Loss of Balance in Cats
Written By Darlene Stott
Published: 10/12/2016Updated: 08/05/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Loss of Balance in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What is Loss of Balance?
Loss of balance can take place when a disease or injury disrupts the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear. The vestibular apparatus is the area that controls the balance and coordination for your cat. There are several causes of vestibular disease, but the disease is usually considered idiopathic because the cause is not always known without extensive testing.  
A loss of balance can occur when a cat is suffering from vestibular disease. Your cat may experience issues with standing on all four legs, and you may even notice your cat leaning or falling over at times, which can be a frightening sight.
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Loss of Balance Average Cost
From 584 quotes ranging from $200 - $4,000
Average Cost
$850
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Symptoms of Loss of Balance in Cats
Once you notice your cat is having trouble standing up, it is important to watch for the other signs of vestibular disease. A cat who is suffering from loss of balance may also display the following symptoms:
  • Trouble standing
  • Falling down
  • Stumbling when walking
  • Head tilting to one side
  • Moving in circles
  • Rolling on floor
  • Weakness of limbs
  • Continual eye movements
  • Painful vocalizations
  • Difficulty hearing
  • Vomiting or lack of appetite
Causes of Loss of Balance in Cats
There is not always a known cause to vestibular disease, but the following problems can play a part in this condition:
  • Middle-ear or inner ear infections
  • Disease or injury of the spinal cord
  • Damage or disease of the central nervous system
  • Neurological disorders
  • Cancer
  • Tumors in ear canal, especially in aging cats
  • Exposure to specific drugs or toxins
Diagnosis of Loss of Balance in Cats
The signs of vestibular disease may be related to another condition, such as an inner ear infection or head trauma. A physical exam is usually performed to check the overall health of your cat. This includes a neurologic exam and an otoscopic (ear) exam. You should also expect to answer questions about the cat's medical history and current signs.
Your veterinarian may run a number of tests to check for an underlying cause of your cat's loss of balance or to rule out other conditions. Your veterinarian may order a blood test, urine test, and ear cultures to check for diseases that may cause a loss of balance. Your cat may have to undergo an MRI, spinal tap, and head x-rays to check for injuries or infections that may have caused the condition. The tests also allow your veterinarian to ensure the loss of balance has not caused a more serious condition, such as injury from falling down.
Treatment of Loss of Balance in Cats
Treatment options depend on whether or not the loss of balance is idiopathic. Your veterinarian will treat the underlying cause if it is known, and they will focus on relieving the symptoms if there is not a known cause.
Treating the Underlying Cause
The loss of balance may be caused by an ear infection, tumor or exposure to toxins. When this is the case, your veterinarian will treat the underlying cause of the condition. Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics for an infection or treat for a drug toxicity. The type of treatment depends on the underlying cause itself.
Treating Idiopathic Vestibular Disease
If the loss of balance or vestibular disease is considered to be idiopathic, your veterinarian will focus on treating the signs and bringing comfort to your cat.
  1. Dizziness can cause your cat to lose its appetite or vomit, so your veterinarian may prescribe medication to treat the vomiting, nausea and motion sickness. Your cat may require help with feedings, fluid administration, and changing position during recovery from this condition. Your cat may be restricted to cage rest in a well-padded area to avoid injury when trying to stand up or walk. The good news is the signs usually resolve, and they don't tend to recur. 
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Recovery of Loss of Balance in Cats
Your veterinarian can treat the underlying cause or signs of the loss of balance, but it is still important to schedule a follow-up appointment after the treatment. A follow-up appointment allows your veterinarian to make sure the underlying cause has been treated or eliminated. Your veterinarian will also make sure your cat has not become sick or injured due to the loss of balance.
It is important to follow the instructions given by your veterinarian, from assisting with feedings to administering medication. You may need to continue to restrict your cat to cage rest until the signs have completely disappeared. Your veterinarian will tell you when to discontinue the treatment.
The underlying cause may be treatable if it is caught early, and idiopathic vestibular disease usually disappears over a short period of time. 
Loss of balance in cats can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat has loss of balance or is at risk, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Trupanion. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
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Loss of Balance Average Cost
From 584 quotes ranging from $200 - $4,000
Average Cost
$850
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Loss of Balance Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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My cat is falling over when walks he can’t jump on the dryer his favorite place
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Seven Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
He Falls Over Tryingto Walk And He Can’T Jump On The Dryer His Favorite Place
Not walking without falling over
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 14, 2020
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Bangle savana
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dog-age-icon
1..5 years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Falling Over
I got this cat 3 days ago and then today he is falling down to the right and sleeping all day , this is not how he was the last 2 days.
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 21, 2020
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Calicocat
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dog-age-icon
8months
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Can Not Stand Or Walk
She ran into a wall head first
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 21, 2020
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kitten
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dog-age-icon
Four Months
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Wobbly Rear Gait
kitten walks wobbly like rear is heavy. keeps falling. she eats good and still plays.
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment that might be needed.
Oct. 24, 2020
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domestic short hair cat
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dog-age-icon
Thirteen Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Weakness In Limbs, No Balance
Cats symptoms started 2 days ago- drinks water and eats a little. No bowel movement for 2 days. Loss of strength in legs, wobbly.
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 25, 2020
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Calico
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Honey
dog-age-icon
2 Years
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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
Loss Of Balance
Our cat honey is about 2 years old and a calico cat. She had a litter of 4 kittens on July 5th. One kitten did not make it. Since she has had the kittens she walks around like she is drunk. She has no balance and stays on the floor at all times. The vet said she had an upper respiratory infection and treated it. That was in July. Now we are at the end of August with no progress. She eats great and uses the litter box. She is gaining weight and seems to have energy just no balance. She will literally be standing and start to wobble and fall over. Every week or so she has multiple intense seizures as well. Honey is not getting better or worse but I hate to have her live her life this way. Does anyone know what is happening? I can’t afford neurological tests and all that.
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tabby
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Icarus
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3 Years
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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Loss Of Appetite
Heavy Breathing
Trouble Walking
My cat Icarus was sleeping per usual when he suddenly began to make these sort of choking noises. It seemed as though he were trying to cough up a hair ball though what he really coughed up was vomit. He continued to breathe rapidly and slightly violently. I waited for him to calm down so I could see what was really wrong with him though he tried walking away. TRIED. He couldn't walk right as he was wobbling and would fall over in the process. He didn’t seem to want to eat or drink water, it seemed difficult for him too since he couldn’t hold himself up for very long. He decided to sit his food and water out though his rapid breathing persisted.
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Russian Blue
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Mine
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14 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Ear Crust
Vomiting
Loss Of Balance
Ataxia
Head Swaying
Head Swaying Back And Forth
My 14 Year Old Cat Started shaking his head back and forth and falling over while trying to walk this morning at 5am. He puked his food up. He was behaving like his left ear was troubling him. His ear didn’t smell bad at all. I used a little hydrogen peroxide diluted in water the day before and cleared out some exterior wax and crust. I researched during the day and I Bought Zymox Otic Solution. I fed him and he got a little wobbly again. I looked very closely at his ear and it seemed it wasn’t a punctured ear drum or an an inner ear infection. I would like to add that The ear was oozing clear the day before. I thought it was because he fights with my other indoor cat sometimes. I so after work I squirted Zymox Otic Solution in the one ear that is troubling him when I got home. I mushed it around and two sizable chunks of brown wax dislodged from inside his ear. I have to say that was pleasing for Me to see the product dislodge something sizable like that. I took pictures and I have video of him not being able to walk this morning. If anyone wants or can tell me how to post pics here I would be happy to. So the chunks came out about 4.5 hours ago. He has been shaking his head occasionally and liquid comes out. I am happy when he does that cause I’m hoping that is helping. He’s been quietly sitting where he normally sits. My question To the Wag Community is Is it possible that removing these two stuck chunks of brown wax a little smaller than a pea each from inside My Cats ear could actually stop My Cats Balance and Head Swaying problem that started up today. I would like to add that he behaved very similar drunk balance and Head swaying back and forth without him seeming to have an ear problem like today about 2 Years ago. I brought him to a vet and he said he was healthy and strong. He said it was probably vestibular disease. So Does anyone think that pulling those two big pieces of brown wax and treating the ears with Zymox Otic Solution stop My Cat from having these balance issues? Thank you all and God Bless You and Your Pets and May you all be healthy and happy.
Loss of Balance Average Cost
From 584 quotes ranging from $200 - $4,000
Average Cost
$850
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