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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

My cat has vestibular something or other; she looks so, so drunk

26 replies

KatyMac · 04/10/2013 09:27

She is worse today than she was yesterday when we saw the Vet (who gave us tablets)

She is in a dog cage so she can't jump & fall

& I'm really worried about her

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 04/10/2013 10:49

Is she eating/drinking/using her tray OK, Katy?

Original poster
KatyMac · 04/10/2013 11:07

She isn't eating (the vet says she probably feels nauseous) but she has poo'd (not in her tray)

She is sleeping lots

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 04/10/2013 17:51

From what I can see, Katy, it's sometimes quite a complicated one - although most cats recover fairly quickly depending on the type of vestibular disease and the root cause. One of the vets who contribute here may comment but I think this is going to be down to your own vet.

I do hope she starts eating and drinking soon (and we can forgive her the tray accident - if you've ever been seasick which is sort of what she's got then you'll forgive her most anything). When are you next to see the vet?

It must be very frightening for you and her both.

Original poster
KatyMac · 04/10/2013 22:15

Seeing the vet tomorrow morning - poor poppet is so poorly & we have been out so no cuddles

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 04/10/2013 22:18

Best of luck then. Hopefully, it will clear up within a week or two. I understand that sometimes they can be left with a little permanent head tilt but this isn't disabling and they get used to it. The vet will fill you in.

Original poster
KatyMac · 04/10/2013 22:37

She says probably 4-6 weeks Sad

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 04/10/2013 22:47

Maybe so - has she said what type of vestibular it is?

Original poster
KatyMac · 04/10/2013 22:58

No - I can ask tomorrow

She the vet has never seen a cat try & jump with it before (which is why she is in a cage)

I even had to take the lid off the litter box (which she is not happy about) as she tried to jump on it

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 04/10/2013 23:04

She sounds more than a bit discombobulated. The only parallel I can draw is when a cat is recovering from a GA when they don't feel right. Some of my boys have tried to sort of 'power' their way out of it by walking, jumping (stupidly) and generally being rambunctious (stupidly.) A sort of defence thing I guess - 'keep moving and they won't get you'.

Original poster
KatyMac · 04/10/2013 23:06
Grin

Thanks

OP posts:
TheSilverySoothsayer · 05/10/2013 12:11

Mine had it. At its worst I hand fed her, and carried her up and down stairs when she wanted to change level. She made a full recovery.

Original poster
KatyMac · 05/10/2013 12:44

Apparently it might be either a brain tumour or an ear infection

They are doing Xrays, blood tests, feeding tube, cleaning out her ear - bill of up to £1000 & keeping her until Monday

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 05/10/2013 12:47

It might be but then again it might not. Much vestibular is of no cause which can be established although your vet does have to try and rule out the obvious ones.

Good luck to her - and note what Soothsayer said. (Her cat making a full recovery.)

Original poster
KatyMac · 05/10/2013 23:24

There appearred to be loads of gunk in her ears so they didn't do the Xrays/MRIs as an ear infection is probably the cause

She is being kept in until Monday as we are at the Theatre all day tomorrow

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 05/10/2013 23:27

Well finding the cause of the vestibular is good news. What is the vet's latest prognosis?

Original poster
KatyMac · 05/10/2013 23:31

Tube feeding, maybe a drip, anti-biotics & keep our fingers crossed

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 05/10/2013 23:32

Let us know how she gets on - and all the best to her.

Original poster
KatyMac · 05/10/2013 23:36

Thanks for looking after me

I was gibbering

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 07/10/2013 19:05

£900 later......

& she is being tube fed

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 07/10/2013 19:26

Ouch. How's the ear infection? (And the vestibular of course.)

Original poster
KatyMac · 07/10/2013 20:47

They aren't sure yet

So 2 weeks of antibiotics & tube feeding Sad

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 07/10/2013 20:51

I'm in unknown territory here but surely they'll be withdrawing the tube feeding quicker than that?

Original poster
KatyMac · 07/10/2013 20:58

Very confused - but back on WednesdaySmile

it'll be fine

Ithink I need tube feeding (but maybe with a different flavour food)

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 07/10/2013 21:07

Strewth - I'd be on the gin, myself.

Maybe one of the vets who contribute will comment but I would have thought they'd want her off the tube feeding as quickly as possible.

Original poster
KatyMac · 07/10/2013 21:14

I have infection mouth ulcers....so tube feeding sounds good Wink

Yep a vet would be good

OP posts: