Why is my cat tilting her head? Is her spay incision normal?

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.

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!

I'm sorry Frankie is acting oddly. Since its been a couple of months since the surgery, I think its highly unlikely that its related to the surgery itself, though if the cancer that was removed had metastasized (spread to another area of the body) before it was removed, it could result in these symptoms if it went to the brain or inner ear. Since she is eating, she is not vomiting, and she is able to walk and jump on furniture normally, as long as she seems to be sleeping comfortably when resting and is responsive when she's awake, I don't think you need to seek emergency care, at least not just yet. If she seem to be getting worse, if she starts to seem painful, if her ability to walk is declining, if she stops eating or starts vomiting, seek ER care. Otherwise its reasonable to wait until your vet is open on Tuesday. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

The incisions do not appear to be infected in the images supplied. Confirm all three cats have e-collars (cones) in place to prevent licking. The cones should stay on for at least 10-14 days post op. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite, odor, excessive bruising, active bleeding or discharge.

A head tilt in a kitten often indicates a severe ear infection that affects the middle and inner ear. This could definitely cause her to go deaf in that one ear, but she wouldn't be expected to be completely deaf. However, it is suspicious that she didn't react to the vacuum. It is possible that she has a hereditary defect (more common in white cats) that is causing her to be deaf. In either case, it's best to have her evaluated by a veterinarian. They can help narrow-down the cause of this and ensure she gets the necessary treatment. I hope that helps and all is well with Kee Kee D.

These could be signs of pain, the anesthesia wearing off, or combination of both. If she's not on pain medication I would call your veterinarian to discuss this possibility. If she is on pain medication it may just be she needs more time for the anesthesia to wear off. Continue to leave her a collar on to prevent her from looking at her incision. You may try applying a warm compress to her incision to see if that helps. If she's on pain medication and has not return to her normal self by this afternoon she should be examined by the veterinarian that did her surgery to make sure everything is OK.

Hi, the incision seems absolutely fine. However what you describe in terms of demeanour and behaviour is not expected after a few days. It could be that Kit cat has a temperature or that she is still in pain. I would recommend to have her checked over to exclude any potential post op concerns such as internal wound breakdown or an internal infection. If all is well, she could have some symptomatical treatment for pain and or/temperature.