Cat Advice/Feedback - Possible Vestibular Syndrome?

Hello Everyone, 

Here is my story: (will try to make it short) 

Back around September 1st 2016, my cat Mustachio developed slight lack of coordination/balance. He would appear sort of as if he was drunk? Then 2-3 days later he started to develop head tilt to his left side. Still walked..decently, struggled bit to climb up our beds to lay down, and was still eating. Took him to one close vet but she basically told me "I don't know whats wrong" and to run serious of tests. I was like , ok thanks, but no thanks. Then I decided to wait few more days see if it got any better but it didn't, so we then took him to our main Vet on Thursday Sept. 8th. 

Our main Vet did following: Otoscopic exam, blood work and Xrays. (Costed $1,100 total) Only to find out basically a possible Inner Ear infection and kinda ruled out Cancer and Tumor and stroke based on Xray and bloodwork. So the doctor gave my cat Covenia Shot...and Meclizine 12.5 mg for once a day for 2 weeks. Alright, so I felt somewhat relieved wasn't too serious and hoped this treatment would help. It did not. 

By Monday September 12th, his head tilt had actually improved almost back to straight but his balance was still off. Was still walking around somewhat and jumping but with struggles, and still eating. Though I felt Meclizine was not working. Come September 15th, his head tilted suddenly to the right and since his balance has been really bad, not even walking, seems like more like crawling and his head tilt is quite severe literealy almost 80-90 degrees!  

We then contacted our vet and recommeneded we get consultation with Vet Neurologist. So Yesterday September 18th, we took him to specialist. Neurologist examed him (for $190) and said to try out new antibiotic (Zeniquin) and anti-nausea (cerenia) and see if he improved. He mentioned that based on exam, Mustachio's symptoms were of classic Vestibular Syndrome and almost assured that Zeniquin would help in a few days, and recommended to be on that antibiotic for 2-3 months?? Otherwise if it didn't work , perhaps a 3rd alternative of an antibiotic may be needed or an MRI (which is out of question/cost for me) to do a right diagnostic. Until today, Day 1 after 1 dosage of  Zeniquin, seems still lethargic, barely stands up and head severely tilted. but we will see if it responds in few days? He has no other symptoms other then severe loss of balance and head tilt. 

I sure hope this new medication can work on him because it is EXTREMELY depressing to see him barely walk and move around. Eats still but not as much and its a huge struggle to eat from his bowl as his head tilts to the right. Using litter box is also very difficult as he falls in there and struggles to get up. I fear that if this antibiotic wont work, if Covenia didnt work, and needs ANOTHER antibiotic, I dont know, I mean how much more antibiotics can he take in? I feel that if this work, since MRI isn't in my budget, I'll have to put him down as his struggles really gets me sad almost borderline cry because I feel like he is suffering. He waggles his tail so much when he cant walk as if he is upset as well or stressed. 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank You. 

Different antibiotics do different things, so I wouldn't be surprised that the Convenia didn't do the trick.  And if it IS due to a DEEP inner ear infection, it could take some time to overcome. 

Here is a thread where the head tilt went away, but the rest didn't for some time.  It's possible with Mustachio that the ear infection moved from one ear to the other, causing his head to tilt first one direction, then the other, isn't it?   I'm guessing, but thing it might be, since people can get double ear infections.  Why not cats?  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/322273/feline-vestibular-syndrome

Don't give up too soon.  Sometimes these things take time, but if your Vet isn't' talking euthanasia, then don't even think it .  And even if he is, ask plenty of questions first.   Poor baby probably IS stressed right now because he doesn't understand what or happening, but as he starts to feel better, life will be good again.

Hello there. 

Thanks for the reply! 

I know it does seem like cat is stressed because many at time his tail is waggling as he's laying down. Thinking he can't get up or walk right  

Today actually, I got home from work and he can't nearly stand nor walk/crawl at all. I he can but BARELY and his head still tilted right. He can't make it to his food bowl no more but we bring food can right to him and he eats ravenously! like crazy hungry which i guess is good sign? 

Yes doctor say wait at least 1 week to see any improvement...so far been just 3 days so far on Zeniquin and hasn't really improved. I called the Neurologist today saying i thought that he got worse since his balance was worse and whenever he tried to walk just fell right over. It just gets me sooo sad to see him this way, Im just not sure how much longer I can take this Sucks I can't do MRI because its just not in my budget Doctor said he doesn't  consider it getting worse as long he is still eating and drinking. Using the cat littler is huge problem as he cant walk no more he just barely tried to make it bathroom and did right outside the bathroom  

Neurologist also said if we can't do MRI, and if he doesn't improve, he would try giving Steroids for him and balance? But the cons of it was according to him, would weaken his immune system, not allow his body to fight the bacteria Not sure if thats true but what other choice would i Have if he needs steroids? 

 

And what scares me and worries me the most is how long ( since September 16th ) his head has tilted progressivley worse each day since to the right and now just remains at that 90 degree angle the whole time. Few rare instances he would sleep in  a box and rest his head along the edge to support his head. but otherwise its still at that 90 degree tilt  

Hello all, 

Please see below video of how my cat is doing:
 

This is how he is today. Around September 15th he had developed a right side head tilt with very slight imbalance but was still walking. As day's progressed head tilt became more severe (90degrees) and eventually his walking became to a crawl like movement and then ultimately ending up just laying on floor rolling in place but not moving at all by around September 21st. He just stayed in place, still ate but brought his food to him. Clearly also another problem was him using litter box as he could no longer walk, would release his business anywhere he was... He had been on Zeniquin since the 18th once a day. We figured he was getting worse so we brought him in to Neurologist again by the 24th. 

On the morning though of the 24th, we finally saw him to barely crawl to places which didn't do in few days since he got to that point of not walking. We thought, OH maybe he's finally starting to improve? So we took him to neurologist anyway for an examination. Doctor said still doesn't see any other nueorlogical issue other then his sense of balance is off. MRI is not in our budget nor any surgery which doctor knows. So they have given him to take 5mg of Prednisolone everyday along with the Zeniquin and should see improvements in 3-5 days. Obviously if there wasn't to let him know right away. 

Our cat has started to crawl slightly more but with the struggles as seen in the video. It's soo hard to see him like this and hard to think of putting him down because I feel like this antibiotic + steriod is like the last stand to fight whatever he has. I want to know  you guys thoughts/opinions on what he might have based on experience. I might be looking to put him down this weekend...but I just don't know how much longer this will take  

Side Note: He had his head tilted to the LEFT back on September 1st, started to lose more balance, took to vet by the 8th, got a Covenia shot, head was regulating with still loss of balance But still walking, then by the 15th his head had tilted to the right side severly and rest followed. 

PLEASE let me know what you guys think, i'll need all feedback as I can get. 

Thanks.

Mig

Have you used any flea product or wormer of any kind on him at all prior to the beginning of these symptoms?  Was he outside and exposed to any spraying for insects?  Some cats are sensitive to certain medications in these,and the symptoms manifest as neurological problems.  It is very important to rule out a chemical cause before proceeding with any other diagnosis.  If it IS one of those medications, there are things that can be done tohelp get them out of his sytstem and get rid of the symptoms.

thanks for reply. 

Not at all. not that i know of. I live on 4th floor apartment so he has no access to outside world, maybe just stare out the window which has fly net but he doesn't go out. 

Bloodwork was done (globulin was bit high?) and was little dehyrdated but not much. Tahts why family vet initially said his body might be fighting off an infection. 
Xray of whole body was done for heart disease, bones, etc, everything was normal. 

MRI is only thing left but its too much money for me, though vet and neurologist say Tumor is very unlikely as he doesn't really show any other symtoms. there is no vomiting, no diarrhea (infact hasn't passed stool in 3 days..but urinates everyday) but for most part he is resting. No seizures or eyes darting rapidly. 

Sadly we had to put him down. He was suffering wayy too much  

I dont know how long will take me to recover from this  

I am SO sorry to hear he didn't start recovering and he is forever lost to you .  it is always difficult to have to let go, but especially when you have no known diagnose for what went wrong.  I lost one of mine earlier this year, but she had a chronic illness, so I had plenty of time to prepare myself, not that it makes it any easier when the time came. 

When you feel up to it, it might make you feel better to write a memorial to your little man here:  http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge   Many people find it helps ease the pain .  It is true that time helps heal all wounds.  I'm sure it doesn't feel like it now, but some day you will look back and  think of your little guy with a smile, remembering the good times, rather than with tears in your eyes.  Most of us here on TCS have been where you are and can certainly sympathize.