My cat is shaking, can't walk, and breathes loudly. What's wrong?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The loss of balance can be caused by ear infections, tumors, or toxin ingestion. In very rare occasions, antibiotics can cause neurologic damage and this may be an indication of this. These episodes may also be seizures. I recommend having your cat examined by a veterinarian who can perform a neurological exam to see what is causing these episodes. You should try to take photos or a video when this happens to help your vet make a diagnosis. I hope this helps and that all is well!

Poor kitty! From your description, it does sound like she may have a respiratory infection, but it's concerning to me that she walks in circles and can't walk straight for long. This can be a sign of vestibular disease, and it can be caused by an ear infection, ear polyps, infection of the brain, or toxicity among other causes. Due to this, I feel it's best that your kitty sees the vet right away to diagnose what is causing these neurological symptoms so she can be treated. While there, the vet can diagnose if she does have a respiratory infection, and prescribe medications for her. There are a few things that you can do at home that will work in conjunction with medications from the vet for a respiratory infection. First, you can try starting her on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections.

HI there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concerns. With your description, I would be concerned about a respiratory problem, hypothermia or systemic infection. The outdoor temperature is cold right now so if he was exposed to very cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time, he may be hypothermic. I would recommend getting him examined by a veterinarian to ensure nothing serious is going on that needs immediate medication attention. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns that I may help you with.

I'm sorry to hear this. This is concerning for a condition known as fading kitten syndrome. The condition could be caused by a range of different things, but is often due to some hereditary defect. If you noticed blindness and deafness, then this could definitely indicate that she was born abnormal. The shaking and heavy breathing is very concerning and actually warrants emergency treatment, because she could be in shock. I recommend taking her to the vet as soon as you can to get a clear diagnosis of her condition and the necessary treatment.

This is an emergency and you need to take your kitty to a veterinarian or PetER right away. Respiratory distress is very serious and your cat will need a thorough exam, possibly oxygen, and supportive care. He is purring because he is ill and is trying to appease everyone around him. The signs of illness are very unspecific so please take your cat to the ER now.

Poor Mochko. With symptoms of decreased appetite and "hard breathe" which I assume means she is having a hard time breathing, it is possible Mochka has pneumonia or an upper respiratory infection. I would highly recommend getting her seen by your vet again or another vet for a second opinion. They need to listen to her chest (auscultation) to check the lungs for certain sounds. If certain sounds in the chest are detected and Mochko also has a fever (greater than 102.5 degrees F rectal temp), then pneumonia is suspected. Chest x-rays would then be needed to confirm. If the chest is free of any abnormal sounds on expiration, then an upper respiratory infection is suspected, which is a better prognosis for kitty. At that time a short course of antibiotics and anti-viral meds (i.e. Lysine) can be prescribed to treat her condition. At any rate Mochko needs to be re-evaluated and the underlying condition properly identified so that we know exactly what she needs to get better.

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!