by Karina
(South Africa)
My cat is possibly around 7 years old. Yesterday she jumped onto my bed and walked on it for a while and as she turns around she falls off the bed almost looked like she was drunk because she couldn’t get up fast enough so I quickly got her.
Her heart was just a bit fast but I reckon that it’s from shock? As she sat on the ground she laid down and started breathing a bit faster and some water like 3 drops came from her mouth.
I quickly took her outside because I wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. Any idea whats wrong? Apparently that morning when she ate she threw up as well. I’m worried its something bad. After a while she seemed okay.
Karina
Hi Karina… the medical term for a loss of coordination is “ataxia”. If a cat is looking like she is drunk and if that has continued it would indicate ataxia. It is due to an inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movement. It is the symptom of “some central nervous system disorders” and possible injury.
Although in this instance there is drooing (it seems) and vomiting.
No question that a vet visit is required. I don’t want to scare you but my book says that a loss of control of rear legs and drooling (and pawing at mouth) are signs of rabies (paralytic form of brain inflammation caused by rabies). If it is that take precautions and things will move fast.
Other possibilities:
Central nervous system disorders affect 1% of cats (very rare then). Inflammation of the brain can be caused by an infection. Infections that can cause this are: FIP, Panleukopenia, Feline leukemia, rabies (mentioned above) and pseudorabies.
A stroke is possibility but it doesn’t look like that.
If the problem has continued it may be poisoning. Do you have a rodenticide down in your home (rodent poison)?
Probably a rare condition that causes an “ataxic gait” (wobbly walk) is chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
Hypertension can cause ataxia. Hypertension is associated with kidney failure.
Drugs can be toxic to cats and can cause neurological problems leading to ataxia.
Well, I have mentioned possible causes. The most typical diseases are likely to be the cause (obviously) but it depends on whether this is a continuing problem. You may be mistaken about the symptoms. It might be one-off event due to loss of balance and the vomiting might not be linked to this event. Cats a good at being sick!
The only way forward is to see a vet soon.
I wish you both the best of luck and thanks for visiting and asking.
