Siamese with sudden nystagmus: help!

My 11-year-old much-treasured Snowshoe Siamese - previously in brilliant health - suddenly developed nystagmus (rapid, almost imperceptible, side-to-side eye movements) in both eyes. Straight to vet, vet said a stroke, but I'm not sure that he's seen many feline strokes so I'm feeling uneasy. Stroke (assuming it was one) was 9 days ago, but her eyes are still flickering.

She's eating as normal but much quieter. The vet showed that her front legs have lost some of their neurological responses - so I suppose it must be a stroke. She's on an anti-inflammatory, antibiotics & Fortekor 2.5 - but not sure why or if these meds are what she should be on.

Has anyone any experience? I totally adore this beautiful cat. I need to now I'm doing all I possibly can. Help, please! Thanks.

I'm sorry to hear your cat's health changed so suddenly. It is such a worry when you have a more mature cat.  

Did the vet say what they thought the nature of the stroke was, e.g. if your cat has developed high blood pressure?  To me that would make sense with the Fortekor as I was told with my previous cat that kidney and blood pressure issues often go together (one causing the other and difficult to tell which happened first).  My cat's high blood pressure and reduced kidney function were detected at an annual check up when she was 18 and thankfully she responded well to medication so never had a stroke.   I always watched carefully for signs of one though.   She had lost most of her sight due to the high blood pressure.   My positive thoughts for you here are that once my Pal was on medication her blood pressure and kidney function stabilized very well and she survived another 4 years with me - until she was almost 22! 

With his eyes still flickering from side to side, did your vet say anything about whether they expected an improvement and if so how long it might take?  Recovery after a stroke can take time, and it also takes time for a cat to get used to any changes in strength, vision or coordination they might have to cope with.  Behaviour can change as a result of a stroke too, but being quieter sounds just as likely to be down to not feeling well.   If you are worried about anything it is reasonable to expect your vet to talk through over the phone what you are seeing after the recent consultation, and then if there are still concerns they would advise you to take your cat back in.  The best way to know if there are any ongoing problems is to observe closely like you are doing, and then phone the vet to describe what you are seeing or feeling.