Rescued cat with already deformed ear...

[Gwen_k]

So i got Petunia from a rescue shelter at the end of Jan this year. They had her as "special needs" thinkinh she was partially deaf due to her severe cauliflower ear. Since both her ears are deformed to the point of being flat at all times, she is subseptable to ear  infections and currently has both yeast and bacterial. How is there no other way to fix this other than ear drops the rest of her life. Anyone know of a procedure to prop her ears so they ventalate properley. My vet just looks at me like im a horrible person. When i give her the drops twice a day as prescribed she just runs and hisses at me. Thats not the quality of life I want for any pet. Any suggestion is greatly appreciated.

[slaytheday]

I'm sorry.  I wasn't finished with my post.

  How did the rescue shelter treat her ear infections assuming she had them there?  

  Her ears have got to be painful so of course she's going to be fearful and angry about having ear drops put in.  I know you don't want to upset her in any way but that just might be unavoidable.  And before she could have any type of surgery she's got to get rid of these infections.

  I'd take her to a different vet and discuss the whole situation including how you can't bear to give her the drops and risk alienating her from you.  Have you been treating her since Jan.?  How does she act with you when you're not giving her medicine?

  If there's a Holistic vet in your vicinity that's where I would take her.

  Blessings to you both.  My heart goes out to the both of you.  Please let us know how things progress.

  Me




  

[slaytheday]

Hello.

  I have searched for the type of solution that you're seeking for Petunia kitty without success.  That doesn't mean it doesn't exist as others in the forum have suggested.

  I have to say you probably should change vets.  You don't feel good about him/her & Petunia picks up on that.

  

[AnnieBrooke]

My cat has skin cancer, and one of the spots was on his ear.  The veterinarian told me that often cats with cancerous ears have them amputated.  This would be a last resort, of course, but it seems to me you would not have to take off the whole ear just to open it to the air, if it is folded down.  That is one of the reasons I suggested you talk to a specialist veterinary surgeon and not just a day-to-day vet.

[AnnieBrooke]

There used to be a surgery a long time ago that would flatten dog ears that had gotten swollen by essentially doing a repair and then sewing flat buttons on each side of the incision to pinch the ear flat again after the fix while the ear healed.  I would definitely talk to a good veterinary surgeon, look for one who specializes in surgery, not just a run-of-the-mill vet.

[zodiacqueen]

First of all, I want to say how awesome you are for taking in a special kitty and giving her a chance!!  =)

As for possible ear surgery, you should ask your vet who they recommend you contact for this surgery.  Or, I would contact the closest teaching hospital and they just might be able to help Petunia out.  I believe a teaching hospital is your very best bet.

Where do you live?