Ear problems in a cat.

I adopted my cat Fudge from a shelter when he was 9. He came with a host of ear/throats/respiratory issues that have plagued him since I have had him, he is now 16 - will be 17 in the fall.

His most chronic issues have been yeast in his ears/ear infections and chronic sneezing and sinus infections. Over the years I have been to several vets, and have spent lots of money on treatments. It seems that he gets a little better with the treatments, and thenjust goes back to where he was.

Two years ago my vet convinced me to try a nasal flush. The day after the surgery he went into respiratory failure and was taken to an emergency vet. He recovered, but after that I decided all the medical treatments were doing him more harm then good.

This past January his right ear started to really bother him. I brought him in and they gave me drops for an ear infection and gave him a cortisone and antibiotic shot. After about 4 weeks he was getting worse so I went back, got different drops and more shots. Couple weeks later no improvement so I go to a new vet who gives him oral antibiotics. Here I am now in May and his ear is rattling and clicking with fluid. My vet suggested sedating him to do a culture so we can take it from there. I am afraid to do this because of what happened last time, and also his age and lack of response to prior treatments. The vet gave me a cream with steroid/antiobiotic mix to try twice a day. The problem is he has very narrow ear canals and is in so much pain that getting the cream in is difficult.

I am really not sure what to do. I feel like after all these years dragging him to the vet for treatments is just harassing him. But if there is something I can do to help him I want to do it. I just dont know what is the best course of action for an old man cat who has been through a lot already. Aside form the ear, he is happy - eats fine, bathroom is fine. He still plays and is active for his age. This has been keeping me up at night and every vet trip has me in tears. I am hoping for a second opinion, I want to make sure I do the best thing for him - or maybe there are other options not considered?

Thank you,
Michelle

Thank you for the reply. Part of the reason she wants to sedate is that he is a big cat and he is horrible at the vet. She has a hard time just looking in his ear and I think the sedation is so she can get in without losing a finger.

My biggest fear is the sedation. We were never really sure with the nasal flush what caused the respiratory issues, and I have been fearful of using anesthesia in case it causes that issue. Do you think that the anesthesia from that surgery could cause the respiratory issues a day later, or was it likely something else? Have you seen other cats have problems from the sedation?