Welcome to my world - Vet Visit with Jimbo

To say things have been nuts around here would be an understatement.

My gather friends are all familiar with Jimbo our resident house and garden kitty. He's the one following us around like a dog - always checking - "What you're doing?!"

Here he is - helping me with the re-potting in the spring.

Caught him with his tongue out:)

He's become a big kitty and after six years it's kind of hard to imagine life without him. About 8 months ago we failed to notice that he had an ear infection. Next thing we know he was nowhere to be found.

Although he is an indoor-outdoor kitty with his own cat door (that he's barely able to squeeze through these days - so he let's us open the door for him when we are around:) - he stays in the vicinity. He's fixed, so no roaming either.

We searched everywhere - no Jimbo. The neighbor told us about 6 of his barn cats that were eaten by a coyote. We were frantic - the next morning, still no Jimbo.

That evening - an earsplitting howl in the kitchen - sent us running. We thought someone had hurt him or he might have broke something. He had no co-ordination at all and could barely walk. We called the vet and I gingerly picked him up and sat him into a towel lined laundry basket.

I was afraid I might hurt him putting him into the cat carrier. We were relieved he had found his way home and we were praying he was not hurt internally.

The vet diagnosed a type of ear infection usually dogs get and said his eardrums were blown up to the size of a balloon. He was pretty far gone and they were not certain what they could do for him.

He stayed at the vets in critical condition for two nights while we visited and on the third day - good news, the doc upped the dosage. He surfed the Internet and found that some of the bigger cats needed a stronger dosage and that is what made the difference - he was responding - finally.

For those of you who have kitties - pay attention if they scratch inside their ears. It could be a sign of this nasty infection. The doc said, once this infection takes hold the virus multiplies rapidly, within hours, it can be deadly.

Jimbo survived and adapted, however he holds his head crooked (to one side) when he walks to compensate for the damage that was done. The vet said this might go away or stay with him forever.

It never went away, but it improved.

Here you can see that he is holding his head slightly crooked.

Jimbo and Miss Mini-Kitty Fluffball hanging out with me in the garden.

He's been doing fine, except a minimal effect on his balance and that crooked head when he walks. Last week, I noticed him scratching his ear and thinking about our upcoming trip, I thought it would be better to have him checked out.

Sure enough that infection is back. We caught it in time, he will not need additional pills, just the ear drops. The Vet said the one ear is swollen inside.

Have you ever tried to put ice cold drops in the ear of a 18 pound fightin' cat? We found wrapping a towel around him, with one of us holding and one of us administering drops works best. Being quick about it helps too.

Here is a shot of him - none too pleased - enough with the picture taking already, Mom!

Of course I have a few scratches and when he shakes his head afterward the drops fly out of his ear - I can tell you they taste nasty-got some on my lips - and they really smear your glasses - we can both attest to that.

So here is to hoping that Jimbo's ear troubles will be over before we leave for our trip. Except for my son who as of last night is in the hospital I don't know of anyone else who can deal with him to give him his pills.

I think I will call the Vet now and see if maybe he can give him a shot to help out while we are gone. Three weeks is a long time to be gone. 

OY vey - what next!

Jimbo - woke him from his nap:) in the secret garden.