Elderly Cats & Balance Problems

Hundreds of years ago cats crossed the ocean to North America with the Europeans. Since then they have become a popular pet and companion. In the wild a cat will usually live between 2-5 years. Domestic cats live much longer, sometimes up to 17 years. During old age many cats will face health problems. If your elderly cat is having balance problems you need to see a veterinarian to get an accurate diagnoses. Some conditions causing the imbalance may be treatable, but unfortunately others are not.

  1. Encephalitis

    • Encephalitis is an inflammatory disease the affects the cat's central nervous system. This includes the brain and spinal cord. This is caused by fungi, bacteria, infections, viruses, and tick bites. Symptoms of this condition include imbalance, lack of coordination, head titling, tremors and face paralysis. Blood work, urinalysis, an x-ray, ultrasound, or spinal tap will aid in diagnosing encephalitis. It is treated with antibiotics and steroids prescribed by a veterinarian. Treatment can sometimes last for more than six months.

    Brain Tumors

    • Brain tumors are common in elderly cats. This generally manifests as a mass in the brain that can be cancerous. An MRI or CT scan will be done on the cat for diagnosis. There are many symptoms that a cat can experience resulting from a brain tumor. Losing balance, unstable mobility, swaying, standing with legs wide apart, head tilting, walking into objects or walls, and confusion are just a few. Treatments for this problem include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Many brain tumors can be treated but not cured.

    Ear Infections

    • Loss of balance and disorientation are symptoms of ear infections in cats. Other symptoms include hearing loss, black or yellow discharge, odor from the ear, swelling, redness, or a waxy build up. Ear infections can be caused by bacteria, yeast, too much hair in the ear, wax, diabetes, hypothyroidism and the environment. Diagnosis is done by physical examination and sometimes with an x-ray. Treatment can require antibiotics and corticosteroids. The veterinarian may also cut the cats fur around the ear.

    Hypoglycemia

    • Hypoglycemia occurs when the cat's body produces too much insulin. Elderly cats who are hypoglycemic will be disoriented, imbalanced, faint, go into a coma, have seizures and experience difficulty getting around. The cat owner should take their pet to to see a veterinarian right away. Treatment will include an insulin injection and very often lab work.