Katie - Shelly had a problem like this with no ear infection. I think it was called "August Disease." It is a self-limiting problem caused by some kind of parasite (???) (he's indoor only and we'd brought no new kitties or fosters in!). His back end didn't work, his eyes were huge. Now - August Disease (I can't remember it's actual name) was described as affecting equilibrium but in a way that would make the cat go around in circles. Shelly did not do this, but could not walk properly or jump. It was gone in 2-4 days - sorry, I don't remember.
But given that she did have an ear infection, I am really hoping that's all it is - or perhaps, a combination of that and this August Disease thing.
I worked this morning, but when I got home she came out and was doing much better with walking, we sat on the couch and I hand fed her again, she didn't eat much, but it was more than yesterday
and then this evening she was out and walking around a bit and didn't go right back under the couch, I got her up in the window behind the couch (so she couldn't fall) and she was so happy to just sit and look out the window
Thank you Amy for the info on strokes- you're right, I didn't think about the right and left versus front and back- that really makes me feel very hopeful that this is not a stroke
and thank you Laurie for the info about August disease. If she isn't much better by tomorrow night I will take her back to the vet and see what she says about that
Oh Katie, what a relief! It sounds like it was the ear infection. That was the first thing they thought with Shel when we took him to the e-vet - but they didn't find an infection. We took him back to see our regular vet that Monday, and he was familiar with August disease. There's no treatment for it - it just clears up on its own. And it did. *phew* But with Pandy having an ear infection, it would seem that was the issue - and is responding to treatment!