Circling/Falling

One of my 10 yo males developed this overnight a few days ago. I took him to the vet Friday. In addition he has lost nearly 3 pounds since January. Vet gave me antibiotics and a steroid. He seems to have regained his appetite today but is very unstable moving. I don't have the money for an MRI. Hopefully the circling and falling is being caused by an inner ear infection and not a brain tumor or a stroke. I've read some of the stories here about similar problems and am just wondering how many of these cases turn out to be inner ear problems rather than the more serious ones. Thanks you have a great forum here.

Many years ago, my cat Harry had an inner ear prob. He was actually trying to walk on his front feet with his but in the air!

With treatment it did clear up. Hope you have the same results!!

Sounds like vestibular disease.

southbound, some info for you:

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Heal...arDisease.html

http://www.cathealth.com/vestibular.htm

http://www.vetinfo.com/feline-vestibular-disease.html

In this article please scroll down to feline vestibular disease:
http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00325.htm

Hello and welcome to TCS, I'm sorry to hear about your kitty.

If it is Vestibular Disease (inner ear) the symptoms should subside fairly quickly, within a few days, from what I have read.

If it is from stroke, it could take a bit longer.

Did your vet do blood work? If not, why not? If stroke is suspected, blood work to check thyroid, and a blood pressure reading are necessary.

It is possible for a cat to recover from stroke, it takes a bit more time, but if it was a stroke, hyperthyroid and/or high blood pressure needs to be controlled. In addition kidney disease is often associated with hyperthyroid and high blood pressure, another reason for blood work.

I am not a vet but have a lot of experience with the above. Please keep us updated on your beloved boy, what's his name?

His name is Nikky. He has had problems with breathing and severe congestion for some time now. He has been on antibiotics and steroids on and off for a while now. I am going to take him back to his old vet for some blood work this week. Maybe the medication has caused the problem with his balance. Up until a couple of days ago he was his normal self running around and jumping everywhere. I imagine the weight loss might be attributed to his loss of sense of smell from the congested/runny nose. His left eye doesn't seem quite right as far as the coloring goes but it has improved with the new medication. I need to take him back to the old vet. I don't want to mention any names but this national chain vet he visited the other day wasn't my cup of tea and the charges were astronomical.

I hope your cat will improve.

My diabetic cat used to do the circling and falling down when his BG wasn't stable ...I hope your cat gets well soon

I couldn't handle watching the poor guy looking like he was on ice skates for the first time so I took him to his old vet. He has an inner ear infection which was treated. Doc says he should be on his feet again in a couple of weeks tops. He did blood work which he sent out to a lab and should know all about that in a day. Concern is the weight loss the past couple of months. He has some other minor issues but he has been dealing with congestion for a couple of years now. He is eating his dry and wet food and seems to be in decent spirits. I just hope the blood test doesn't show anything too bad. Fingers crossed.

Originally Posted by southbound

I couldn't handle watching the poor guy looking like he was on ice skates for the first time so I took him to his old vet. He has an inner ear infection which was treated. Doc says he should be on his feet again in a couple of weeks tops. He did blood work which he sent out to a lab and should know all about that in a day. Concern is the weight loss the past couple of months. He has some other minor issues but he has been dealing with congestion for a couple of years now. He is eating his dry and wet food and seems to be in decent spirits. I just hope the blood test doesn't show anything too bad. Fingers crossed.

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for your kitty! I hope he's better soon!

I forgot to add that it took the vet today about 5 seconds to diagnose Horner's Syndrome. The vet I took the cat to Friday was absolutely clueless. It really is important to find a decent vet. I am really miffed about the wasted time and money I spent on Friday. Not only did they charge 75 bucks for an "emergency" visit they also added 30 bucks on top of that for an emergency visit. so they actually charged me twice.

After I took Nikky in today the vet recommended I bring in the cats for ear mite treatment. He cleaned all 4 gave them all Acarexx and a shot each for $70. Plus he did an exam on all 4. Plus he gave me another round of steroid and antibiotic treatment for Nikky. $70.

Blood work came back fine. Nikky has pneumonia but that is being treated and he should recover fully from that. He is still shaky on his legs doesn't push it too much but he is getting around a bit better now. The Doc expects a full recovery. I think he is enjoying the extra attention. He's a good boy.

That is great news! Stick with this vet.

Yes, this sounds like a great vet. Hope your boy is better soon!

He's not 100% yet but he has improved quite a bit over the past couple of days. He is getting around a lot better still a little unsteady but not falling. I was surprised to find him underneath me this morning when I opened the can of wet food for the family. So he's looking good. Thanks to all.

That's still good news! Any improvement is good!

Well I guess the improvement does not go in a straight line upwards. He is in good spirits and is eating and drinking. He is still having some problems getting around and falls now and then. He is tilting severely to the left with the head tilt. I called the vet yesterday afternoon. I was expecting miracles I guess. so the vet told me this inner ear infection and its damages can last days months or years. He might even need surgery to relieve the possible pressure on the nerve that is causing his problems. Hoping it doesn't come to that.

Aww I am so sorry. Trust me, I know that feeling. that it doesn't take that long.

And mega for you.

He's getting around a little better. I took him to the vet Friday and he said the pneunomia has improved quite a bit as had the inner ear infection. My female did go after him the other day but there is no way to separate themall the time. Most times she is friendly but sometimes she just acts a little strangely. Anyways. I imagine due to the stress I notice the last couple of days he has taken refuge for periods in the litter box. Not a lot though. He has no urinary problems the Doc said other than the inner ear thing and the congestion he is doing very well. What can I do to discourage the litter box hanging without stressing him even more?

Just let him. Or....set up a cardboard box with a t shirt in it you ahve slept in, near by for him to snug down in.

With all the terribly sad tales I thought maybe we could all do with a bit of good news. Nikky went to the vet again yesterday and the vet was pleasantly surprised at his nearly total recovery. He still has a minor head tilt but he has gained back most of the weight he had lost from his long term bout with pneumonia. He is running around again. The vet reco'd he stay on his daily regimen of steroids and oral antibiotics.