My Cat's Balance seems off

I'm new here, so forgive me if this info is somewhere else, but I can't seem to find it.

My AllyCat is about 15 years old and is a siamese mix (got her at a shelter about 10 years ago so I'm not sure). Over the last few days I've noticed that her balance seems to be off. She fell going from the bed to the nightstand (about 6 inches apart) and then also fell going from the couch to the coffee table (again, about 6 inches apart). This morning she almost fell getting onto the bathroom counter - she could barely make the jump. She's a very active cat, runs around the house like crazy and seems to be eating and drinking normally.

Friday sometime she got sick - threw up quite a bit on the new carpet (of course! lol) but then hasn't gotten sick since so I figured it must have been a hairball or something.

Yesterday when we were sitting quitely watching tv and I was petting her she really hissed at me, her eyes seemed crazed and she hissed and then walked away. Nothing like that since and later climbed back up into my lap.

She's an indoor cat and I haven't changed her food or anything else. There are no other animals at the house. The only thing is that I had some remodeling done with new floors put in a month ago.

We have an appointment at the vet late this afternoon, but I'm just worried there is something serious going on so I'm trying to prepare myself if that is the case. I'm worried because of her age. Any ideas of what this could be would be very helpful!

Thank you,
Andy

It does sound as though she's not feeling very well, but I couldn't hazard a guess as to why. I think you are doing the right thing by taking her to the vet this afternoon. Let us know what they say.

I can't give any advice on what it could be, but all I can do is offer moral support. Maybe it's just a cold or something setting her off. That could make her irritable and maybe put her balance off. So there are things that it could be that *aren't* terribly serious. You'll be in at the vet before you know it and you'll get some answers. Best of luck!

I'm sorry about your baby and going to the vet is wise and kind.

The only time I've experienced this with a cat, she had an inner-ear problem (infection? Fluid retention?) - it was years ago, cant remember the exact details. She got her meds/treatment and all was well.

Thank you all for the speedy responses and support! I always seem to think the worst, so it's nice to have the moral support of those that can think of the minor issues it could be. I'll post tomorrow to let you know what the vet says, I don't have Internet at home and I'm leaving work early to take her in.

Sounds like she might have got into something poisionous especially since she threw up, the nuerotic behavior also suggests this. She DEFINATLY needs to see a vet ASAP! Please let us know what happens at the vet. I will be praying for you and AllyCat.

Here is a list of the poisionous plants : http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...light=poisoned

feline vestibular disease: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...light=poisoned

Obviously the vet is the best place to get straight answers.
Keep us posted, ok?

It -could- be arthritis or other joint inflamation problems setting
in. That could account for the difficulty in jumping and the
temper if you hit a sensitive spot while petting. (You only
mention balance problems jumping, not general walking ...)

Of course, it could be lots of things, hence the need for the vet.

Seriously, let us know what your vet says. We can all use
the education!

Good luck to you both!

Carol

I don't think she could be poisoned - I don't have any plants in the house at all (they die within days so I stopped getting them!) and all my household cleaners are in the cabinets. I can't imagine what could poison her.

The Feline Vestibular Disease sounds more like her - she's also been crying a lot lately, but Siamese are so vocal anyway and with all the changes at home with the construction I figured that was it. I'm just glad we'll be heading to the vet in a few hours.

Originally Posted by soccerandy

I'm just glad we'll be heading to the vet in a few hours.

Click to expand...

Please let us know what they say. I'm glad you don't think its anything poisionous.

Sounds like an ear infection to me. That can mess with the equalibrium.

sending prayers it is something minor like an ear infection or arthritis..

How did everything go at the vet? I hope she is okay.

Well, it isn't an ear infection but the vet isn't sure what it is at this point. They took blood so we'll get results of that this afternoon. He wasn't optimistic that anything would show up in the blood work. He said it could be feline vestibular disease, in which case we just wait it out and see if she gets better - then we know it was that. He said it could be hyperthyroidism, which would show up in the bloodwork. He also said it could be something more serious like a brain tumor, which we would know because she would get worse and then we have to decide if I want to get a catscan or MRI or I could just leave it be and make sure she is not in pain and is still eating. I'm still holding out hope it is feline vestibular disease and that in a few weeks/month she'll be back to her old self again.

Thank you all again for all the support and information! I'm so happy to have found this site!

I'll post later this afternoon after I hear back from the vet about the blood work results.

Andy
(and AllyCat)

sending lots of and prayers

I was thinking that it was an ear infection too.

I hope that it's nothing serious & she'll be well soon!

I know how worried you must be..I really hope your kitty gets well soon and that it's nothing serious

I too hope it nothing serious.... you and your kittie are in our thoughts!

So glad you joined TCS.
I am sending positive vibes your way and will be watching for your update.

Thank you everyone!

The vet called and her blood work did not show anything significant so our next course of action is to wait a week and see how she's doing. He is really leaning toward the feline vestibular disease, so if it is that she'll get better on her own in time. It is just so odd to see a cat that is clumsy! Usually she's so graceful.

Thanks for the hugs and well wishes, they are very much appreciated!

Your sweet AlleyCat will be in my prayers until you get this resolved.
Thanks for updating so quickly.