The reason behind your cat suddenly walking like a drunk could be that she is suffering from vestibular disease. Loss of balance can occur when a disease or injury disrupts the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear. The vestibular apparatus control your cat’s balance and coordination.
Why does my cat seem off balance?
An inner ear infection can cause a cat to experience vertigo. But a cat that stumbles, walks with stiff legs or shakes its head repeatedly may have a brain disease known as cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects muscle control and movement. A disease with similar symptoms, ataxia, causes a loss of balance, too.
Can a cat develop wobbly cat syndrome?
Cerebellar hypoplasia, sometimes called wobbly cat syndrome, is a congenital condition in cats that is neither contagious nor progressive. It occurs most commonly when a pregnant cat becomes infected with feline panleukopenia, virus and it passes to her unborn kittens.
Why is my cat suddenly having trouble walking?
The most common sign of ataxia, regardless of the cause, is an abnormal gait in which the cat is very unsteady on her feet. With a spinal cord lesion, the toes may drag on the ground as the cat walks, traumatizing the tissues of the toes.
Why is my cat walking with her back down?
Posture. Cats do a version of the “little old person shuffle” when they are stiff; they walk very gingerly and avoid the usual athletic leaps we are accustomed to seeing. Cats with abdominal pain may have a hunched back, tucking in their abdomen in a protective posture.
Why is my cat walking weird with his back legs?
Causes of Incoordination of the Legs in Cats It can originate from ear infections, congenital defects, neurological conditions, and trauma. Infections that affect your cat’s brain or inner ear can cause him to develop a lack of coordination. These infections are typically treatable with medication.
Why is my cat acting drunk and wobbly?
It’s likely your cat is experiencing an issue with her vestibular system. The feline vestibular system is essentially the balance center of her brain. When something is amiss in this complex web of nerves and synapses, she’s likely to become dizzy, disoriented, and have trouble with muscle coordination.
Why is my cat walking with her head tilted?
A common cause of head tilting in cats are disorders of the vestibular system, a sensory system located in the inner ear which provides information needed to hold the body in an upright position and move about confidently.
Why is my cat wobbling and falling over?
Vestibular disease is a condition in which a cat suddenly develops incoordination, falling or circling to one side, involuntary darting of the eyes back and forth (called nystagmus), a head tilt, and often nausea or vomiting. Vestibular disease is a disease that can affect cats of all ages.
How do I know if my cat has a neurological problem?
The signs that your cat may be suffering from a neurologic disorder include: reluctance or refusal to use its litter box; altering the way it interacts with its owner and others; and a noticeable change in its gait and apparent sense of balance. An affected cat, says Dr. Dewey, may suddenly “flop down and flail around.
Why is my cat acting drunk all of a sudden?
What causes weak back legs in cats?
The most common cause of rear limb paralysis in cats is a blood clot that goes to the back leg, called a saddle thrombus or arterial thromboembolism (ATE). This clot blocks blood flow to the affected limb(s). A clot in the back leg suddenly causes the cat to be unable to put full weight on the affected leg.
Why is my cat acting drunk?
Why Is My Cat Acting Drunk? If your cat ever suddenly acts drunk (wobbling, vomiting, and tilting the head to one side), it’s probably a vestibular problem. Vestibular syndrome is a condition during which a cat’s inner ear develops an abnormality that disturbs the vestibular system.
What to do if your cat seems dizzy or drunk?
Call your veterinarian immediately if your cat seems dizzy or “drunk”—vestibular disease can happen quickly and can be scary, for both you and your pet! If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
Why does my cat keep shaking his head and throwing up?
If your cat ever suddenly acts drunk (wobbling, vomiting, and tilting the head to one side), it’s probably a vestibular problem. Vestibular syndrome is a condition during which a cat’s inner ear develops an abnormality that disturbs the vestibular system.
Can a cat get vestibular disease from hitting the bottle?
It usually happens without warning or as result of a concurrent condition, and can affect cats of any age. The most common symptom of vestibular disease in cats is dizziness. No, your four-legged friend hasn’t been hitting the bottle…but it may look like she has! Repetitive eye movement (nystagmus)
