Pain management, supportive care, and creating a safe environment (e.g., preventing access to stairs) are cornerstones of ataxia treatment. The most common sign of ataxia, regardless of the cause, is an abnormal gait in which the cat is very unsteady on her feet. Tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), skull X-rays, blood and urine tests, spinal fluid analysis, and ear cultures and cytology (examination of any discharge or fluids found in the ear canal) are typically performed to rule out a more serious cause. Nystagmus causes the involuntary and rhythmic oscillation of the eyeballs; meaning, the eyes unintentionally move or swing back and forth. We do not fully understand why feline vestibular disease occurs in many cases. Treatment and care varies and is entirely dependent upon the underlying cause of the disorder and the severity of symptoms. Vestibular disease is a condition in which a cat suddenly develops incoordination, falling or circling to one side, involuntary darting of the eyes back and forth (called nystagmus), a head tilt, and often nausea or vomiting. Conditions such as middle- and inner-ear infections are common causes of the disease. Many cats will require assistance eating and drinking during the initial stages of the condition when their balance is most affected. Otherwise, your veterinarian may conduct analysis on the urine and bacterial cultures and serologic testing to check for infectious agents in the body. Secondary symptoms, such as dehydration due to excessive vomiting, should also be monitored and addressed. Treatment involves debulking the mass through traction which has a high rate of recurrence, or more advanced surgery into the bulla to remove the source of the polyp. Exposure to certain toxins or drugs can also cause symptoms that mimic feline vestibular disease. Jerk nystagmus is characterized by slow eye movements in one direction with a rapid correction phase in the opposite direction, while pendular nystagmus is characterized by small oscillations of the eyes with no movement being distinctively slower or faster than the other. A cat who won’t eat often means serious trouble. However, most veterinarians recommend a neurologic exam approximately two weeks after initial treatment to monitor for improvement or progression of the disease. I suggest that you go to the vet immediately so that they can culture the ear and rule out and ear infection. Other common signs associated with nystagmus include head tilting and circling. The vast majority of cases are diagnosed as idiopathic, meaning the exact cause isn’t known. In cases of middle- or inner- ear infection, appropriate antibiotics or anti-fungal medications will be used. If it is vestibular disease, your cat can be treated with strong, long term antibiotics. Many affected cats are also deaf. These clinical signs usually appear suddenly, often in less than an hour. Whenever the vestibular apparatus is diseased or damaged, balance and coordination are adversely affected, resulting in symptoms involving equilibrium (balance). This will depend on the severity of the condition. However, keeping your cat safe indoors without access to lead and other toxic materials, is recommended. The technical term for unintentional eye movement in cats is called nystagmus. Treatment of ataxia will be influenced by the root cause. Most cases are diagnosed based on clinical signs. Help the cat with eating and other functions if necessary. There is no evidence that idiopathic feline vestibular disease can be transmitted between cats or other animals, including humans. Having kept one cat alive for too long because I couldn’t let go, I now follow the rule that I’d rather let a cat go a week or two early than a day too late. Nystagmus as a symptom of vestibular syndrome in cats is typically caused by mild trauma to or a disease of the vestibular apparatus, located inside the cat’s ear. However, a common culprit is ear mites according to WebMD.Your vet will inspect your cat's ears and treat the ailment accordingly, typically with antibiotics, corticosteroids, or anti-parasitic or anti-fungal medications. There are two types of nystagmus: jerk nystagmus and pendular nystagmus. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Peripheral vestibular diseases that may lead to nystagmus include hypothyroidism, traumatic injuries (such as those acquired in a car accident), and neoplastic tumors. For cats experiencing anorexia and vomiting, fluid therapy (including the administration of fluids through IV) may be necessary to prevent dehydration. A cat’s eyes are pretty amazing.They allow a cat to see in near-darkness and provide her with a great ability to detect motion in order to hunt prey. Because the exact cause is often unknown, there is no specific medical or surgical treatment. Signs are usually their worst during the first 24-48 hours, then steadily improve. One such behavior: fluffing up his tail, arching his back and jumping sideways. Vestibular disease is a disease that can affect cats of all ages. While recovering, you may need to help the cat eat, drink, or go to the litter box. Nystagmus-causing central vestibular disorders include tumors, thiamine deficiency, viral infections (such as feline infectious peritonitis), and consequent inflammation, heart attacks, hemorrhages in the heart, and exposure to toxins (such as lead). You may need to pick them up and carry him to the food bowl, to the water dish, or to the litter box. These clinical signs usually appear suddenly, many times in less than an hour. Siamese and Burmese breeds have been associated with an inherited or congenital form of the disease. 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