Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs and surgery results for hoarded cats with chronic ear infections
By Jacobson, Linda S et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2023·Toronto Humane Society, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A Pandora's box in feline medicine: presenting signs and surgical outcomes in 58 previously hoarded cats with chronic otitis media-interna.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 58 cats that had been hoarded were treated for chronic ear infections (otitis media-interna) through surgery. Many of these cats showed signs like itching, hair loss, and ear discharge, but only a few were not eating. After surgery, while some symptoms improved, full recovery from the ear infections was rare, and many cats faced complications, including serious ones. The study found that surgery performed by general veterinarians rather than specialists was linked to worse outcomes. Overall, while surgery helped some cats, it wasn't always effective, and more research is needed on less invasive treatments.
People also search for: cat ear infection treatment · hoarded cat care · chronic otitis media in cats · cat surgery complications · why is my cat itching and losing hair
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to report clinical findings, surgical complications and outcomes for previously hoarded cats treated surgically for otitis media-interna (OMI) and to investigate the risk factors for complications and poor outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 58 cats from an institutional hoarding environment that underwent ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO). RESULTS: Inappetence was uncommon at presentation (9/58, 16%) compared with pruritus/alopecia (50%), nasopharyngeal signs (45%), otitis externa (OE) (79%) and otitis interna (OI) (ataxia ± head tilt/head excursions) in 40%. Purulent aural discharge occurred in 36% and polyps in 26%. The tympanic bulla wall was moderately or severely thickened radiographically in 38/108 (35%) ears. Cultures were positive forsubspeciesin 26/48 (54%) cats. Of the 58 cats, 40 (69%) had complications after the first VBO and 19/30 (63%) after the second. Of 101 complications, 56 (55%), from 27/88 (31%) surgeries, were considered serious, including life-threatening perioperative complications in seven, OI in eight, prolonged anorexia in six and worsening of pruritus/alopecia in nine cases. Three cats developed xerostomia (dry mouth) after the second VBO. Pruritus/alopecia, nasopharyngeal signs, OE and purulent aural discharge resolved in a statistically significant proportion of cats but persisted in some. Full resolution of OI was uncommon. OI preoperatively, and surgery performed by a generalist (vs specialist) surgeon, were risk factors for OE at recheck (OI: odds ratio [OR] 4.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-15.70; = 0.02; surgery: OR 3.64; 95% CI 1.03-12.87; = 0.045). No other prognostic indicators were identified. No variables tested were significantly associated with risk of serious complications or euthanasia. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Surgical management of chronic OMI was successful in most cases but was not benign and not always beneficial. The analysis was unable to identify clinically helpful outcome predictors. Optimal management of chronic feline OMI remains a challenge, particularly for animal shelters. Less invasive approaches and chronic medical management require further investigation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37728478/