Bilateral Vestibular Disorder

Feline vestibular disorder impairs a cat’s ability to stand, balance and walk. The vestibular system includes the inner ear and portions of the brain, and when the disorder strikes it can cause stroke-like symptoms on one side of a cat’s body. When both sides of the body are affected the condition is called bilateral peripheral vestibular disorder. And while the disorder presents a myriad symptoms, cats typically recover quickly with few lingering problems.

  1. Signifiance

    • Fluid within the cat's ear canals helps maintain its balance, according to Cat Health. The ear canals also house sensory cells that send messages to the brain. When either the fluid or the cells become infected or damaged and the condition affects only one side of the body, the cat may be unable to hold itself up straight or its head may tilt to one side. It may also walk into walls and roll its eyes.

    Bilateral Symptoms

    • With the bilateral form of peripheral vestibular disorder, the cat suffers from a loss of balance but does not fall to one specific side, according to the "Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery Journal." The head may bob from side to side rather than lean to one side, and the cat may not display involuntary eye movements such as eye rolling, according to Vet Connect. The cat may appear weak and disoriented, but muscle strength and hearing remain intact. Cats with the bilateral form typically crouch and avoid attempts to stand or walk.

    Causes

    • The most common cause of feline bilateral vestibular disorder is infection, although in many cases the cause is undetermined, according to the journal. In some cases chronic inflammation of the inner ear, nerve damage or an overdose of some medications can also trigger the condition, according to Vet Info. In addition to assessing physical symptoms, a veterinarian can use CT or MRI scans to rule out brain lesions as a possible cause. The vet may also order blood tests and a urinalysis, according to Pet Place.

    Treatment

    • In milder cases a cat can be treated as an outpatient. If your vet allows you to take your cat home, keep it away from stairs and monitor its activity. Be sure the cat is drinking enough to avoid dehydration. In more serious cases hospitalization will be required. As an inpatient, your cat may receive IV fluids as well as anti-nausea or sedation medications if needed. Antibiotics may be administered if an infection is found.

    Prognosis

    • Despite the disorder's debilitating effects, most cats recover quickly, according to Cat Health. Typically a cat will be up and moving normally within a few days. It may take several weeks for the dizziness to resolve fully. Unusual head movements may be the last symptom to disappear and may return during periods of stress, according to Vet Connect.