PamsWarren
Well-Known Member
Last night when I got home from work, I noticed that Fuzz was scanning (head tracks to the left). The scanning is not constant, but occurs in somewhat short bursts. He also seems a bit disoriented. He's not rolling, but I've noticed that when he hops around, he acts like he is not quite sure where he is. There is no nystagmus.
We saw the vet this morn. He increased Fuzz's Metacam dosage to .5mg/kg 2x per day hoping to reduce any inflammation in the inner ear, I believe. He also prescribed oxibendazole 1x per day for 2 weeks. Fuzz is currently on long-term Chloremphenicol; we did not change the antibiotic at this point, but we may change to Baytril if no improvement.
I should also mention that Fuzz's weight is down .08kg in the past three weeks (he went from 1.78kg to 1.7kg), despite the fact that he seems to be eating well. He's also been drinking quite a bit in the past couple of days (or at least a lot for him) and I've started finding pee in places it should not be. Not sure if Fuzz is responsible for the pee or if it is his mate, though.
A bit of background - Fuzz is a 13yo neutered male with chronic molar issues and glaucoma. He was previously prescribed long-term Chloremphenicol for recurring URI symptoms (which the Chloremphenicol has kept under control very nicely). So, I have a hopping pharmacy here, but aside from the scanning and frequent molar rasps (without anaesthetic), he seems to be doing ok - he is eating well, grooming himself and doting over his mate.
I had a 13yo girl who met the same sort of fate a year or so ago, so I am not overly hopeful that Fuzz will make it. OTOH, Moccasin's condition progressed much quicker than Fuzz's - by the time I noticed there was anything amiss with her, she was rolling and had severe nystagmus. It seemed to happen overnight. Fuzz is at least still eating and acting pretty much normal.
Of all of the ailments that can afflict these guys, head tilt and spinning have to be the worse. They scare the crap out of me, actually. Fingers crossed that Fuzz does ok for a little while yet. I know he's not going to live forever, but he and Muffy, his 12yo mate, depend on each other so much. I know she will go downhill very quickly without him.
We saw the vet this morn. He increased Fuzz's Metacam dosage to .5mg/kg 2x per day hoping to reduce any inflammation in the inner ear, I believe. He also prescribed oxibendazole 1x per day for 2 weeks. Fuzz is currently on long-term Chloremphenicol; we did not change the antibiotic at this point, but we may change to Baytril if no improvement.
I should also mention that Fuzz's weight is down .08kg in the past three weeks (he went from 1.78kg to 1.7kg), despite the fact that he seems to be eating well. He's also been drinking quite a bit in the past couple of days (or at least a lot for him) and I've started finding pee in places it should not be. Not sure if Fuzz is responsible for the pee or if it is his mate, though.
A bit of background - Fuzz is a 13yo neutered male with chronic molar issues and glaucoma. He was previously prescribed long-term Chloremphenicol for recurring URI symptoms (which the Chloremphenicol has kept under control very nicely). So, I have a hopping pharmacy here, but aside from the scanning and frequent molar rasps (without anaesthetic), he seems to be doing ok - he is eating well, grooming himself and doting over his mate.
I had a 13yo girl who met the same sort of fate a year or so ago, so I am not overly hopeful that Fuzz will make it. OTOH, Moccasin's condition progressed much quicker than Fuzz's - by the time I noticed there was anything amiss with her, she was rolling and had severe nystagmus. It seemed to happen overnight. Fuzz is at least still eating and acting pretty much normal.
Of all of the ailments that can afflict these guys, head tilt and spinning have to be the worse. They scare the crap out of me, actually. Fingers crossed that Fuzz does ok for a little while yet. I know he's not going to live forever, but he and Muffy, his 12yo mate, depend on each other so much. I know she will go downhill very quickly without him.