Otomax contains gentamicin, an antibiotic which can cause deafness. However, after the initial episode, things should not get any worse. Hopefully with time and supportive care from your new vet, he will be all right.

Cheers,
Dr. Jean

 

drjean - correct me if i am wrong, but i dont think the ototoxicity of gentamicin takes effect that quickly - isn't it normally very high doses (normally systemic), or prolonged usage? ive never heard of an animal having that acute a reaction to otomax in that form, though imagine anything is possible.

personally, this would make me fear that there is something else underlying.

 

I just called to check on my sick kitty. His name is Bugs. I wasn't able to speak directly to the doctor. I was told only that he remains the same. To me that might as well mean worse because he has not yet eaten anything. He can't get the food into his mouth. I'm unsure about if an IV can be used because of his instability. And restaining him without sedation would only be more traumatizing. What could have possibly been done during that cleaning procedure to have caused this horrible condition my perfectly healthy cat, and myself are now suffering from????

Lost for answers,
Susan

 

Also, I never used the Otomax because I didn't want to do anything before he was seen by my other vetrinarian. He was glad to hear that I had not used it. So it was something to do with whatever was used during the initial flushing or how they did the accuall proccedure itself. The girl doing it told me, among an ugly remark about my being upset with how Bugs eyes were looking, that there was alcohol in the solution. That solution was all over his face and head. I read somewhere that alcohol is toxic to cats.

 

I'm sorry, I don't have any information to offer, but I just wanted you to know that I am praying for Bugs' speedy recovery. *hugs*

 

I just left from seeing my poor baby. He's not any better and is developing a fever. I'm going back in a bit to talk to the doctor. It's Saturday and he closes at 12:30. Does any body know of any kind of prcedure that I could mention or ask to be done to maybe drain the fluids or X-rays to see whats going on or anything at all?? I've been checking out my rights, vet regulations, laws etc; and am in shock over all I've learned. Mimimum standard care is all that vetrinary medicine requires of these prffesionals and I want maximun care! How can I insure that be done? Any suggestions?

 

If possible, have your cat transferred to a clinic that offers 24 hour care. It does not sound like he should be left on his own overnight, maybe only being checked by a kennel attendant or cleaning person between now and Monday.

You are correct in your conclusions from your research. A veterinarian is held only to a "minimum standard of care." You cannot force a vet to do otherwise (nor, frankly, would it be a good idea to ask for a procedure they aren't comfortable or competent with; it could create worse problems).

However, you can call certainly call around and ask questions of each clinic: do they have specialized diagnostic equipment (x-ray, ultrasound, in-house blood analyzer, etc.); do they have someone there 24 hours a day and what is that person's training; monitoring equipment (blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, EKG, etc.) .

So many variables exist here as to what went wrong with the procedure, I can't even begin to guess what's wrong or even how to diagnose it. If you have a vet school or specialty referral clinic in the area that has a neurologist or internal medicine specialist, that might be your best bet. Hopefully stabilizing him and giving him supportive care for a few days will allow his body to heal.

Best wishes!
Dr. Jean

 

First, thank you, Dr. Jean for advise to call around. I am in such a state and so confused on what to ask as to what needs or how, why something shouldn't, wasn't, or can't be done for my poor baby. Why isn't he on an IV? He hasn't eaten and I don't think he's drinking water either. I know he's hungry because I've seen him try to pick peices of food up but is having trouble with getting it into his mouth. I've seen him do it while at home before taking him in, and while visiting him. He shys away from the water and freaks when I try to put a drop from my finger to his mouth. At home, before all this, he drank lots of water. Four seperate bowls that at least one was always refilled daily. When I ask why no IV, It's "If he needed one the dr. would have him on one" OR " he's not dehydrated." What does that mean? Like in "yet??" Is it not true that organ decomposition is likely to start taking effect, risking the full recovery possibly even killing my cat without water or/and nutrient from his diet after just a few days?? Does he have to be dying first or what?? Because he (vet) doesn't want, or need to or can't because it's not nessessary or vital yet? Won't my kitty's needs be greater in the long run the longer his body is made to stress. It's my understanding the emotionall stress, alone, is trauma enough to do the same metabiological damage. I'm frustrated with feeling like I'm overeacting from the looks on their faces when asking the same questions, but their "minimun standard care" answers don't make any good sense!! What they make is good dollars and cents!! I'm finding myself not trusting a vet that saved my donated turtles (because I could not afford to pay for either one of 2 options, I donated her to his practice) life and he gave her back to me. No bill. He performed a surgical removall of one side of Bugs thyroid, from which the trauma from surgery caused complications with Hepatic Lipidosis. My cat nearly died, but between his medical attention, allowing me full acsess to unlimited time visits, and a staff patient enough to sit and sweet talk him into being hand fed he survived. But 5 days ago my cat was as healthy as he was 5 years ago.
I'm not understanding why a cat that has had within 1 month lab results showing virtually nothing abnormal or out of range, who was on a routine specially formulated diet that was providing and enabling him to begin enjoying running across the yard and up the tree stump a couple times a day, inspite of his arthritic condition. Initiating Hide-an-Seek games again with me warrants a proceedure that involved using solution containing alcohol to flush and massage deep into the ears and stuuffed with cotton to clean out with what was all over his head , face and probably in his eyes because of a little redness in one, and nothing but normal amount of wax in the other!!!??? No culture. No X-rays. No labwork. No diagnosis. And no more running!!!!???? What Happened?? Was this preventive medicine to help stop the POSSIBILITY of an infection before any sign of Vestibular disorder?? OR Is it Vestibular disorder due to disturbance/solution/flushing possibly causing invitation to infection?? Any volunteers? Cause I can't seem to get a clear understanding of how, what or why in order to stop, fix or change the helpless, fearful, confusing and detieorating condition my most cherished friend of my life is in.
If Vestibular is something that eventually he will come out of(just another something I was told???how would i know)then would it not be better for him to be with me at home? He would still be stressed from the disorder but no where near as much. I have closets that could be cushioned and he could be held and eat from my hand. I could put water in his mouth with an eye dropper. So what's the deal here? The only thing I'm sure of is that I should have done better for my friend than to let someone that i had not ever even spoken to be allowed to do something without first having complete understanding of. Ultimately, I am the reason for his delima. It's 5:30am five days later, after continuosly serching for answers, unable to sleep because the nightmares of me holding his head and the ear falls off because it can't hold the weight or amount of infection any longer won't let me,... that's the only clear answer I have.
I lit a candle for my sweet sick friend after putting him in the hospital and it continues to burn without gone out. If each one that reads this post could stop for one moment and pray for the wellness and full recovery back home with me, I beleive would be more than any man's medicine could do to help whatever Bugs needs. Thankyou, God bless my cat, Bugs, and all of man with Peace, Love and Forgiveness,
Susan

 

Susan, your request for prayer is the only thing that I, or anyone on this forum, can do for Bugs. Dr. Jean is a skilled veterinarian who specializes in cats, so she has given you the best possible answer you can be given on a forum. Find a facility like the ones she mentioned.

Make those calls quickly, please, and keep us informed. Get Bugs transferred. Don't let this worry paralyze you! Take action. Do a telephone marathon, if necessary, and I will pray for Bugs. God bless you and lead you to the right people.

 

I agree with Jeanie. My prayers are with you and Bugs.

 

I just want to say thanks to everyone. I'm doing what I am able and greatly appreciate Dr. Jeans direction of help as to what to ask for while calling around, along with any support given. And, although, I am emotionally distruaght I am not without understanding the limits and boundaries of what this forum and it's members can offer. I am most grateful for all your prayers. I'm going to the phone now
susan

 

Susan, Please keep us notified of Bugs' progress.

 

I will. I got a grip and cleaned up the disaster I made out of my house while being temporarily insane. That's allways been a comfort when ever I'd come home from the hospital. Tomorrow is Monday, I do have, and will go to a doctors appointment at 7:45am. From there, well you already know where I'm going. And I can't do anything....like freak-out, panic, or conclude on what I don't know until all things are checked out or I have a good enough reason to. Right now I'm just putting on paper some reasonable concrete questions that are simple enough for me to ask and probably get an answer for. Some of your words helped me get to this state and so, thanks once again. I'll definately post on what up!
susan

 

Susan, i'm so sorry this happened to Bugs It's nervewrecking to go from a doctor you know and trust to someone you only met for the first time and who seemed to do so much damage Unfortunately, i don't see any recourse but to keep all your records and maybe sue in small claims court If you current doctor can testify that what he saw was clear mistreatment of Bugs, maybe you can win some $$$.. of course, this will never help Bugs

Please keep us updated, i'll keep him in my thoughts.

 

No, I really need to practice what I preach,(not that I'm a churhee or anything) but I do believe in prayer and incourage anyone who's concerned, to pray for Love and Peace and most of all Forgiveness. It's sometimes really really really REALLY hard when things like this happen, but people were born to make mistakes and hopefully learn from understanding the pain caused by whatever was done. I know "I'm Sorry" sometimes can never be enough, but it's certainly a nessessary start. And, of course, one way to show somebody the damage they've done is taking them to court. I can't say at this point what I might do, but it's probably not worth it, not in my state anyways, since pets are considered property and the most I could get in $$ is not even worth a mention. And, the fact that it would look bad on his reputation, and that's about it. Maybe a fine, again not enough. But word of mouth spreads mighty fast where peoples pets, no, I mean to say family members, are concerned and I'm sure if he's that imcompedent, he'll ruin his own reputation all on his own. That's how I feel right now, and that's my nature in the norm. God forbid Bugs should be left to live on life support or even die, but that hasn't happened and the flame is burning it's brightest tonight. It's the mighty 3P's: Positive Powerful Prayer.
So it be said, it shall be done
susan

 

i hope Bugs recovers quick and that the other vet knows about thissituation and what he has caused. wish you the best

 

Susan, where did you take Bugs? What's the diagnosis and treatment? And what's the prognosis?

 

Jeanie, I only have been told he has an inner ear infection, it wasn't noticable before that flush. No prognosis. I'm trying not to panick but i just left from seeing him and he looks the same only he is starting to loose weight. He can't pick up the food in his mouth and jerks when i put water on his lips but shows a slight interest emediatly. then backs off as if he knows he won't be able to so why try? I'm looking for some where eles to take him and time is of the most importance. I can see it by looking at him. There is a cat hospital here but one vet is at a funeral and the other one won't be in for 4 more hours. No available dr. there right now. Um my vet says bugs would be under less stress if i took him home. But he can't eat on his own or drink and i'm not a vet and nobody is giving me any advice. I'm again very displeased with the new staff at my currant vets place as i had taken bugs own food to them friday and the same food and water was still in his cage. Plese, what exactly should i ask for as far as equipment, monerting and/or proccedures. My vet where bugs is now gave him a cortisone shot on thursday for the swelling nothing else and it's still swollen. Should i bring him home, make a place in closet and try to force feed?

 

if you have concerns or questions, i think your best bet is to bring them up to the vet handling your cats case right now.

you are very worried and may be misunderstanding what is going on - TALK to them and make them speak to you until you understand what is going on. if you have concerns about him eating, about what procedures were performed, and him not being on fluids, NOT bringing these things up isnt helping him. give the vet a chance to explain their diagnostic and treatment choices, and speka to you about what is going on.

 

Susan, I can only reiterate what Dr. Jean said. She advised you to put him in a hospital where he will have skilled care at night, and not just an attendant. Write down your concerns, your concern about his lack of fluids and food, what your vet has done, etc.

It might help you to print out this thread--if you're afraid you might forget something. An inner ear problem affects balance, which might be part of the problem. It's possible that your vet was right. However, I understand that you're worried about him not getting fluids and, if he can't eat, Nutrical. Are you sure he is not getting fluids?

Get a second opinion if you think Bugs is in danger. Take Dr. Jean's advice if you think your cat is not getting proper care. It's possible that they're right, but the fact that the symptoms started immediately after the treatment would be quite a coincidence. The good news is that he has now lived over the weekend.

 

I am taking to a facility the only treats cats in the morning. I know time is running out but thats my only option as the dr there is at a funeral. I'm calling the emergency vet now . gotta go

 

So how is your cat doing now? I hope Bugs is ok now........ :wink:

 

I haven't been posting for awhile now because I've been consumed with doing all that I could for the wellness and stability to be back in my cats life. I have spent virtually all of my time praying, nurturing, nursing, and asking others to pray for Bugs recovery. Also, I was so angry and sad about what had happened that I carried an attitude that kept spilling over into my participating while on this forum and I do want to apologize. I hope I didn't offend anyone.
There is a miracle in progress that I would like to share. Bugs has made a recovery that is just short of being complete. Even my new vet, who made a hint that the damage in my cats paticular case very well might be permanent, is stuned by how well Bugs is doing. He has gained all but two of the almost seven pounds he lost and is eating and drinking very well. He is active and getting anxious about wanting out of the bedroom. He still cannot look upward without loosing his balance to the point of falling, but is jumping up and down from the window sill, running across the the room and bed, and rubbing and purring and loving me like he always did before this horrible ordeal. He has lost his sense of hearing direction and cannot tell which way my voice is coming from when I call for him. I have no reason to believe this is permanent, though.
Yesterday, we went to have blood drawn for a complete screening of his condition of health after all the trauma and stress he has endured. Today, the results have all returned normal. He is as healthy as before with the exception of still some recovery to conquer from the Vestibular and some slight facial nerve damage that could also correct itself in time.
Thank you so so much for all the support and patience you all put out for someone who was as distraut and upset as one person could possibly be. For me
I am grateful and thank God for His Blessings,
Susan and Bugs

 

bugs

That's so GREAT to hear. I'm so glad he's doing better. My prayers go to him that he stays healthy for a long long time!

best of wishes!

 

Susan, it's great to hear from you again! I'm so happy to hear how much better Bugs is doing, and will continue to pray the rest of his recovery goes speedily.

Don't worry about the anger, you were worried sick over your kitty and rightly so. I'm sure many of us would've been the same way in your position.