Conference misery::feline

    Here's my method of medicating ears.  Rule number one for cats is
    whenever your human puts anything in your ear, shake your head
    violently and fling the stuff all over.  So, now that you (the human)
    knows rule number one, this should be a snap. :')
    
    Put cat on the floor between your knees (straddle cat).  Grab a hold of
    one ear flap firmly with your left hand.  Squirt medication into ear
    with right hand, then massage the base of ear (DO NOT LET GO OF THE EAR
    WITH YOUR LEFT HAND or rule number 1 will happen!).  While holding ear
    flap with left hand, grab other ear flap with right hand.  Once right
    hand has other ear secure, let go of first ear with left hand.  Quickly
    insert medication into ear and rub base of ear to help medication be
    absorbed.
    
    Now, let go of ear and step back quickly since the cat will now be
    practicing rule number 1.
    
    Jo

re: previous instructions

and for those of us with a higher clutz-factor than Jo, try this:

	get large bath towel.  Lay towel on floor or table.  Sneak up on,
	AND GRAB, your feline (this is the hardest part - after awhile,
	they get onto you and when you approach with that "doctor the
	ear" look - they are gone!).  Lay feline on towel, and holding
	feline by any manner that will work and not cut off air (hey,
	I'm a realist here), wrap feline tightly in towel, from chin
	to past hind feet.  Ideally, front legs will be wrapped down
	and against the body - don't worry, the cat has no real shoulder
	and this doesn't hurt it.  If done correctly, the end result
	is a giant cigar shape with a cat head sticking out one end.

	I need not mention that this will be a very unhappy cat head...
	however, you now can work on cat ears and treat as necessary.
	At this point, pay attention to what Jo said, they do practice
	step 1 very well and the meds probably don't taste good.

	when finished, release cat from towel and save towel for next
	treatment.

This also works when treating the other end...you just have to peel
up the towel to the desired level.  The cat head will be even less
pleased with that, I will warn you now.

	>> "when finished, release cat from towel and save towel..."
    
    Save towel to hide under while cat practices rule number 1!! 8'D 8'D
    
    Jo

    My beloved Tamba always had dirty ears (if you saw his big ears...
    you would no why)...but anyway when the vet cleaned them Tamba would
    sit there and enjoy it...but when I tried at home...Tamba was such
    a baby he wailed the whole time.   I truly thought I was doing something
    wrong but learned that Tamba just didn't like to have medical work done
    to him at home!  He was a sweet pussycat for the vet!!
    
    We have always used the two human method...where hubby holds him
    and I do the dirty work!  And I agree with Rule #1...when your done
    get out of the way!!
    
    Sandy

    Oh, we've been there, and I sympathize. Two of the notes on my
    Poppy's chart at the vet's are "builds ear wax" and "difficult to
    medicate." We follow the method Dian recommends and always use two
    people. One just can't handle her and get the stuff in the ears. We
    also try to catch her when she's asleep. We can get at least one
    ear done before she figures out what's going on. You might also try
    using different-colored towels or blankets. We haven't had to give
    Poppy ear medicine for quite some time, but she still runs when she
    sees any large piece of white cloth. We've had some success in sneaking
    up with old blankets or other towels. 
    
    Finally, I can't remember which medicine it is, but one of them is
    yellow in color and stains, so be careful about getting it on your
    clothes (kind of hard when the head-shaking starts).
    
    Good luck.
    
    Kate
    

Experienced some degree of success last nite using a new technique.  First I
got the wood stove cranking.  The Beast being attracted to heat layed down
in front of it to bake.  After 10 minutes he had turned to putty and my wife
held him in place while I did the dasterly deed.  I was even able to get in
there with a Q-tip.  He got up, shook it off then imediately went back to
bake the other side.


Dr. Earwax

After putting medicine in the ear, I usually 'close' it by pressing the flap
down over the opening.  Sort of helps the medicine in while I rub the base of 
the ear.  Not that HannahKit enjoyed it any more, but she doesn't have ear mites
any more.  (She also knew that 'here comes the medicine' approach and used to 
howl like I was trying to rip her ears off!)

    My personal opinion is that most cats display a much different
    personality while at the vets.  This especially holds true for when a 
    vet demonstrates how to medicate the cat and it looks so easy, but then
    you get home, try the same steps and it just doesn't work right!
    
    Not sure if this was mentioned in the earlier replies - try bringing
    your cat into the bathroom and closing the door behind you.  This way
    here, the cat knows he/she can't escape and there's two humans (unless
    you are doing this by yourself) versus one small cat in one small room.  
    
    I used to get in the bathtub with one cat, medicate his ears, and if he
    shook his head afterwards, I just ran the shower for 30 seconds. 
    Cleanup was simple.  :^)

    Cats do react differently inside of their environment than out.  We
    have a housecall vet, and the cats are not always on their best
    behavior with her, especially Kelsey.  Years ago when he was brought to
    the vets he was so scared he'd just freeze and everything they did
    looked so simple.  With Linda, our housecall vet, Kelsey is a
    screaming, raving, maniac.  I will probably start bringing him to her
    to make things easier on all of us.
    
    The two times I had to medicate ears they practiced Jo's rule.  Didn't
    matter how long I held that ear flap closed after rubbing, as soon as I let
    go it was duck and cover, every man for himself!!  :^)
    

    Honey is a pain in the butt to medicate.  During one bout of some kind
    of infection, I had to bring him to the vet twice a day so that
    Rebecca, the vet tech, could pill him.  She never had a minutes trouble
    with him.  Plop him on the table, open the mouth, down went the pill, a
    kiss when on top of the head.  Done.  I asked her how she did it since
    he wouldn't let me near him and she said "It's all in the attitude. 
    I'm in charge of this pill, not him".  Hmph...now, when I have to
    medicate them, I never, ever act timid or feel sorry for them.  I feel
    sorry for them after, but never during.
    
    You, Dr. Earwax, need an ATTITUDE!!  Just think of yourself as Man with
    a Mission...it's easier on both you and the kitten.
    
    Mary, who's raised attitude to an art form...
    

    >>I used to get in the bathtub with one cat, medicate his ears, and if he
    >>shook his head afterwards, I just ran the shower for 30 seconds. 
    >>Cleanup was simple.  :^)
      
    Boy, talk about disciplining a cat!!  That will teach him to shake his
    head! ~/~ 8'D %^} 
    
    Jo
    

    Most of you know that I recently took Amelia in for a teeth cleaning
    visit and discovered she had an ear infection.  I just need to share
    with someone what has transpired since that visit.
    
    Amelia's ear was very infected and I was sent hope with Clavamox and
    some Gentocin Otic (in-ear antibiotic drops) and told to return in 
    a week.  A week later we did a recheck and she still had alot of fluid
    in her ear.  Again, I was told to bring her back in a week.  I took
    her in early last Friday for what I thought was a quick recheck.  Boy
    was I wrong.
    
    The vet still found fluid in her ear.  I was asked if I would leave her
    and let them put her under anesthetic again to check the ear a little
    better.  I reluctantly agreed figuring it was better to do it while she
    was there than to have to reschedule.  I was not emotionally prepared
    for this and was basically a basket case all day.  At 5:00pm I went
    to pick her up and get results.  The vet told me she has a ruptured
    ear drum.  He says the ear drum is basically not there any more.  He
    showed me the x-rays and in her right ear you can plainly see the 
    ear canal and it looks perfectly fine, on her left ear the ear canal
    is just a mast of white on the x-ray.  
    
    Amelia still has fluid in her ear and we're treating her with Cefatabs 
    and Gent. Otic still.  We're trying to clear the fluid up with 
    antibiotics.  If it doesn't work she will need surgery to drain the ear.  
    The vet would like to avoid this surgery if we can as he calls it a 
    "fussy" operation that is very expensive.  Also, there is no guarantee 
    that the fluid will not build up again afterwards (I heard at the cat 
    show that there is a cat that has had to have this operation 3 times 
    already).  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the antibiotics will take 
    care of it.
    
    BTW, We have no idea what caused this at all.
    
    Poor Amelia.  She's one of those cats that does not show when she is
    not feeling well.  I'm only now noticing that her personality has been
    very slightly different as she becomes her sweet loving self again.  
    She's even nice to Onyx now (well, some of the time).
    
    As for me, well, it cost another $100.00 on Friday to have her ear
    checked/x-rayed, etc.  I'm yanking quite a bit of money out of my 
    little (and I do mean little) savings account to be able to cover the 
    rent.  I am praying that she won't need any surgery.  If she does, I'll 
    find a way to do it but, let's hope she doesn't.
    
    Jan

    poor Amelia...poor Jan!!    Please keep us posted and here is
    many kitty prayers that the medicine will resolve the problem!
    
    Could you work a payment plan out with your vet....that is the
    ONLY way I have survived this last winter!!
    
    Good thoughts coming your way...
    
    Sandy

    If it comes down to it, I'll try to work a payment plan.  However,
    I believe The Cat Hospital is big on repayment at time of service.
    I'd use a major credit card, if I had one.  There are other options
    such as selling my stock (unfortunately there's not going to be 
    a lot of money coming from that right now) or taking a loan on my
    Save amount, etc. but I'm hoping it won't come to that.
    
    Thanks for the good thoughts.  I sure need them today.
    
    Jan

Dear Jan,

I'm sorry to hear about Amelia, it must be really hard having to deal with
this all of a sudden, especially with Jo recovering from her surgery at the
same time!

Lots of love and hugs to you both!!

Jill

    Thanks for the love and hugs, Jill.  I thought I was handling this
    all okay but lately I've been a little short with people around me
    and I think the stress is beginning to show.  Everyone in this file
    has been wonderful though and I want to thank you all for being such
    loving, caring people.
    
    Jan

    Well, I have some good news...and we're keeping all fingers and paws
    crossed that the good news will last.
    
    I took Amelia in on Saturday for a recheck of her ear.  The vet did
    not put her under anesthetic this time, he just checked with the ear
    scope thing.  He says the ear has improved significantly.  He could
    even see the eardrum (or what is left of it).  He says that if she
    keeps improving, there is a chance that the eardrum could seal over
    and that she may regain some hearing capability in that ear.  No
    guarantees though.
    
    We're continuing the agressive antibiotic treatment.  She's getting
    oral antibiotics and in ear antibiotics twice a day.  I'm to call
    the vet in 7-9 days to decide the next step.  He wants to see her
    before I run out of antibiotics because he doesn't want to have a 
    break in the treatment if we need to continue it.
    
    So, we're happy, happy, happy!
    
    Jan

    Jan, I'm so glad to hear the good news about Amelia.  I hope she
    continues to improve.
    
    All our fingers and paws are crossed, too.
    
    Steffi, 3M's & L
    

so glad to hear she is doing so well....i know how stressing it is to have
your "favorite" cat hurt - you love them all, but one is always the special
cat and it tears you up triple time when that one is hurt or sick.

		D - whose Missy Hana has a sore on her tail...off to the
			vet tomorrow afternoon!

    

    More good news!
    
    I had another followup visit for Amelia this morning.  The vet says
    she does not have any fluid in her ear now.  I'm to continue the 
    in ear antibiotics for 1 more week, then stop.  After 7-10 days of
    no antibiotics, I'm to bring her back for a final check.
    
    Dr. Shanker from The Cat Hospital has been great through this whole
    thing.  I've spent alot of time in and out of the vets office and on
    the phone with him and never once has he treated be as an over reacting
    kitty mom.  He is extremely gentle and loving with Amelia and I haven't
    been charged for the quick rechecks on the ear unless there was the
    purchase of more medication involved.  The staff at the Cat Hospital
    has been great too, especially Theresa who was always there to help and
    to comfort me when I had to leave Amelia the times she required 
    anesthesia.
    
    I'm happy, happy, happy, again today.
    
    Jan

    Jan!
    
     That's GREAT news! I was just about to send you mail to ask how Amelia
    was doing, when I read this note! All fingers and paws will remain
    crossed until she gets the clean bill of health! I love getting good
    news on a dreary, rainy New England day! :-)
    
    Love,
    
     Y    
    

    Just wanted to let everyone know that I took Amelia in for her final
    followup on her ear problem.  The ear was pronounced completely free
    of fluid and infection and no further followup appointments were 
    scheduled.
    
    YEAH!
    
    Jan

    That's wonderful news, Jan.  I'm so happy for you and Amelia.
    
    Steffi

    I'm sad to report that Amelia's ear has fluid in it again.  Luckily,
    I caught it very early before it became a raging infection again.
    I had to take Ariel in for his all-clear on earmites appointment
    last Saturday.  I noticed Friday night that Amelia sort of flinched
    a little when I scratched her around that ear so I carted her in 
    too.  She is receiving antibiotic drops twice a day in the ear and
    she'll be checked again in 2 weeks. 
    
    Looks like I may be dealing with this on a continual basis.  Bummer.
    
    Jan

    Oh Jan, I hope she'll fully recover again as she did before.  Kitty
    prayers being sent her way.
    
    Steffi

    Poor Amelia!  Does the vet have any idea why these ear infections keep
    recurring?
    
    Kitty prayers & crossed paws,
    Michelle

    He's not really sure.  She had a terrible case of earmites as a
    kitten and that ear has always had a problem with excessive debris
    as a result.  Why it suddenly started having infections and fluid
    accumulation after 6 years is unclear.
    
    Jan
    
    P.S.  Thanks everyone for the good wishes and prayers.

    My D.P. Gremlin has the same recurring problem of excessive debris in
    the ears which I have to treat regularly with medication from the vet
    (Panalog ointment). 
    
    This has been happening since I found him abandoned as a baby and
    though he didn't have earmites at the time, he had had them prior to my
    finding him, the vet told me.  He is also my chronic URI cat and comes
    down with URI's often, having to go on Amox. tabs and eye drops (he
    just hates anything put in his eyes so it's a real struggle).
    
    Pat & Clan