Why is my 10-year-old cat stumbling and scratching her neck?

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.

Monkey Cat needs to be examined by the veterinarian today. Balance problems are never normal and can indicate many things including metabolic disease, drug exposure, an infection in the brain, cancer, low blood sugar, neuropathy and other causes are possible. A physical exam and bloodwork is needed to begin figuring out the cause and the best treatment. Other diagnostics may also be indicated. I hope it's nothing too serious and that she gets back to normal quickly.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to allergies. She could be showing signs of imbalance from potentially some degree of neurologic effects which sometimes can happen when cats develop significant ear disease due to allergies for instance. Otherwise, this may be a completely separate issue. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. These symptoms suggest that Stidi hs problems with the middle ear (infection, inflammation, polyp, tumour) or it may be related to brain disfunction (blood clot within the brain, ruptured vessel in the brain, tumor). Please, take Stidi to your local vets as soon as possible. If the symptoms are due to middle ear problem, he will need a course of strong anti-inflammatory medications and possibly antibiotics to get better.

She may. have some arthritis pain that is causing this (and its more obvious when she's on an uneven surface such as the bed), or she maybe having some age related weakness, or possibly some issues with her back or spinal cord causing the stumbling. You can take her to your vet for an exam, pain medication may be helpful, or if your vet suspects more of a neurologic issue therapies such as acupuncture or laser may be recommended.

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!

Losing balance in an old cat is not a good sign, common causes include hyperthyroidism, kidney failure, diabetes and cancer. You should take her to the vet ASAP in order to get that checked, she will need to have a blood test done.