Stumbling, tripping, dizzy cat

[SpicedGingerTea]

Took George to vet 2 weeks ago after he had been itching his ear. Diagnosed as ear wax so given a week of ear drops and told to gently clean his ear. All ok until 2 days ago when I noticed him stumbling a couple of times. Yesterday evening this got dramatically worse, and he could barely walk in a straight line. This morning even worse, his eyes are flickering and he is swaying/falling all over the place. Got emergency vet appointment at 10.40.

Hope to god it's just an infection and they give him antibiotics. He's 15 and I've booked him in for dental surgery in August so I hope this gets cleared up and isn't something more sinister.

Anyone had something similar in their cat? It's happened so quickly, and is so distressing (and I'm sitting here willing away the minutes until I can take him to the vet).

Any shared stories greatly appreciated.

Nothing similar here sorry. Just wanted to say I hope it's an easily cleared up infection. Our ears affect our balance so I imagine cars could be similar.

Thanks Tizzy. I'm thinking the ear drops have created a moist/damp environment where infection has thrived (I have had this myself from ear drops for wax). Fingers crossed.

Suspected deep inner ear infection. Very thorough examination, given anti nausea shot and anti pain shot to get him through next 24 hours. Tomorrow booked in for a clean under sedation, and will be prescribed anti biotics after that.

Anti nausea shot already seems to have had an effect, much less swaying and the look of complete disorientation has lessened. Even eaten a bit.

Oh that's great (well not really great, but you know what I mean!)

Hope it clears up quick.

Oh bless. Get well soon Trickycat.

I hope everything goes ok for him tomorrow

Poor cat. I hope it's an ear infection and easily sorted.

I had two cats, brother and sister, and both had a neurological condition which meant they swayed and were a bit disoriented. The vets said that it was very rare but I guess it was probably hereditary for them both to have been affected. I won't go into detail now as I don't want to give you horror stories, but do come back and update if it's not as simple as an ear infection and I'll let you know the symptoms my cats had. Again, don't go worrying, two vets from different practices told new the condition was rare.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

All dropped off, and since I've been back I've hoovered the whole house, put a washing load on, watered the garden and now frantically wondering what else I can do to fill in until I can pick him up. Vet said he would be ready between 5 and 7 so it's going to be a long day. They also said they can't prescribe antibiotics until they get the swabs back from yesterday, so I suspect they'll be another trip in the next day or so when we get those back.

He's a rescue who spend 10 long months in a cattery before I rehomed him with his sister 6 years ago, and this is the first time he's been away from his home since. He's a big lumbering teddy bear of a cat, and him and his sister are the furry heart of this house.

Packed him with one of my son's T shirts as he sleeps on his bed and loves cuddling up to DS.

Awww. Thinking of you, waiting is awful. Fingers crossed this will sort out the dizziness.

Go for a long walk!!

Oh sorry meant to create a new paragraph but clicked post instead.

I meant go for a walk (If you can) to occupy the time. Waiting is so hard.

How is George today?

Monitoring him closely, my Mum has popped in today as I'm at work. Good news is he used the litter tray last night for a wee, and has eaten small amounts of chicken. He also did a fur ball last night which is usual for him, so I found it oddly reassuring that he managed one of those under the circumstances.

He's still v wobbly though and is sitting quietly in my son's bedroom.

Thank you for asking.

Poor Trickycat. How is he today? Hope he's snuggled up and starting eat again.

Sorry I hadn't refreshed my screen. So good to hear he is recovering. I hope he gradually picks up - always slower when they are older - and worries you less.