vestibular syndrome in cats is one of the most common disorders suffered by felines. We can notice this when we observe that the individual keeps the head tilted, staggers when walking or has a significant lack of motor coordination. Although the symptoms are easy to recognize, it is not always easy to find the cause that causes it, which is why in many cases it is diagnosed as "feline idiopathic vestibular syndrome".
In this article on our site we will detail in depth what feline vestibular syndrome is, explaining the causes that can cause it and the treatment that you should offer the tutor to the feline that suffers from it.
What is vestibular syndrome in cats?
To better understand what happens in a case of vestibular syndrome in cats, as well as in a case of vestibular syndrome in dogs, it is necessary to talk about the vestibular system.
We understand the vestibular system as the set of hearing organs responsible for ensuring body position and maintaining the balance of an individual's body, by adjusting the position of the eyes, trunk and limbs. This system can be divided into two components:
- Peripheral, located in the inner ear.
- Central, located in the brainstem and cerebellum.
Although it is true that there are few differences between the clinical symptoms that appear in a picture of peripheral vestibular syndrome or in a picture of central vestibular syndrome, it is very important to correctly locate the lesion, because only in this way can we know if it is more or less serious.
Next we will talk about the set of clinical symptoms that usually appear suddenly and that are due, precisely, to the changes produced in the vestibular system. They cause, among other things, instability and lack of coordination.
We also want to point out that, although it is not a fatal syndrome, it may be due to an adjacent cause that requires urgent treatment, so it is very important Consult your veterinarianif we observe any of the symptoms that we will mention in the next section.
Causes of vestibular syndrome in cats
Infections, such as otitis media or internal, are the main cause of this syndrome, however, despite the fact that tumors are not very common, they should also be considered in older cats. However, in many cases it is not possible to find out what is causing the vestibular syndrome in cats and therefore it is diagnosed as " feline idiopathic vestibular syndrome".
Here are some other causes of vestibular syndrome in cats:
- Congenital abnormalities: Certain breeds are predisposed to developing this syndrome, such as Siamese cats, Persian cats and Burmese cats. These animals can show symptoms from birth to a few weeks of age. These animals must not be reproduced under any circumstances.
- Infectious causes and inflammatory causes: otitis of the middle and/or anterior ear are infections that originate in the external auditory canal and they can move inwards. They are usually caused by bacteria, fungi and ectoparasites, such as Otodectes Otodectes mites in cats, which cause itching, redness of the ear, sores, excessive earwax and other discomfort. Other diseases such as feline infectious peritonitis, toxplasmosis, cryptococcosis and parasitic encephalitis are other examples that can cause this disease.
- Nasopharyngeal polyps: they are small masses composed of vascularized fibrous tissue that grow progressively occupying the nasopharynx and can reach the middle ear. It is common in cats between 1 and 5 years old and can be detected with sneezing, breath sounds and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
- Head Trauma: Traumatic injuries to the inner or middle ear can affect the peripheral vestibular system. In these cases, the animals can also develop Horner's syndrome. If it is suspected that the animal has suffered some type of trauma or trauma, the possible swelling in the face, open wounds or hemorrhages in the auditory canal should be checked.
- Ototoxicity and allergic drug reactions: Symptoms of ototoxicity may be unilateral or bilateral, depending on the route of administration and the drug toxicity. Medications, such as certain antibiotics, administered systemically or topically directly into the animal's ear or ear, can cause injury to the constituents of your pet's ear. Chemotherapy drugs or diuretics, such as furosemide, can also be ototoxic.
- Metabolic or nutritional: Taurine deficiency and hypothyroidism in cats are two common examples that can cause lethargy, generalized weakness, loss of weight and poor condition of the hair, in addition to the possible vestibular symptoms. They can cause peripheral or central vestibular syndrome, either acute or chronic.
- Neoplasms: Many tumors can grow and compress surrounding structures. If they put pressure on one or more components of the vestibular system, they can also cause this syndrome. It is a common cause in older cats.
- Idiopathic Cause: After ruling out all possible causes, this will be determined as "Feline Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome", meaning no known cause. It may seem strange but it is quite common.
Symptoms of vestibular syndrome in cats
But how can we detect lesions in the vestibular system? Below we will review the most common symptoms of vestibular syndrome in cats:
- Head Tilt: The degree of tilt can vary. We can observe a small noticeable tilt, through a lower ear, to pronounced tilts of the head. It is also possible that the animal has difficulty standing.
- Ataxia: is the lack of motor coordination. In feline ataxia, the cat shows an uncoordinated and unstable movement, even walking in circles (circling) generally towards the affected side. It also tends to fall towards the side of the injury, although in very specific cases it can also fall towards the unaffected side.
- Nistragmus: is a continuous, rhythmic and involuntary movement of the eyes. It can be horizontal, vertical, rotational or the union of the three types. It is a very simple symptom to identify in an animal: it is enough to observe it stopped, in a normal position, then we will be able to observe continuous movements, as if they were trembling.
- Strabismus: can be positional or spontaneous (when the animal's head is raised). The eyes do not have a normal centered position.
- External, middle or internal otitis: otitis in cats can be a symptom of vestibular syndrome in cats, it should be treated urgently.
- Vomiting: Although rare, it can happen.
- Absence of facial sensitivity: This symptom, accompanied by atrophy of the masticatory muscles, is difficult to detect. The animal does not feel pain but it is possible to detect it when we look at the animal from the front and observe that the muscles are more developed on one side than the other.
- Horner's syndrome: Horner's syndrome in cats is the consequence of loss of innervation of the eyeball, an injury to the facial and eye nerves. It is characterized by miosis, anisocoria (pupils of different sizes), ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), exophthalmos (the eyeball sinks into the orbit) and protrusion of the third eyelid (the third eyelid is visible, when normally it is not). is) on the side of the vestibular lesion.
It is important to note that there is rarely a bilateral vestibular lesionWhen this lesion occurs, which is due to peripheral vestibular syndrome, the animals are reluctant to walk, they lose their balance to both sides, they walk with their limbs far apart to maintain balance and they make exaggerated and wide movements of the head to turn, usually not presenting head tilt or nystragmus.
Diagnosis of vestibular syndrome in cats
There is no specific test that allows us to diagnose vestibular syndrome in cats. Most veterinarians diagnose it by observing clinical symptoms and on the physical exam From these simple and essential steps, it is possible to make a provisional diagnosis.
During the physical exam, the veterinarian should perform hearing tests and neurological exams to check the extent and localize the lesion. Complementary tests may also be requested to help find the cause of the problem, such as cytology, ear cultures, blood tests, urine tests, as well as CT or RM.
Treatment of vestibular syndrome in cats
The treatment of feline vestibular syndrome and the prognosis will depend directly on the adjacent cause and the severity of the condition. It is important to note that even after treatment, cat may remain with its head slightly tilted.
However, as most of the time it is caused by idiopathic cause, there is no specific treatment or surgery. However, animals usually recover quickly because this syndrome resolves itself (self-resolving condition) and the symptoms disappear over time.
We must never forget to maintain regular ear hygiene, using suitable products and materials that do not cause damage to the ear canal.
