my cat's head is twisted to the the side, with her head almost upside down. What could this be?
Welcome to JustAnswer! I am a licensed veterinarian and would be glad to help!1) When did this start?2) Can she walk, or does she just fall over?3) Are the eyes moving side to side or up and down abnormally?4) Is she an indoor only cat?5) Is there any past medical history / illness?-
I noticed one episode a month ago or so, but was resolved the next day. But this time has been a couple days and worse today. Having trouble walking but still making it..trouble eating though,since head is turned. She hasn't been able to see for several months, so can't really check her eye movement. She is an indoor cat. No illnesses recently.
With this history - nit certainly seems as if you are describing a vestibular or central nervous system event, with a degree of torticollis.Specifically regarding older cats, most often this is not "old age" alone - rather there is a true, underlying disease which is causing this.Hyperthyroidism?Hypertension?Kidney disease?Even brain disease?Tests to consider for cases such as this:- Bloodwork - to check organ values such as the kidney and liver for underlying metabolic disease. Many times older cats such as this can have underlying diseases which can make them do this:- Kidney disease- Hyperthyroid- Diabetes- Blood pressure - cats with high blood pressure (hypertension) can have neurological signs- Infectious disease titers such as Toxoplasma- Ultimately, if the signs persist, even tests such as a MRI and CSF tap should be considered to look for infection, inflammation, or even cancer around the brain (brain tumor).I hope this information helps and guides you!If you have any follow-up questions - please do not hesitate to ask!Otherwise - please remember to click ACCEPT. If we have exited the chat session, you may click a “Happy Face” followed by “Submit”.Find me any time if needed: http://www.justanswer.com/veterinary/expert-criticalcarevetYou can always request me through my profile, bookmark my page for future help, or beginning your question with “For CriticalCareVet”____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Please click the "GREEN ACCEPT" button if the information I have provided has been of help so I receive credit for helping you. Bonuses are always welcome and appreciated.This is necessary so that I can get credit for assisting you and compensated for my time.Once you click accept, your question will not close, and you will still have the opportunity to follow-up if needed.Also remember, sometimes the medical information and recommendation may not be what you want to hear, but it is being made in the best interest of your pet - please be courteous in your response, even if this is not exactly what you wanted to hear - we are only making the best and safest possible recommendations for you and your loved ones.Please keep in mind that if you do not list all the important information above (medical history, current medications, previous illness, etc) it is harder for me to give you the most complete information.With this communication - we are here to guide you in making the best decision for your pet. This is for informational purposes only. We are not allowed to diagnose and prescribe medications - rather provide a course of action to speak to your veterinarian about - and any medical therapy and treatment should only be performed after an in-person examination with your veterinarian as a professional-client relationship has not been established on the site. While information may be discussed, this is not intended as an encouragement for you to self treat your pet, rather information online, and any treatment provided should only be performed after consulting your veterinarian.
But will any of these tests and the info they give change her outcome?
Yes - absolutely - if there is an infection, that can be treated.If there is hypertension, that can be treated!Of course - a brain tumor would be worse - but there are causes above we can treat!If you have any follow-up questions - please do not hesitate to ask! Otherwise - please remember to click ACCEPT. If we have exited the chat session, you may click a “Happy Face” followed by “Submit”.Find me any time if needed: http://www.justanswer.com/veterinary/expert-criticalcarevet You can always request me through my profile, bookmark my page for future help, or beginning your question with “For CriticalCareVet”____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Please click the "GREEN ACCEPT" button if the information I have provided has been of help so I receive credit for helping you. Bonuses are always welcome and appreciated.This is necessary so that I can get credit for assisting you and compensated for my time.Once you click accept, your question will not close, and you will still have the opportunity to follow-up if needed.Also remember, sometimes the medical information and recommendation may not be what you want to hear, but it is being made in the best interest of your pet - please be courteous in your response, even if this is not exactly what you wanted to hear - we are only making the best and safest possible recommendations for you and your loved ones.Please keep in mind that if you do not list all the important information above (medical history, current medications, previous illness, etc) it is harder for me to give you the most complete information.With this communication - we are here to guide you in making the best decision for your pet. This is for informational purposes only. We are not allowed to diagnose and prescribe medications - rather provide a course of action to speak to your veterinarian about - and any medical therapy and treatment should only be performed after an in-person examination with your veterinarian as a professional-client relationship has not been established on the site. While information may be discussed, this is not intended as an encouragement for you to self treat your pet, rather information online, and any treatment provided should only be performed after consulting your veterinarian.