My cat's head is tilted and eyes are flickering. What does it mean?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Tinsel! She needs to see your Vet when they open. It sounds like she is having a Vestibular event, this is when the balance center is off and they feel like the world is spinning. They can see but the abnormal eye twitching is called nystagmus. The most common cause in a young kitten is a deep ear infection or a nasopharyngeal polyp. She is growling because she is scared and stressed. Be careful and do not get bit. Use a towel or large blanket to get her in the carrier. Gently place it over her body and scoop her up and put her in the carrier. I wish you the best!

If you are worried about her balance and the head tilt I would recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian. They will be able to take a full medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. They will be able to determine if your kitten has a neurological condition which could account for what you are seeing or if there is a possible ear infection or if what you are seeing is completely normal. In some instances they suggest further diagnostic tests such as X-rays or blood tests to investigate underlying causes. They will also be able to dispense any medications needed if there is an ear infection or any kind or if there is another treatable condition. Best of luck!

Head tilt could be caused by deep inner ear infection (or polyp), stroke, infection such as toxoplasmosis, stroke, or even tumor although that would be rare at her age. If the toxo test comes back normal then I would consider requesting a referral to a neurologist where an MRI of the brain can be done. If that is not possible then I would trial treat with antibiotics and steroids. I am so sorry that she is going through this. I am sure you are very worried. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

This is called nystagmus. Some Asian breeds of cats have a congenital nystagmus, which is not concerning. They can still see very well and act and feel normal and healthy. However, nystagmus can also be a sign of a brain lesion. Should your kitty act funny, or not feel good, have problems walking, eating, drinking or appear ill, take her to your vet for an exam and mention the nystagmus. But if she acts normal, then there is likely no problem.

I am sorry to hear this! I know how worrisome it is to have vague signs with no other hints! If not done already, I would recommend having bloodwork and an x-ray done. Some things I would want to rule out- heart/lung disease, signs of infection, and parasites. If this all appears normal I would also consider a sedated exam to see if there are any abnormalities in his ears or mouth- like a polyp. If the behavior worsens and you do not find any answers on the other tests I would also consider advanced imaging like a CT. I hope it is nothing serious but it is good to know your options!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Sissy! I would have Sissy seen today by a Vet. It sounds like she may be having a Vestibular event. The Vestibular system controls balance. Symptoms can show up suddenly and the dog or cat walks drunk, sometimes has a head tilt and their eyes move abnormally (nystagmus). the most common reason is an ear infection or polyp. Other causes are toxin ingestion, brain tumor, trauma, other cancer, Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Sissy should be examined for an ear infection, if present be prescribed ear drop and an oral antibiotic. It can take a few weeks for them to return to normal. In dogs if they have a head tilt it can be permanent. I hope this helps and good luck!

Poor Future! This sounds like it could be serious. This could be due to a toxin that he has ingested or come into contact with or some type of bacterial or viral infection. With him being so young, I would take him to your vet or local emergency clinic as soon as possible to have him examined. The vet will be able to do an exam, ensure he doesn't have a fever, and see if this could be an infection versus a toxin. Your vet will also be able to run blood work if needed. If it is an infection, your vet will likely want to start antibiotics or other medication . If a toxin is suspected then they may recommend some fluids to help flush the toxin out. I hope this helps!