My new kitty shivers a lot...a little worried.

[Dusty]

First of all, my kitty does have an ear infection that we are treating...so maybe this is a side effect, I don't know. He also just got over (as of a couple of months ago) being infested with fleas and (against his will, heheh) turned into an indoor cat, because we can't handle the flea problem again.

Anyways, I only list that stuff because obviously I am no doctor and have no idea what could be causing this...it might be related to one of those things, it might have no relation at all.

The problem is that I have noticed my cat has been shivering a lot. Specifically when he lays down in front of our fire place or on the computer desk where he loves to sleep. The reason I am posting this here is because we can't really afford to take him to the vet right now...and I am just trying to see if anyone else has this problem.

He doesn't SEEM to be in pain....but who knows maybe he is just a tough kitty. At first I thought he was just dreaming (you know how cats and dogs are when they dream) but then I saw him do it awake...and its often now. I'm wondering if he has some king of nervous system issue or if he's just cold (doubt it..its winter and our heater is constantly on).

Any insight would be helpful.

-Dusty

[jason]

(against his will, heheh) turned into an indoor cat, because we can't handle the flea problem again.

good move, for fleas and many other reasons.

The problem is that I have noticed my cat has been shivering a lot.

off the top of my head, not sure. what are you administering for the ear infection? did you notice these shakes around a specific change in anything? (diet, litter, medications, etc etc).

how old is he?

[kate & kobi]

Hi Dusty, could you give a little more info - how old is your cat, and when was the last time he was at the vet? How do you know that he has an ear infection (if not b/c the vet told you of course) and what are you using to treat it? Did you just recently start noticing the shivering (I mean, this sounds like a change of behavior)? I know you said you can't afford a vet visit, but I would at least call them and describe the symptoms - and they'll be able to tell if you need to bring him in or not.

[Dusty]

Well basically we just looked online...all the symtoms are there. He's got a black discharge in his ear, constantly shakes his head, and we suspect that this came from when he had the infestation. He would scratch his ears when they would crawl in there (poor kitty) and he cut himself a few times.....the fleas have been gone, but it must've gotten infected.

As for treatment we are just using the recommended home remedy method of a wash with peroxide, some kinda oil (my girlfriend has been handling it...its not harmful, though) and water. We just started it so that's not the reason for the shivering. He's been doing this shivering ever since we started to keep him inside...for about a month and half now. I didn't mean the treatment was causing side effects...I meant maybe the shivering was the side effect of the infection.

He's very awnry about going out. He won't get the hint that he can't go out anymore...and constantly cries for it. Its almost like he's got a complex about it or something. We only started letting him out in the first place because the guy before us started him outside (annoying...we didn't want an outdoor cat, but felt we had no choice because he was driving us insane). I posted in another thread about how he has bahavior problems about this as well (RE: Please Help - mean cat).

Oh and he's only about 6-8 months old....but he's far from a kitten. He's huge.


-Dusty

[Traci]

Dusty, sorry, but on the contrary, the peroxide and oil you're using is probably causing more harm than good (just goes to show you can't trust home-remedy advice given on websites).....first, you're probably dealing with ear mites, and if this is the case, peroxide and oil is NOT going to resolve the situation...earmites only respond to medications specifically formulated for them, and unfortunately, prescribed by your vet (please, never use over-the-counter products for pets, most are ineffective and some are toxic/lethal to cats)

Your vet will show you how to properly clean the ears with an ear rinse solution, will probably prescribe ear miticide or tresaderm and will tell you how many times a week you need to use these applications.

If there is infection present combined with the mites, the treatment will vary...only your vet can determine the problem in detail and form the most appropriate treatment plan. If you take this into your own hands without knowing what you're dealing with, you can actually make the situation worse (oil can trap bacteria, can cause waxy buildup and further the infection, trap mites causing more damage...peroxide is not effective in killing bacteria or mites)

I must caution you that ear mites or a bacterial infection , or a combination thereof, can be extremely painful and debilitating to cats...if infection is a concern, then balance and equilibrium problems can fast develop, you truly don't want your kitty suffering those effects. Please find a way to get your kitty seen by a vet ASAP and get this problem cleared up, your kitty will feel so much better, trust me, and it could presently be affecting those behavioral changes you're talking about.

[Dusty]

Do you guys have any idea on the average a trip to the vet like that would cost? Just the normal appointment and then the medication?

-Dusty

[Traci]

Depends on your location and the clinic....median: exam $35....mitaclear or miticide $3-6.....tresaderm $10 .....+/- oral antibiotics for infection $8.00 (keep in mind some vets charge dispensing fees, others don't)

Call around and get quotes from vets in your area....but do try to get your kitty seen as soon as possible, those ears are sensitive and the sooner appropriate treatment is applied, the sooner he will heal. While at the vet, mention the shivering, your vet will include a rectal temp as part of the exam.

[Dusty]

Thanks for the help, folks!

-Dusty

[jason]

Traci has addressed the infection well, but....

Oh and he's only about 6-8 months old....but he's far from a kitten. He's huge.

do you know how much he weighs? be sure to check out the body score chart to see if your guy needs a different diet or not.

[kate & kobi]

It's great that you're keeping him inside now, he's much safer indoors. I do hope you can get him to the vet, any way possible - it's really worth it! Especially since health problems tend to get worse and then they cost more later, if you put off dealing with them. While you're there you might want to ask about flea meds - they're kind of expensive, but if the vet sees signs of fleas, it would be good to get rid of them once and for all. He might also need a de-wormer if he hasn't seen a vet in a while, but luckily that should be pretty cheap. Like Traci said, over-the-counter flea meds can be really toxic but the vet-prescribed ones (Advantage, Frontline) are good.

Good luck & let us know how it goes!