Expert: Karen Craft - 7/10/2011

Question
QUESTION: My cat has had an ongoing ear infection and has been on different antibiotics, injections, liquid and now tabs for a month now, as well as ear drops. She was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma and received an injection to increase her appetite which it has. The vet noticed yesterday she has one pupil larger than the other. She cannot walk well at all on her own without falling and this morning when I put her in her litter box, she did not use it but began eating the litter. I tried again in a few minutes and the same thing. Do you know why and What can I do?

ANSWER: Hi Colleen,

The uneven eye pupils are a serious condition called Anisocoria. From what you have written I would suggest you take your cat to another vet. I would even suggest the UF Veterinary School Hospital.

http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/veterinary-hospitals/

Gastrointestinal Lymphoma is a cancer of the intestines. How was the Lymphoma diagnosed? And is she getting Chemo for it?

Has your vet figured what is the cause of the ear infection? Was a cytology performed? Here's a link about ear infections. Anything here seem that it might relate to your cat?

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/ear-infections.html

Here's some info from one of the other experts about the Anisocoria.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cats-1606/cat-eye-pupils.htm

The eating of the cat litter could be a sign of anemia. You need to get your cat to another vet now. A month is too long for your cat to be in distress. An injection to improve her appetite is not the correct thing to do for intestinal lymphoma. Go to another vet. Your cat needs better treatment. Good luck and take care.


Ciao, Karen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He said Hopey had a tumor in her ear, after reading the link you provided it could have been mites as well. I saw another Dr. on staff and he finally flushed her ears out and told me to get saline and do the same. I was previously instructed at the same visit as the appetite shot to just continue rinsing with Hartz aloe and lanolin, which is when the equilibrium issue began after I tried to clean them myself. I don't know if I'm to blame or not but am sick about it. She is now on Baytril tabs and they seem to be getting better. The pupils, except for one time seem to me to more normal, but I'm not sure, though her eyes around them seem cloudy and dark. When I called back to tell them she still had not had a significant bowel movement in almost two weeks or more he told me to give her milk of magnesia. I am wondering now if this is from the antibiotics or eating litter or both. I am afraid for her and while I don't have much money am going to look for another vet. I am in a small town and there are not a lot of options. I have already spent about $500.00 and don't know what else to do for her. She is eating good,though sometime I have to coax her and a couple of times I had to spoon feed her. I am giving her water with an eye dropper and have tried pumpkin, canola oil and olive oil. I'm worried this is going to cause more problems but can get no answers. I mentioned this two or three times and they kept telling me she had not been eating much before and also, the AD brand food he put her on did not have alot of fiber so not to expect much output but it has been too long. I read that they can have an enema is the appropriate and safe? I just want her well. The cancer diagnosis came from what he saw on her xray, she is not receiving chemo and I am now wondering if what he saw was the result of her eating the litter and it is blocking her intestines...I don't know. she is weak from the infection and the time it has taken to get it under control..it seems to be improving...and also the loss of equilibrium, He said it should clear up when the infection does...is this true? I have to help her with everything, and it hurts so much to see her like this. I only want her well again. I have changed her food, as well as her litter to feline pine What else do I do?  What should I tell him I want? Can you direct me please, I want to do everything I can do. Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Colleen,

Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you.
I hope you have had success with her having to go. However not defecating for that amount of time is a definite red flag that she has some sort of blockage. And coupled with the x-ray and the litter eating I would take her to another vet. Your vet now doesn't seem to be paying attention to what you are telling them. Cats may not go for a day or two but two weeks is too long. It sure sounds like she is blocked by the litter. Get her to another vet.

Changing the litter to a pine based one is a good step. But her eating the other type is usually a sign of anemia. You need to have her blood checked for this and if she is find out why. And then follow the appropriate treatment. She is still eating and drinking which is good. The pumpkin and such won't cause any problems. Stop with the rinsing of the ears. Get her to another vet. If your vet first said it's a tumor but then might be ear mites I would run from them. I cannot stress to you how much you need to take her to another vet in another town. Hopefully you have and something good is being done for your cat. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen