Feline Vestibular Disorder

by Michael
(London, UK)

This page explains feline vestibular disorder which is well searched for on the internet. It is a disorder that affects the vestibular system of the cat. The vestibular system is based in the inner ear. It is not a disease that I heard much about until now.

And it is a condition that the cat usually cures without the assistance of medication.

The Vestibular System

Together with the cochlea it makes up the labyrinth of the inner ear. The cat’s vestibular system allows the cat to perceive a three dimensional world allowing the cat to keep a normal attitude (position) and has an important role to play in respect of the the cat’s balance. It contains three semicircular canals. They are more or less at right angles to each other. They are called:

1. horizontal
2. anterior
3. and posterior

semicircular canals. Movement of fluid within the horizontal semicircular canal corresponds to rotation of the head around a vertical axis (i.e. the neck). The anterior and posterior semicircular canals detect rotations of the head in the sagittal plane (as when nodding), and in the frontal plane, as when cartwheeling. The movement of fluid pushes on a structure called cupula, which contains hair cells that convert the mechanical movement of the fluid into electrical signals that the brain can comprehend.

Diseases of the inner affect balance.

Feline Vestibular Disorder

Inflammation of the labyrinth: This condition is called labyrinthitis. This is can be caused by an inner ear infection. Other causes are:

• stroke
• brain infection (e.g. toxoplasmosis)
• drug intoxication
• thiamin deficiency
• Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome – the most common cause³ of labyrinthitis in cats. It happens suddenly (Idiopathic means: arising spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause). The cause is unknown. 

Symptoms: Cats with this disorder have a problem with balance.  The cat may:

• Head tilt (symptom of Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome) – this is the characteristic sign of Feline Vestibular Disorder or Syndrome together the highlighted symptoms below.
• difficulty walking
• wobbly gait
• circle
• fall over
• roll over
• lean against a wall for support
• crouch low
• have jerky, vibrating, eye movements (nystagmus)

The experts say that cat caretakers should not worry about feline vestibular disorder as it usually lasts less than 2 -3 weeks and it clears up with or without medication⁴. Other sources say that the cat begins to recover in 2 -  3 days³. The cat is well again in 3 weeks³. Some cats have a permanent head tilt however.

I have seen a cat with head tilt. It looks disconcerting. Here is a video (sometimes people pull them so I hope it is still playing). This poor cat has the head tilt. It must be very upsetting:

Sources:

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestibular_system.

2. Veterinary Notes For Cat Owners by Trevor and Jean Turner.

3. Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook by Dr Carlson and Giffin.

4. vetinfo.com/catneuro.html.

From Feline Vestibular Disorder to Cat Health Problems