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I have several cats that are having trouble with their balance and don't seem to have any control over their movements. a couple of them also have absesses between their shoulder blades. this condition has come on quite suddenly. what could possibly be wrong?

Submitted: 969 days and 22 hours ago.

Category: Cat

Value: $9

Status: CLOSED

Posted by NancyH 969 days and 22 hours ago.

Info Request

Do the abscesses have small mucus filled holes in the center?

969 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

yes, when we broke them open there was a lot of puss coming out - we cleaned them good - my main concern is the balance problem

Accepted Answer

What is possible is that this is due to a fly larve called a cuterebra and those can sometimes get 'lost' and end up in the brain.
http://www.petplace.com/cats/cuterebra-infestation-in-cats/page1.aspx
It is also possible you are dealing with an infection that is impacting the inner ear as well as the skin as the inner ear controls balance and this would be vestibular syndrome which you can read about here
http://www.listnow.com/helpingpaws/articles/article_310.html
and here
http://www.cathealth.com/vestibular.htm
Another possibility is that they got into a toxin. If you applied an over the counter flea product that could do it for example. Or if they got into any antifreeze they could be acting 'drunk' from that and then go into kidney failure.
It might be due to ear mites impacting the ears and balance too due to infection.
I'd suggest taking the worst one to the vet for exam and diagnosis and then work with the vet on extending treatment to the rest of them.
Hope this helps you!

Accepts:
Expert:	NancyH
Pos. Feedback:	99.4 %
Answered:	3/29/2007

Cat Health, Behavior, Care Expert

30+ years cat owner, rescue, breeding, study of behavior & health care

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