Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Asking here since no activity on general health board and am sorry it's so long.......My 13 year old cat had surgery Feb 1 to remove a polyp from one ear. (Had taken her in when balance issues arose. ) Other ear had lots of wax (perpetual problem with her over the years, usually handled with Otomax) so vet removed that wax plug, cleaned it out, and found the eardrum had a small perforation. She had had antibiotics there and came home with Baytril pills.

She was better at first although seemed confused but now balance is off again. Eardrum is healed but cloudy which vet says indicates infection still there. She's refusing food and seems to have lost eating instincts or knowledge of how to pick it up or chew. Sometimes she seems hungry but then just looks at the food. She always ate dry food. Have tried various cans and shredded types as well as cooked chicken and hamburger. If she eats any, it's the shredded catfood because we hold it up to her mouth but then she still seems unsure of what to do with it and sometimes it just hangs from her mouth. Mostly she licks the oil off it. I even tried soaking a little piece of cloth to see if she would suck on that but she seems to not want anything in her mouth.

Jaw does work right since opens wide to "yell" when not wanting to take pill and vet found no obstructions. Also, purr sounds and meowing are very hoarse although lungs are clear. Assume that's some result of the tubing during surgery. She does occasionally lap water.

I'm concerned she has some sort of brain damage although have not specifically asked that. I think vet is going to suggest another surgery to do some sort of drain in ear but he also seems puzzled about some of the behaviors. He has call in to teaching hospital for ideas but I know there are many good minds who read this board so am hoping for other suggestions or thoughts.
Thank you for your time and ideas.
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Jeopardy, Octavia and Medley...
remembering Catiya whose pale sea green eyes wink from the bridge 12-10

My suspicion is that there is still a problem with the ears. It is possible that the punctured eardrum led to an infection, or that the infection on the eardrum actually is much deeper. More likely, though, is that the changes relate to the polyp. While it is possible that some damage occurred during the surgery, it is more likely that the damage is due to scar tissue, or that the polyp was cancerous and whatever was not removed is growing and putting pressure on the brain. Was the polyp sent for a biopsy?

Thank you for the reply.
No biopsy; said it was shaved off in little slices so not possible. They also think infection deep since hasn't responded to different antibiotics and a drain necessary so taking her to vet school for exam and possible surgery.