deafness

[kersh]

a couple of samples have been taken from our cats ears and we're currently awaiting the results
as you say if there's no signs of bacterial/fungal infection then surely there's no point in carrying on with the antibios?

yes we're keeping the cat in at the moment
it's not a major problem now as the weather is currently quite bad in the UK so she probably wouldn't have gone out in any event
the trouble will start when the sun comes out!!

i know vets are only doing their jobs but as a lot more people are insured nowadays i wonder exactly when the caring about the animals stops and the caring about the money starts?
sorry for sounding so cynical but that's the way i feel at the moment!!

[myfamilia]

Antibiotics are only helpful where there is a bacterial infection. Antibiotics do not help a virus or fungal caused problems. The thing with using antibiotics is they kill all bacteria, good and bad. That means, if oral antibiotics are used, then all the good bacteria in a cats digestive track gets killed. The reason we are told to make sure we give medicine on time and until gone is so the bacteria doesn't get a chance to fight back. If there is even a trace of bad bacteria left, not only is it likely the infection will still be there, but the bacteria makeing the cat sick will be of a stronger kind and more resistant to antibiotics. Making the infection harder to fight.
Good bacteria is part of the immune system and is what helps fight off sickness. When there is an infection going on 20% is bad bacteria and 80% is good. Antibiotics kill all bacteria but if not all the bad is killed then it will return stronger because it takes over where the good used to be.
It can take up to a year for a cat to regain the good bacteria that is natural and part of it's system. In the meantime his system is weakened and suseptable.
Some cats loose their appetaite while taking atbtics because their belly aches. Giving plain yogurt will help put some of the good bacteria in the stomach long enough to help with an appetite.
And don't feel bad about sounding cynical. It's totally understandable. If you've read any of my post concerning what happened to my cat Bugs, well, I was close to being out-of-control. It just happened 9-15 of last year and I'm still nursing my BugsyBoy.