Apparent Vestibular Disease in 15week Himalayan

Question
I have a seal lynx point male himalayan who is experiencing symptoms of Vestibular Disease.  

Last Wednesday I woke up to find him with all the clinical symptoms.  Vomiting, tilted head, swaggered circled walking and eyes moving back and forth.

He was put on Amoxicillen and appeared to be getting much better.  He only had the head tilt left.

Now today alot of the symptoms have come back.  He is staggering again, circling sometimes and vomiting.  ALthough his eyes aren't moving back and forth it appears his pupils are dilating and undilating quite frequently.  

I am a complete wreck and would love to hear what else this might be.  I can't take this anymore.  He is my baby.

ANything would help,
Crystal!!!

Answer
I am afraid this is something that you really need to consult a vet about, although I can certainly understand your not wanting to try doing this on July 4th. Did you take him in to the bet initially? Did the vet prescribe the Amoxi? If so, that leads me to believe that he thought there was no central nervous system involvement so that however alarming these symptoms might appear, they are not necessarily as serious as you think.

Vestibular disease is much more common in the summer and can also recur in response to changes in atmospheric pressure. Has it been very hot in your area? Have there been storms or other weather phenomena that would indicate substantial changes in air pressure? If so, this might explain the recurrence of symptoms and allow you a day or so of waiting to see if they subside before you rush him into the vet. In the meantime, you might try to add water to his food so that he can lick it up rather than chewing it. Chewing can exacerbate the symptoms, especially if they are originating in the middle ear.

If you started the cat on Amoxi yourself, however, you really, truly, need to get him to a vet, sooner rather than later. Any advice I can offer you is no substitute for a hands-on exam by a knowledgeable professional. With regard to whether you need to go to an emergency clinic today or can wait until tomorrow and try to see your regular vet, you should check his temperature and hydration level. If he has a fever and/or seems dehydrated, take him in NOW. Otherwise I think you are OK to wait until tomorrow. If you do not know how to take a cat's temperature or check for dehydration, write back and I'll tell you. I'll check my email again in about an hour or so.

Good luck.

iris