Mimi - Eight Year Old Bengal (FN)

Written by Sarah Price VN, DipAVN(Surgery)

Mimi was presented to Sue Fitzmaurice on 13th November 2008 with loss of balance and scratching at her right ear.  She then developed a right head tilt and nystagmus.  The owner had noticed a dirty right ear. Neurologically she was alert, but ataxic and had right facial paralysis.

She was taken for MRI and on the MRI there was material filling the right bulla.  It had characteristics of soft tissue with small areas of fluid.

The contrast on MRI highlighted a thickened meningeal layer which could have indicated an abscess.  The plan was for our Soft Tissue clinicians to do a ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO) the next day.

Mimi was taken to surgery and a polyp was found in the main compartment of the middle ear.  Surgery was difficult as the polyp was difficult to remove. 

Post op she still had considerable balance problems and we were concerned regarding concurrent CNS disease. 

Mimi was discharged and the last we heard she was doing very well at home.  Her owner contacted us and advised "I write to tell you that she is now back to terrorising the huge tom from next door.  She has resumed shouting at all of our neighbours and at me until I guess which flavour of cat food she is demanding and normal service has all but resumed.  Mimi eyes everyone with a slight tilt of the head and she sometimes topples over after having a shake, however, these are minor impediments that we can all live with very well, Mimi in particular.

I just wanted to update you on her progress and to thank you all once again for the amazing job that you did with Mimi and that you do every day for so many other animals and owners."