Why is my cat stumbling while walking?

An inner ear infection can cause a cat to experience vertigo. But a cat that stumbles, walks with stiff legs or shakes its head repeatedly may have a brain disease known as cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects muscle control and movement. Cats contract this disease in utero—or if they are malnourished or poisoned.

Why is my cat walking weird with her back legs?

Cat Limping May Indicate a Veterinary Emergency If you notice your cat limping, it could be an injury or other medical condition impacting a muscle, joint, bone, paw, or other tissue. Cat limping can result from trauma like jumping, falling from a high surface, or being hit by a car.

Why is my cat wobbly when he walks?

The most common sign of ataxia, regardless of the cause, is an abnormal gait in which the cat is very unsteady on her feet. With a spinal cord lesion, the toes may drag on the ground as the cat walks, traumatizing the tissues of the toes.

What causes sudden ataxia in cats?

Causes of sensory ataxia in cats: Degeneration (breaking down) of the spinal cords and nerves over time. Loss of blood flow to an area of the spinal cord because of a stroke-like event, or a bleeding blood vessel causing a buildup of blood to compress the spinal cord.

Why is my cat walking like a drunk?

Call your veterinarian immediately if your cat seems dizzy or “drunk”—vestibular disease can happen quickly and can be scary, for both you and your pet!

Why is my cat staggering?

It’s likely your cat is experiencing an issue with her vestibular system. The feline vestibular system is essentially the balance center of her brain. When something is amiss in this complex web of nerves and synapses, she’s likely to become dizzy, disoriented, and have trouble with muscle coordination.

Why is my cat walking dizzy?

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. These clinical signs usually appear suddenly, often in less than an hour.

Why does my cat walk like drunk?