Cat's pupil dilated

[livs2laff]

My 1.5 year old male Persian went to the Vet 4 days ago for ear infection. She had to put him under to relieve stress and then flushed his ears completely and sent me home with drops for his ears. Vet said no sign of inner ear infection and all should be fine in few days. I put the drops in his ears and noticed after 2 days that his left eye was weeping and partly closed, but now I believe it's his right eye that has the issue since it's always dilated large and round, while the left eye appears normal. I took a photo and sent to Vet to show her the difference in pupil sizes and she said this can happen when ears get flushed and it should go away in a week or two. Everything but his appetite appears normal. He doesn't tilt or wobble, but he does eat a lot more and is always hungry. I stopped using the drops, per the Vet's suggestion but this has not changed my cat's eye problems. Can anyone assure me that he will be OK?

[Jade59]

Hi there!  Great news!!  Sounds like you've got yourself a good vet.  Simba is looking beautiful - love his pics!  What a gorgeous kitty he is!  Dilated pupil was certainly obvious; but almost back to normal. Whew!

This will be a great thread for our archives to give future freaked out owners *hope.*  So many posters never come back to fill in the end of the story.  So happy the end of your story was a good one! : )

[livs2laff]

Thank you so much for your posts and concerns. Simba is doing much, much better. His pupil has gone down almost to normal size and seems to be on the mend. Our Vet did contact me as they promised to find out how he was doing and if I felt I needed to bring him in for observation. I didn't feel it was necessary since his personality or appetite haven't changed and his pupil is getting better. I've posted a few pictures on my profile so you can see the transition from bad to better. I will keep an eye (no pun intended) on it and let you know his progress. Our Vet explained that the dilation can sometimes happen when the ears are flushed. I did put off taking him to the Groomers until I felt he was better and will make sure they stay clear of his head and ears when he goes in this weekend. Thanks again for all your help!

[opus88]

hi....I've been following your post and I'm wondering if you've taken Simba back to the Vet for a look at this dilated pupil? this condition can be a sign of intercranial pressure..or..I wonder if somehow the flushing of the ears did some nerve damage there? It would be a very good idea if the Vet had a look at this and there should be NO CHARGE for follow up care/concerns...it IS a very good sign that it is going down and he appears to be able to see....♥

[livs2laff]

I appreciate the feedback. His pupil is getting smaller by the day, but the shape of Simba's eye is much larger than the other and he doesn't appear to blink as often as the other. I put my finger near his eye to make sure he's not blind in that eye and he does close it when I come close so I'm reassured in that isn't more serious. The only other thing Simba had that day was Frontline for the fleas. The Vet wants him to come back every 3 weeks twice more for a dose to help control the fleas. I will definitely keep you posted on his progress and bless you for your kind words. we love our boy & will do anything to make sure he's healthy & comfortable.

[Jade59]

The one thing I found mentioned several times regarding dilation of one eye is Hypertension.  However, I have no idea if a procedure could instigate something like that.  Truly, let's take this one day at a time and after a week goes by, return to the vet for a blood pressure check at the very least.  

[Jade59]

Ok, thanks for explaining why the ear flushing.  What an angel you are to have rescued your poor boy.  It can be expensive to get these neglected kitties on the right track so bless you for being able to care for him properly.  That's how we got Jade - rescued her from neglectful owners and man, was she ever a mess!

As far as the dilated pupil, I would give it the time your vet said which would be a good solid 'nother week.  It's hard to say how long the pupil will stay dilated since this doesn't happen to every kitty after anesthesia.  Jade has been put under many times with no problem.  I am wondering if the vet didn't go a little too far into the ear and that's why he/she said this happened with ear flushing instead of saying it was from the anesthesia?  As I'm talking to you, this is ringing a bell about similar situation - I'll go back in the archives and try to find it.  Kitty didn't get any shots during that visit, did he?  

What's your kitty's name?  I'll be keeping him in my thoughts with prayers.  I totally understand your distress but if I were you, I'd give it another week before you panic, especially since he's eating well and appears to be well otherwise.  Sending you some hugs!!

[livs2laff]

Thank you, Jade, for your quick response. My cat also had a low-dose of anethesia to help relieve stress while the ear flushing procedure was done. I picked him up an hour later and, although a bit "drunk" and sleepy, he appeared normal. It's day 5 since his appt. and his right eye is still dilated. I shone the flashlight carefully at both eyes and they do restrict in light, but the dilation is worrisome to me.

In answer to your question as to why his ears were flushed. I had noticed he was scratching his ears a lot and could see brown "specs" in both ears that I thought could be mites. I took him to our Vet who said his ears were very waxy and tested the debris in his ears, which turned out to be a secondary infection from flea infestation, not mites. We rescued him 2 mos ago from horrible conditions where he was neglected and had been infested with fleas. Our Vet gave him Frontline before sending him home with ear drops for the infection (not inner ear). She told me to stop using the drops to see if his eye improves. It's been 2 days and no drops and still no improvement in his pupil.

My cat was put under anesthesia prior to this last appt for unrelated reasons (he's feisty and our Vet needed to do an ultrasound to check his kidneys to see that they are healthy) hand I noticed his third eyelid was prominent for 1-2 days, but his pupils were normal in size at that time. How long should it take for their pupils to appear normal after anesthesia? I'll wait a day or two longer before I completely freak out.

Thanks for your help!

[Jade59]

Hello and welcome to the forum.  There have been other members who've posted a similar experience with dilated pupils but it seemed their kitty's experience was due to the anesthesia rather than the procedure itself.  I would say since kitty seems fine otherwise (which is a Very good sign) give it the time the vet said, but of course, keep a close eye on him, meanwhile.  I'm afraid I can't *assure* you since we are only members here, but I will Hope your boy will be okay!

That's great, there was no infection but I'm just curious...why did you have his ears flushed?

Please keep us posted! : )