Loss of balance is not a disease, but rather a clinical sign of various health conditions. If your cat stumbles, falls, has weakness in their limbs, has difficulty hearing, or walks in circles, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
Some cats who suddenly lose their balance will roll over or fall to one side. They may also feel nauseous from the feeling of being unsteady. Other cats may even vomit. Pets with chronic loss of balance are less prone to nausea because they have adapted to the condition over time.
If your purring friend shows signs of losing their balance, watch for the following:
1. Falling
A sudden loss of balance is often accompanied by a fall. Cats will not feel stable on all fours and will often fall sideways.
Depending on your cat’s underlying condition, falling can also occur after the blood and oxygen supply to the brain is cut off, which is called collapse.
2. Difficulty standing
Depending on the underlying condition, your cat may have trouble standing upright. This is also when you will realize that your pet is losing balance and that something is wrong with him. You may also notice your cat leaning or falling. Difficulty standing can be a clinical sign of several conditions, so you should check your cat’s condition with your veterinarian.
3. Stumbling
If your cat is stumbling while walking, he may appear drunk or dizzy. This unsteady gait is usually secondary to a neurological or inner ear condition. In addition to stumbling and sudden loss of balance, cats suffering from neurological disorders may exhibit other clinical signs such as walking in circles, uncontrolled and rapid eye movements, vocalizations, and more.
4. Walking in circles
Walking in circles or spinning (especially in the same direction) is a clinical sign of a neurological problem. It may occur along with a sudden loss of balance or be accompanied by other clinical signs.
5. Limb weakness
If your cat has weakness in the limbs, it may seem like they cannot stand on all fours, stand up, or lie down. Muscle weakness can be a clinical sign of anemia, potassium deficiency, vestibular disease, spinal disease, diabetes, or neurological disease.
Muscle weakness leads to a loss of balance, as cats cannot stand on their feet. Regardless of the cause of muscle weakness, take your cat to the vet for proper diagnosis and immediate treatment.
6. Continuous eye movement (nystagmus)
Nystagmus is characterized by involuntary eye movements. The most common cause of nystagmus in cats is vestibular disease. In this condition, which affects the inner ear, your cat will feel dizzy and nauseous and may even vomit.
7. Excessive vocalization
Vocalization usually occurs as a result of fear. Your cat does not know what is happening to him, why he feels dizzy or why he is losing his balance. In other cases, vocalization occurs as a result of a behavioral problem or as a clinical sign of neurological disorders or medical conditions that cause pain.
8. Difficulty hearing
When your cat has hearing problems, he will no longer come when you call him, loud sounds will no longer make him respond, etc. When a sudden loss of balance and difficulty hearing occurs, the cause is usually vestibular disease. In this condition, hearing difficulty occurs due to ringing in the ears. Additionally, many cats with vestibular disease are deaf.
9. Nausea/Vomiting
Nausea and later vomiting, along with sudden loss of balance in cats, usually occur due to vestibular disease. A cat that is experiencing nausea will hypersalivate and lick its muzzle excessively.
10. Vestibular Disease
Vestibular disease in cats is a common condition that affects the sensory system in the inner ear, responsible for maintaining balance. Symptoms may include tilting the head to one side, stumbling and lack of coordination, frequent falls, erratic eye movements, spinning in circles and unusual movements, difficulty hearing, and more.
How to Help a Cat Who Suddenly Loses Balance
Since sudden loss of balance has many causes, most of which are serious, it is recommended that you take your cat to the vet immediately. The sooner the cause is diagnosed, the better your cat’s chances of recovery.
What you can do when your cat suddenly loses balance is to make sure that he is not in a high place where he could fall and injure himself. Do not try to give your cat water or food until you see that he can stand on his feet. If you try to force her to drink or eat when she is dizzy, you risk choking her and making the situation worse.
Diagnosing a cat that is losing balance
Diagnosing your furry friend in such a situation is a complex process that requires a comprehensive approach and careful examination of multiple factors. The veterinarian will go through several basic steps to determine the cause of the loss of balance:
• Physical examination and neurological evaluation – includes observing the cat’s gait, coordination, and reflexes, as well as checking sensation and motor functions.
• Detailed history – information from the owner about the onset, duration, and progression of symptoms, as well as possible previous illnesses or injuries.
• Laboratory tests – blood tests and urinalysis can detect metabolic disorders, infections, toxic effects, or other systemic problems that may lead to ataxia.
• Imaging – X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans provide a detailed view of the brain, spinal cord and inner ear and can reveal structural abnormalities, inflammation or tumours.
• Lumbar puncture – Cerebrospinal fluid may be examined if inflammatory or infectious diseases of the nervous system are suspected.
These diagnostic methods help the veterinarian determine the exact cause of the condition and prescribe the most appropriate treatment, which is essential to improving the condition and quality of life of the affected cat.
Sudden loss of balance in cats is not a medical condition but a clinical sign. It can occur for a variety of reasons, some of which are serious. When your cat suddenly loses balance, you may notice the following: tilting the head to the side, falling, uncontrolled eye movement, spinning, vomiting and excessive meowing. If you notice these clinical signs, take your cat to the vet immediately. Conditions like diabetes, anemia, or cancer can put your cat’s life at risk. The sooner the cause of the sudden loss of balance is diagnosed, the better the chances of your furry friend recovering.
Illustrative Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/assorted-color-kittens-45170/
