Gus: Cupcake, you reek of deception. Are you trying to trick me? You need more than a few measly treats. Do you think I’m a dog?
Gus had his vet appointment this week. He had his vaccines and an ear check. Ever since he came to live with us, he’s had gumpy ears, especially his right one. Not ear mites but I suspected a yeast infection. I had him checked last year but the vet didn’t think so and just cleaned them. Wrong. I’ve been cleaning his ears every few weeks ever since. On Wednesday he met with the vet I prefer and yes, he has yeast in “them there folds!” He has also gained 3 pounds since he was adopted last August. He was already a full grown 3 year old cat so that’s a lot. We call it his covid weight. He’s not obese but he’s a chonker.
Gus: Did she call me a chonker?
The thing with 16 pound cats is that they are strong. The thing with yeast infections is that they require ear drops twice a day for a week. The thing with Gus is that he’s not cooperative. I have to burrito him (wrap a towel around so his paws are immobilized). However, he can still make a wild jump before all the drops are administered. Let’s just say feeding times are not as pleasant as it used to be for the entire household. The other cats are trying to figure out how they can get something out of this situation and the peeps are always outsmarted. I consider it a win if I get a single drop in the bad ear.
It’s officially fall here weather-wise. We are loving it. Everyone including Gus and his loopy ears wish you a great weekend.
Views and Mews by Coffee Kat 
My kitty waddles across the floor too. Blackie is a Persian and likes his munchies. I He looks up at me and mrows. He knows he’ll always get what he wants.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hard to say no to them, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Years ago we had a poodle with ear issues – both ears. I was eight or nine years old, but I remember my parents fighting about Peppy’s ear treatments, repeated visits to the vet and expensive meds for him. How about you take an old hoodie to zip up Gus and gently tie the arms to corral those flailing legs with claws? Would that help contain him better? I picture Gus kicking off the towel. Hope the ear clears up quickly for you and Gus’ sake. It can’t be pleasant for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’d never let me put a hoodie on him. The towel wrap, done quickly, works well. He is getting to accept it without too much fight. My friend’s cocker spaniel had ear issues too. Something about big and floppy trapped moisture in there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was thinking the “arms” would provide a light wrap – by now, Gus should be good as new. Our cocker spaniel used to drag his ears in his food and water, then run around the house with dog food and water falling onto the floor and carpet as well as the ear issues. It did not go over well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gus is done with meds but there is still a small amount of crud in his ears. I’ll clean them every few days and put drops in. I think this will be chronic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s too bad – our dogs always had ear issues. At least you can maintain them and not have to do vet visits, usually more angst for poor Gus (oh … you too).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Gus….and you. I hope the infection clears up soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s doing much better now. Drops through Monday and then we are done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope the drops are working so both of you can relax. Teddy has his yearly vet visit this week. Last year she told him to lose some weight that 16 pounds are too much. He hasn’t lost an ounce, and he only gets 1/4 cup of food every day. Well, that and what Jack leaves in his dish.😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s not a lot of food. Are you sure he isn’t sneaking out to meet his friends at a burger joint?
LikeLike
He never leaves home without me. Do you think I should ask if his thyroid should be checked?
LikeLiked by 1 person
IDK, it just seems like so little food for a big cat. Gus gets a can of Fancy Feast split between morning and evening and there is free feeding dry available. He likes the wet and will clean up whatever the other cats don’t eat.
LikeLike
Sorry about the ears Gus, but that is one great mug shot at the top! You are looking very good these days. Love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gus: Yeah man, this ear drop thing stinks. She whacked me with a yardstick to get me out from under the bed! Can you imagine that? She better sleep with one eye open! My ears are feeling better though so it’s hard to stay mad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, feeling better does make it ok. But, should something get a little hairball on it, it might send a message. Just saying…
LikeLiked by 1 person
He weighs more than 2 x Le Roi. 🤣🤣🤣 What’s he like when the vet cleans his ears? Our mutual friend can only do it under sedation because he fights and yowls so badly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s a very laid back cat. He is submissive at the vet’s office so they cleaned it easy peasy. Getting the drops in his ear means I have to corner him (and I don’t like doing that), throw a towel over him and swoop him up so his paws are immobilized. He still got out of the towel once. I’m getting better. Last two times I closed the door when he walked into the bathroom. No place to hide there. So far I haven’t needed stitches! 🙂 I should give him catnip about a half hour before I do the drops.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chonky cats are the cutest. I hope Gus’s ears are better soon. I have the same problem with my Brody.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I peered in today and his ears were looking pretty good. I have until Monday to continue the drops.
LikeLike
Sixteen pounds of willfulness is a lot to wrangle! You create quite an image with the Gus Burrito! I hope the drops do the trick, quickly and efficiently! Have a wonderful fall weekend, Kate. We are still waiting for summer to say a final goodbye. I’m ready!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love summer but not the ones we’ve been having lately. This past week has been so wonderful. We barely hit 70. Pulling out the fall clothes and it’s like new presents.
LikeLike
I feel ya on the ear drops. We occasionally give Sophie ear drops and she hates them. And she gives the saddest cry. But at least we don’t have to burrito her (although that would be cute).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Burrito-ing a 16 pounder is scary. He has his killer mittens (although he never uses them). If he wanted to, he could slash.
LikeLike
Poor Gus! Hope his ear infection heals soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too!
LikeLike
I’ve never heard of a yeast infection in the ears. Poor Gus (and, poor you)! At least he doesn’t have to wear a collar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, no collar. I always feel badly for cats that need to wear one. The vet wanted Morgan to wear one. I told him I would put one on if she chewed her splint. She didn’t. She occasionally licked it but there wasn’t any damage and it didn’t get that wet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures of Gus! I sympathize with the challenges of medicating his ears!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dogs are so much easier!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww! Poor Gus! He doesn’t like his ears GUSsied up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is not into gussying although he does like to be brushed now. He didn’t at first but it has to feel good to get the loose fur pulled out. He comes now when he sees the brush come out or at least he did before I’d sneak in the ear drops.
LikeLike
That’s great that he likes to be brushed. Do you wish you could teach him to brush your hair??
LikeLiked by 1 person
NO!
LikeLike
Ha! Ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A chonker. I love it! I’ve got one, too, and although I’ll NEVER say it to his face, I might whisper it behind his back. 🙂 What a great portrait of Gus. One of your best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know how he gained 3 lbs. in one year but he did! We call him the hoover. Cleans it all up.
LikeLike
I have that suspicion with my cat’s ear too. But the vet didn’t think it’s needed to see him or prescribe anything. He said it’s probably just a mosquito bite. Reading your story I should switch vets.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A mosquito bite? There was a lot of black wax. Definitely not a mosquito bite. Perhaps you need a second opinion.
LikeLike
Poor Gus, poor you! He will still love you when it’s finished. I had to look up yeast in cat ears. Interesting to read. Hoping the goop goes away quickly. Enjoy your Fall weather you lucky peeps!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It bothers him but he’s good about it. I’ve been cleaning him over the last year (when that vet didn’t seem to care). I’ll be glad if this treatment lasts a while although it may come back.
LikeLike
Aww, sweet Gus…so sorry he has ear issues. I can image cold drops administered a couple of times a day would make me buck like a bronco too. I make up an essential oil formulation (contains geranium, lavender and frankincense topped up with some fractionated coconut oil) to keep on hand and periodically use a cotton wipe to clean the ears. Lavender works miracles on itchy ears like nothing I’ve ever used before. And because it’s not chemically based, I feel better about using it on both Norman & Elsa. Hope Gus’ ear issues clear up soon and he can get back to courting his harem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was using an ear cleaner but that doesn’t resolve the root cause. Hopefully this will for a while. Itchy ears have to be the worst.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They definitely are, especially when a pet is shaking his/her head all night long. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Gus. I can relate to the drop experience. My expensive eye drops have two drops per vial. If I miss an eye, only one will get treated. I have the worst aim. Have a good weekend, Kate! I think the Eagles game will be televised in our area.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always start with his bad ear just in case that’s all I can do. As a kid I hated ear drops. Weird sensation.
LikeLike
I had to have ear drops a lot when I was a kid… I loved them. My Mom warmed them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
One time my mother warmed some vegetable oil to put in my ear. She warmed it by putting a match under the spoon it was on. She bumped my ear and I yodeled! The spoon was hot! Didn’t do that again!
LikeLike
Yeah, I’m thinking not!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My Ted (23 lbs.) has had off and on yeast infections the whole five years we’ve had him including when we adopted him! It’s a tough fight but like you, every time he has one, it’s a real FUN (not) time getting those drops in his ear. Sure does the trick though – then after a while – it seems to come back. Poor ginger chonks (and poor Moms too!).
Hugs, Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was chronic. His goop builds up over a few weeks but it’s mostly in one ear. His ears canal is narrow and the flap opening is small so I suspect it’s moist in there and doesn’t get enough air. At least this round will help. If I’m lucky I’ll have enough drops to do another round in a few months if I have to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gus and I have the same ear issues….narrow canal and small flap. Oh well. Gingers are special (some good special and some not so good special….hahahahaha).
Hugs, Teddy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gingers are very special!
LikeLike
Sounds like a rough week for both of you. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Let’s hope we are friends at the end of it.
LikeLike
I would rather dose a hundred-pound dog a thousand times than a six-pound cat ONCE.
Good for getting that one drop in his ear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. We did the full drops last night and this morning. Getting anything in his right ear is good. Dogs are so easy to trick. My cats can smell the anxiety on me when I have to medicate them although this crew is easier to crate for a vet trip than my last crew was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
have a good first october weekend… and a big hug to Gus. can you wait till he sleeps to add the drops? probably not, cats are no dogs ;O)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right now he’s sleeping with one eye open and very alert to where I am. I wish I could bribe him with cheese or lunch meat like you can do with dogs. No one likes ear drops but the goop in his ears was bad.
LikeLike
Aw, poor Gus. It’s only for a week sweetheart, and you will feel better, promise.
We had similar problems with Maggie and had to keep her ears clean. She didn’t like it, but we reached a compromise…….. though it took the two of us!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Last year he had to have eye drops. That was a little easier because we were still keeping him isolated in a room. Right now he won’t let me come near him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
oh bless him. It’s a worry though isn’t it as you can;t convince them it’s for their own good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes and cats aren’t easy to trick.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So I believe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Gus, and poor you for having to wrestle him for the ear drops! With a cat that large, that can be quite the battle. Stay safe!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This morning he went to hide in the shower. Perfect! I have had to resort to the yardstick under the bed and he doesn’t understand why I’m torturing him. I should try to clean them today as hopefully the antibiotics are loosening up the goo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor guy. Hope it gets better soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too although I think I can see improvement. The vet cleaned the ears on Wednesday and they still look clean. He’s not poking around except after I put the drops in.
LikeLike