Cat Is Lethargic & Walking in Circles

Lethargy and walking in circles are potential symptoms of a wide range of problems, some serious and some relatively minor. If you have a cat that displays these symptoms, then you should have the cat seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible so it can start receiving appropriate treatment. Walking in circles tends to be a symptom of quite specific problems. Lethargy, which is a nonspecific symptom of illness in general, often accompanies walking in circles.

  1. Neurological Problems

    • Lethargy and walking in circles could be symptoms of a neurological problem caused by injury or disease. If a cat has been hit by a car or received a head injury, then these symptoms could be a sign that there is some brain damage, even if your cat appears otherwise healthy. A substantial injury or an infection such as the viral disease feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), will cause inflammation of the brain, which may lead to lethargy and walking in circles. While many infections can be treated with antibiotics, FIP is uncurable and fatal. A tumor in the part of the brain that controls walking could cause these symptoms, too, but is often very hard to treat.

    Inner Ear Infection

    • Infection in the inner ear can cause lethargy and walking in circles. The inner ear controls balance. If a cat's ear becomes infected, the cat might begin to tilt its head and become disoriented, in addition to walking in circles and seeming generally unwell. Left untreated, inner ear infections could cause irreversible damage to the inner ear, including deafness and permanent balance difficulties.

    Medication

    • Some antibiotics, such as gentamicin and metronidazole (both of which are prescribed to cats for bacterial infections, as well as to humans), are known to sometimes cause nerve damage as a side effect. If the nerves in the inner ear are nerve damaged, this could cause a cat to walk in circles. Over-the-counter ear washes designed to combat ear infections that contain antiseptics such as iodine or chlorhexidine can also cause problems. If a cat's eardrum is already damaged in some way when these products are administered, they can make the problem worse, including causing the cat to walk in circles.

    Diabetes

    • If a cat has diabetes, then it is at risk of developing hypoglycemia if the diabetes is not properly controlled. Both lethargy and walking in circles can be symptoms of hypoglycemia. A hypoglycemic cat may also drool, yowl, appear disoriented and try to hide. Owners of diabetic cats should always treat these symptoms as emergencies and take steps to treat the condition by giving the cat food. If the cat does not respond, take it to a veterinarian immediately. If your cat does not have a diabetes diagnosis but experiences these symptoms, a veterinarian will determine whether the cat has developed diabetes.