Cat staggering after ear flush

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PersianGirl

Cat staggering after ear flush

Post by PersianGirl »

A couple of days ago, my cat had her ears flushed of impacted wax at the vet's office under general anesthesia. Her teeth were cleaned at the same time.

When I brought her home, she was sort of staggering around like she was drunk. I figured it was a side-effect of the anesthesia. But it has continued all day today, as well. She is VERY unhappy, won't eat or drink, and of course won't take her antibiotic pills, either.

I called the vet's office and they said it was normal for cats to have balance problems after getting their ears flushed out, and that it would go away. But so far, it doesn't seem to be going away, and she is definitely :( NOT a happy camper. (She hid under my bedroom dresser for 16 hours, yesterday.)

Has anyone had a similar reaction in their cat to a major ear-cleaning? Do you think something like meclizine (for car-sickness, air-sickness, etc.) would help her? Also, how long is it safe for her to go without eating? Her teeth are sore, and so far all she's eaten in over 36 hours is a little bit of Petromalt.

Any insight or experience you have with this problem would be very helpful! I was trying to take good care of her by having these procedures done at the vet's (she was scratching her ears frequently before - I was afraid she had ear mites), but now I feel guilty for causing her to feel so crummy! :cry:
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davet
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Re: Cat staggering after ear flush

Post by davet »

call your vet, i don't think this is from the ear but possibly from the anesthesia...could be ear but i doubt it...
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Tina B and crew
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Re: Cat staggering after ear flush

Post by Tina B and crew »

Hi...our cat Frodo has had several ear flushes and never had this problem. I'd call my vet again and express your concern..if they don't seemed concerned I think I'd get a second opinion. Don't give her any meds without consulting a vet first.

Secondly, cats should never go very long without eating or they can develop Hepatic Lipidosis (there is another post on the board regarding that). I think I'd have the cat to the vet ASAP for some blood work...any sign of anorexia in my cats for more than a day and they are at the vet. I don't mean to scare you but it is better to be safe than sorry. You need to do everything you can to get our kitty to eat..try Fancy Feast or some plain chicken. Also if she isn't drinking she could be dehydrated and need sub-q fluids. Please call your vet ASAP and get her seen so that she doesn't get even sicker. Please keep us posted...hope all works out.
Tina B and "what a crew!"

How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein
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Traci
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Re: Cat staggering after ear flush

Post by Traci »

It is NOT normal for kitties to have balance problems after an ear flush, it's possible her eardrums were ruptured, and based on your vet's comments, I would be taking her to a NEW vet or preferrably, an ER veterinary clinic IMMEDIATELY! If the new vet determines the eardrums are not ruptured or an excessive amount of flushing was not done, then you might contribute this to an anesthetic reaction....don't wait on this, get her seen by an ER clinic ASAP.
..........Traci
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