Vestibular Disease in Cats

Cats are known for their exceptional grace, balance in high places and ease of movements that make it seem as if they glide from one spot to another. However, vestibular disease can leave cats clumsy, afraid to climb and with awkward movements. Many pet owners mistake the symptoms of vestibular disease for a stroke in their felines.

Vestibular System

The vestibular system, which begins in the brain and runs into the inner ear, keeps the head and body in correct orientation and the body balanced. There are two types of disease that affect the vestibular system in cats: peripheral vestibular disease and central vestibular disease.

Symptoms

Your cat may appear dizzy if it is suffering from a disorder of the vestibular system. Other symptoms include falling, lack of coordination, head tilting to one side or another, circling, rolling, stumbling or walking as if the cat is drunk.

Peripheral Vestibular Disease

Most diseases of the vestibular system fall in this category, and the cause is often not known. It primarily affects young to middle-aged cats, and occurs in late summer and early fall. In the southeastern United States, peripheral vestibular disease is sometimes associated with cats eating blue-tailed lizards.

Central Vestibular Disease

Central vestibular disease often includes symptoms not seen in peripheral vestibular disease, including depression, head tremor, weakened jaw, and excessive staggering or stumbling. A brain tumor is often the cause.

Diagnosis

Vestibular disease can strike suddenly. The veterinarian will begin by doing a physical examination, and will rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms such as an inner ear infection, head trauma, or polyps and cancer in the middle ear.
The veterinarian will do a neurological examination and an examination of the cat's ear canal. The doctor may then order a complete blood count, biochemistry tests and additional diagnostic tests such as a spinal tap, MRI or X-ray.

Treatment

If your cat is diagnosed with peripheral vestibular disease, little treatment is usually given because the condition gradually improves on its own within a few weeks. However, the cat may have a permanent head tilt as a lasting condition of the disease.
If your cat has central vestibular disease, the underlying cause of the condition must be determined and treated. Oftentimes, central vestibular disease is devastating to a pet, and it may never recover.
With both types of disease, motion sickness medication is often prescribed to help reduce nausea so the pet can eat.

Home Care

Keep your cat inside if it is recovering from vestibular disease. The cat should also be kept away from staircases and other high areas where it likes to climb until its balance returns to normal.