, including the vet, for a loop.

My kitten is 6 months old, and went in for a routine castration on Wednesday the 5th. (may or may not be relevant). He seemed to recover until Sunday the 9th, when he started hunching and showing his third eyelid.

Monday the 10th we went to the vet, and he had a temp of 105. We were given Baytril. His eyes seemed normal except for the third eyelid. Shortly thereafter his pupil started dilating in his left eye.

Thursday the 13th we went to the vet again, because his eye was very swollen and painful and he only wanted to eat very mushy food, like baby food. Temp was still 105, and it looked like he had a corneal scratch. We got Clavamox and antibiotic eye salve.

Saturday the 15th we went again. Temp 105.8!! And eye very swollen. At no time has there been any discharge other than tears from the eye. Decided it was an abcess behind the eyeball, and they would operate today if it didn't go down. We also got an antesthetic drop to give him more comfort, and were instructed to give 1/2 baby aspirin per day. The aspirin really seemed to make him feel better.

Today, his left eye is looking less swollen, and he's able to open his eye. His temperature is down to 103. However, both his eyes are dilated now - and the right is looking a bit swollen. He's bumping into things. The vet now doesn't want to operate because the swelling did go down. Has anyone seen anything like this before? Is my baby going to go blind? Thanks for reading this really long post!

I have mentioned to my vet several times that I suspect Feline Herpes. Interesting. So he may get well? Boy, that would be nice...

Yes, I'm beginning to suspect the stress from the neuter caused this whole thing.

I've got an appointment with an opthamologist for Wednesday. I'm hoping that's soon enough.

Thank you - yes, and they will call if there are any cancellations as well. We do have an emergency vet clinic here as well, but I doubt they'd be able to handle the eye problem any better than my vet. BTW, the vet is very upset, and is very nice about the whole thing. I guess I just wish I hadn't had him neutered? I'm looking up the Baytril info as well.

Laureen, thanks for the quote, "1 report per 122,414 feline patients treated..." that would be my luck! Why don't I have that luck with the lottery?

I checked the dosage on the Baytril. He is getting 12.5 mg per day. The recommended highest dosage is 5 mg/kg. So since he's about 5 pounds, that makes 2.26 kg, and therefore the dosage he's been on is 5.5 mg/kg. Just a little high. Anyone think that could be contributing?

The websites also said that vets will deny that there's any connection.

Well, that's good, then I won't be afraid to bring that up.

Aw thank you. He got off our waterbed by himself this morning, and the first time he went down the stairs he was pretty slow, then he followed me back up, and the second time he sort of trotted down the stairs! The landing is a different kind of floor, so I think he can feel that. He can find his food, water, and litter box, all with a minimal of help so far!

Oops - you choked me up a bit there Meowmy Linda. When this is all over, we'll all have to go out for a cyber drink!

About the same. The pupil is fully dilated in both, giving him a "blank" look. The left (where it started) is able to open now, so it is less swollen. He can get around, but can only see an inch or so in front of himself. I'm getting updates from my husband, who works from home - he says Smudge is sleeping right now!

He goes in at 4 p.m. Mountain Time.

Possible news...my husband reports that he thinks Smudge's right (previously unaffected) eye's pupil has gone down a little...he can see the color of his iris!