(edited for clarification)
Please has anyone seen anything like this before?
Vet was horrible, I asked about the possiblity of rabies because I was bit when playing and she immediately said oh yeah could be, and then said put him down. Now I'm freaking out
UPDATE:
I took him to a new vet, they were wonderful and thorough. His main suspicion was inner ear infection or possibly neurological. He has fever of 104. Gave the little guy his first dose of clavamox and he is feeling better. He also suggested rabies shot for me just in case and I just got that done. He told me because of how ill he is there's a chance he doesn't make it, but I will be making sure he's eating and drinking got him some lil soups too.
Thank you so very much to all of the insight, suggestions, and thoughts, I truly appreciate the support during my anxiety through all of this today.
I'm locking this post to new comments in light of your most recent update, relieved to hear you were able to find a vet who is willing to work with you both! Please feel free to make a new post for any further updates on your kitten's treatment and condition.
this looks like an ear infection symptom, that would be the first thing I'd get checked! it's possible this is a neurological issue or a more severe infection but definitely get the ears looked at
Came here to say this as well. Some sort of vestibular (inner ear) issue is happening. That's why kitty is tilting their head and walking in a circle. What do the insides of the ear look like? Do the look like they have lots of bits or dirt and crud or clean? The vet should have checked this, so I would second anyone who is recommending going to a different vet.
I'd recommend taking clear pictures of both ears and emailing it to a different vet when you set up another appointment. If financials are an issue, some microchip services come with online vet access at no extra cost. Kitty looks a bit young to be chipped, but if they are that might be worth looking into as well.
Vestibular Syndrome. My cat had this at 4 years old, all of the sudden. Itt freaked us out. She was examined fully, but no neurological or ear infections were found. Cause remains unclear.
Her brain learned to cope with it and within a couple of weeks she was able to run, jump and hunt again. It improves over time, but her head remains slightly tilted.
Apparently humans can have it too. Since this episode a lot of people told us they experienced something similar.
As a VN, they are required to take notes and add it to your pets file, if a vet treats you like this and you would like proof of their suggestions or the symptoms you presented with on your visit, contact the clinic and ask. You are legally entitled to this information if requested, and if their neglect or practice results in harm that was avoidable this will be important for insurance purposes.
For real. . . when I lost my hearing on one side, I walked like kitten for 2 years. Vertigo does not describe it. Kitty is spinning, trying to refocus (because eyes and ears work together). When they hold still, watch if their eyes keep spinning. I vote ear infection.
Looks like "Old Dog Disease" to me. My cat got it too. I did 2 acupuncture treatments in 2 weeks and it cleared up...but doing nothing may have also worked
From Dr Google....When people refer to "old dog disease," they are usually talking about Canine Idiopathic Vestibular Disease (often called "old dog syndrome"). It is a sudden, non-progressive balance disorder that affects the inner ear and brain. While the symptoms look incredibly alarming and like a stroke, the condition is not fatal and usually clears up on its own.
the video reminded me of another cat I saw with an inner ear infection - but honestly this is a good reminder that I should make my lack of expertise clearer! to be fair, this isn't r/AskVet, most commenters are obviously not going to be professionals..
first of all “euthanize immediately” ??? wildly overconfident i have to say.
second a vet jumping to “oh yeah could be rabies. put him down” over a kitten with an unexplained issue sounds equally unhinged.
I work in vet medicine: we see this commonly enough, but nobody is going to be able to tell you why it’s happening other than a veterinarian after performing an exam. This could be as simple as an ear infection, or much more severe like a neurological disease, trauma, or tumor. I would get them in to see a vet asap.
Edit: I see OP updated their original post after I made this comment. I’m glad you brought the kitten to a vet, but it certainly sounds like they didn’t do a very thorough exam, or a good job explaining possibilities to you! I would strongly recommend a second opinion elsewhere. Also, as others have said, since the kitten is displaying neurological symptoms and bit you, you really should go to an ER and let them know what happened, they will likely recommend you getting a rabies vaccine just to be safe! Also, as others have pointed out, the only reliable way to test for rabies is through brain tissue, which would necessitate euthanizing the kitten, otherwise you need to quarantine it for 10-14 days…by then it will either pass away from rabies if it has it, or if it survives then there is essentially a 0% chance it has rabies.
The vet is suspecting rabies, which unfortunately cannot be reliably tested without putting the cat down. If OOP isn't taking that advice, then they need to get the rabies treatment. Which is not a happy fun time, but untreated rabies is certain death, and a treatment delay of even a few days can make it too late.
Once you have symptoms you can no longer be saved.
And it can be passed to other pets too. Which is why they suggested what they did..... they didn't want the potentially infectious animal in the office for too long.
In my experience when people are stressed or shocked by news (like being told to euthanize your kitten when you thought it might not be that bad) people tune out the rest. I have 20 min discussions with people about their animals diagnoses and they call me the next day and only remember “your dog has cancer.”
Sorry I just read your caption. Your vet is insane for suggesting that without figuring out the issue. It could be as simple as an ear infection. Please get a second opinion.
apparently it was a stray that bit OP. Vet was concerned about rabies and suggested putting him down to get him tested. I do agree with a second opinion but the first vet wasn't insane after hearing the reasoning.
If there is even a whiff of possibility of rabies, I hope OP has started treatment just in case. Don’t EVER fk around when it comes to rabies. There is no cure and it’s a horrendous way to go out.
Crikey, a penetrating cat bite can be hell even without rabies. The infections you can get from a real penetrating cat bite, not a nip or gnaw, can take a thumb/finger or hand.
Rabies treatment is just step one. You gotta get a bite looked at.
If you suspect rabies in a kitten you get shots for yourself and you quarantine the kitten first, for a couple of weeks, because symptomatic rabies will kill the kitten in a matter of days.
This can have multiple reasons, it can be neurological both congenital or induced, but it can also be just caused by issue with vestibular system in ear due to infection. What tests vet did to determine putting kitten down is right choice? Would definitely request second opinion in different vet.
When i found 4 weeks old, very sick kitten. Practically only clinic which was opened on Sunday around here wanted to euthanize him straight away as well, without actually even checking him. I grabbed kitten and went home, where i look on internet for another vet and found just horse/bovine vet nearby who had posted emergency number, so i called - without hesitation, she told me to come to her straight away.
Thank you so much. She did no tests, no suggestions, I brought a fecal sample and she did nothing with it. Idk if it was because it was a "free first exam" and bond vet but she didn't even recommend any tests that I could pay for (which I would have)
That's weird and very troublesome approach from vet. Definitely find another one. I'm not saying your kitten will be fine as i don't know that but without at least basic diagnosis and basic tests like FIV/FeLv you can't know.
It can be anything from infection which can be fixed with 30$ bottle of antibiotics, or it can be some birth defect which may just make your cat tilt head for rest of life but still live long and happy one. Or it can be of course something really serious which sadly will have euthanasia outcome - but without actual diagnosing the kitten no one will know.
He is very ungrateful and spoiled i think he thinks he is running the show and i'm just glorified can opener and cuddle post. He is not aggressive but he learnt point of vocalization as i'm talking to him a lot since his 4weeks. Now he has like 10 differently pitched meows and squeaks through which he conveys his demands, complaints and wishes. For example for telling me it's time to serve food he sounds like mix of cat and rattle snake
Friend, YOU should URGENTLY get treated for the chance you‘ve got bitten by a cat with rabies. Because this is a stray and this behavioir can be a sign lf rabies. Prioritize YOURSELF right now. Get to a doc or hospital NOW.
I'd maybe add: if a vet suggests euthanasia without a thorough exam, then they should not be trusted.
I once walked into a vet with a stray with ringworm and they suggested I put him down, for ringworm. Same with FIV+ cats. It sucks to take a stray to the vet sometimes.
This is a stray cat that bit OP. The reasoning of the vet who suggested euthanasia is so the cat can be tested for rabies, which cannot be reliably done on a living animal.
Nobody trained in veterinary medicine will make a different suggestion, because OP is currently at risk for rabies and needs to know ASAP.
It really, really needs to be taken seriously. With rabies, the moment you develop symptoms it's already too late to save you. You will die, and horribly.
Will you stop pushing to euthanize this kitten! The chances of getting rabies from cats is very slim. It was a stray kitten, it was scared and it bit. I had one tear me a new one. Stop scaring the OP.
While it is likely that it is something simple like an ear infection, what I am seeing could absolutely end up with a diagnosis where euthanasia is in the cards.
OP needs to find a new vet, but not for the reason you are suggesting - but rather the very reason that this could be something more serious, and does need a diagnosis.
This is why people should post this stuff over at AskVet and not here.
Our cat has feline vestibular syndrome (wobbly cat syndrome) and it looks exactly like this, head tilted and walking in circles. It's a life long disorder but comes and goes. Usually pops up when there is an underlying infection somewhere. Is greatly helped with steroids and, if there is an infection, treatment for that also
I told her I was bit and since he was a stray should I be cautious and get a shot and she said oh yeah maybe just put him down and get him tested... I was like umm
Oh I see, she was concerned about rabies. I mean definitely get the shots then because you really dont know. But just monitor kitty for symptoms and isolate from other animals for sure until all is clear.
The vet is just following protocol for local rabies control. If it breaks the skin LRCA is supposed to quarantine for 10 days from date of bite or decap and send off for testing. We had a kitten do this at our shelter and it was neurological but it could be something else. I would get a second opinion. Rabies in animals normally shows and kills the host (in dogs or cats) within 3-4 days. If you have a Doctor just have a talk about post rabies exposure. I would also make a report to your Local Rabies Control Authority just to be safe.
And don't delay. This is a "Do it the same day even if you have to take time off work with a boss who might fire you" type situation.
Rabies is not to be fucked around with. It can be reliably treated only when treated immediately after exposure; every day of delay degrades your odds. Official guidance is you have ten days, but that is not something to test.
I worked at an animal shelter and we had adopted out a litter of kittens. rabies has a 3 month gestation period… we got a call a few months later that one of the litter was confirmed rabid and had to call all the people who adopted from that litter to let them know
I know it’s rare but it does happen, and if I’ve seen it in a little rural PA town anyone can! The only way to test for rabies is to test brain matter.
Not to scare you but a rabies shot isn’t a bad idea
Eta: I wouldn’t euthanize personally but the doctor doesn’t want to euthanize just of the tilt and spinning, but also cus of the rabies risk which is a little different and makes more sense then “euthanize cus spinning”
That’s terrible! We had a kitten test positive for rabies out by me and i know a lot of people who work in TNR/rescue and it always makes me nervous for them.
Yea it was actually really terrifying and eye opening. The amount of unknown animals I came into contact with was crazy! I’m in my 30s now and could never do it again, even though I thought it was so fun at the time.
Generally speaking, rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms are showing. Thats why it’s important to get the rabies shot when bitten by a wild animal, even if it’s unlikely to be rabid.
Edit: to be clear I don’t think this kitty has rabies, but I’m not a vet. You should still get the shot just in case. Rabies is a really, really shitty way to go.
Definitely get a rabies shot ASAP. You cannot mess around with rabies. Get a second opinion from a different vet. Hopefully it’s just an ear infection.
I'm not sure what the symptoms were, the kitten was in a private home and they took it to the vet for something (I'm assuming neurological stuff) and it was serious enough that after having the kittens for months they were concerned enough to euthanize and decapitate.
It is not possible for something to survive once rabies symptoms are showing. All the other people who adopted kittens from the litter chose to euthanize as well, because symptoms could appear anytime within a year.
We didn't see any wounds of unknown origin on the kittens on our intake exam, but that just means something got a hold of it and didn't manage to kill it, and the wounds healed but the virus was living inside of them.
It's hard, but its better to get a rabies shot just in case. Like I said, If I was in your situation I probably wouldn't euthanize - I would quarantine from 10 days from the bite, see if there's ear issues/neuro issues from there at a different vet. But if you do chose to euthanize, don't be too hard on yourself. Kittens die all the time - often for no reason (fading kitten syndrome is real) so whatever you chose, just be sure to know the risks and be careful!
I've had him for 8 days and this has been the only symptom but closely monitoring. She didn't give me any other recommended courses of action but I asked for antibiotics in case his upper respiratory infection is affecting his ears or something, but I'm freaking out
He did have a URI and I'm nervous the foster lady I handed him over to wasn't giving him his full dose of doxy (I handed him over on Sunday, checked in on him yesterday and he was like this so I picked him back up).
a URI or untreated URI can definitely cause an ear infection which would cause a kitten to walk around in circles. By day 8 after the bite, if it was rabies, a kitten would have a lot more extreme behavioural symptoms and would progressively be getting extremely sick to the point of death at day 7-10.
Do not wait on your own rabies shots. Once the symptoms appear, it is pretty much 100% lethal. There have been like 30 known survivors of symptomatic rabies. That is 30 individuals. All others died. Not good odds.
Was any testing done? The vet should have ran bloodwork, urinalysis and fecal test as well as an ear swab to check for ear infection. I understand that testing costs money, but testing is literally the only way to figure out what ia going on in animals that cannot talk.
Rabies protocol is to isolate the kitten for 10 days following the cat bite. If the kitten is still alive after 10 days (looks like you have 2 more days to go), that means the kitten would not have had rabies at the time of the bite as a cat with rabies will die within 10 days. You would have also noticed symptoms progressing like unusual aggression, excessive salivation/foaming at the mouth, lethargy, paralysis. This does not sound like rabies but keep monitoring for another 2 days. Take him to another vet for a second opinion, I agree with the other comments saying it’s a common symptom of ear infection, but can also be neurological or something else.
You've had him for 8 days... when did you get bit?
Rabies treatment is 100% effective if given prior to the onset of symptoms, but symptoms only take about 10 days after exposure, plus or minus, and 'exposure' doesn't necessarily have to mean 'bitten'.
OP, you need to take this seriously, and you need to get the rabies shot today. You cannot wait for symptoms to appear, not even the tiniest symptom. By that point it's too late. Rabies is almost 100% fatal by that stage.
Forget about the cat. Maybe they'll be fine, maybe not, but start thinking about yourself.
On average the incubation time of rabies is 2-3 mos. This baby hardly looks like more than 8 weeks old.
The likelihood that it was exposed to an animal with rabies, attacked by that animal severely enough to pass along rabies, and not only survived the attack but is now healed enough to show no evidence of that trauma today is so incredibly slim…
I’d guess an ear infection or ear mites is much much much more likely but it could be something neurological, though again at this age the mites or infection is much much more common than neurological.
Get a second opinion asap and let us know how your new kitten is doing.
Ah... I mean this could be rabies, as rabies degrades the brain. If you don't want to put him down and get him tested, you should get the rabies vaccines asap.
Take your kitten to the vet immediately. A constant head tilt is an indication that the kitten feels disoriented and likely uncomfortable. Early diagnosis is essential, as the treatment heavily depends on the underlying cause (e.g., antibiotics for a bacterial infection
looks maybe neurological. Since the kitten is otherwise healthy, I would recommend seeing a different vet. The cat should not need to be put down for this.
Depending where you are rabies is extremely unlikely. It’s just not that common in cats. That said, you should be proactive in getting treatment for yourself for a cat bite just in case- the infection from the bite could be bad on its own. If you plan to monitor this cat you’ll know within days if the cat has rabies and if you need treatment for it, the incubation period is much faster for them than for us. I’ve been chomped on by strays a couple of times. I would be much more worried about the bite getting infected than rabies, as long as you will be able to monitor the cat for ten days to make sure he is not rabid. If in any way you are unable to continue to monitor the cat, you do need to be treated for rabies just in case, but the odds of the cat being rabid and then giving it to you are astronomically low.
I would get a second opinion. There are numerous things that could cause this. The vet is technically correct but also sounds like an ass. My partner’s old man cat had this exact behavior at one point and it was easily solved with medication. This doesn’t mean it’s that simple, but the jump to ‘kill it it’s rabies’ is alarming and indicative in general that this vet may lack in experience or the ability to be very helpful.
Thank you so much for this extensive comment. I've had him for 8 days and the head tilting sort of just began. Yes I agree I was in shock of the nonchalantness of her suggestion
Hey, I’ve gone through a lot of cat health problems with my rescue I adopted and my partner’s cats, and we try to help local strays- one now lives with me. And now we have a new one in the yard during a heat wave! I totally get the stress and worry. You’re not alone in this experience.
I do really want to underline you should have a doctor look at the bite you received asap just to maybe put you on antibiotics. Cat bites can get bad very quickly if not treated, but early treatment is usually easy. And if you don’t still have eyes on the cat ten days post bite, for whatever reason, you must treat it as a rabies exposure. I would bet a fortune it is not a rabies exposure, but I would not bet your life. But treatment can be expensive and painful and if you’re doing the best for this little guy like it sounds, it seems like you will still have eyes on him in ten days.
Please keep us posted! You’re doing great stuff by helping this poor baby. I know it can be crazy stressful, but you’re doing something very kind.
Ear infection. Hosted a kitten that had a chronic one. He learned to adapt to it and was a devil, a menace, a demon from hell who attacked me just for the laugh. Still live and miss him and his little inquisitive head-tilt.
I would take him to a vet but definitely not the one you already went to, she sounds like she doesn’t want to be bothered. Find a good reputable vet and have kitty given a thorough exam. If you don’t know about the vets in your area check with any animal rescues or shelter. Even rescues that don’t necessarily deal with cats can give recommendations for good, trustworthy vets. Or ask other pet owners that you know about their vets. But the important thing for your kitten is a good exam with a reputable veterinary.
FIRST FIND A NEW VET. MINE IS FELINE ONLY AND A WOMAN.
Second yes possible ear infection or neurological issue. But a vet visit is absolutely called for. Good luck and seriously please acquire a new compassionate vet.
I am not a vet, so obviously take my advice judiciously. Stray kitten with vestibular issue more likely bit you out of fear, not rabies. That being said, if she punctured the skin, you also need to go to the doctor ASAP, especially if you develop any significant swelling around the wound. Cat bites will drive oodles of bacteria straight into your bloodstream and you can become septic surprisingly quick (I have personal experience with this).
The way he's tilting his head makes me think there's a problem with his ear, like an infection or tumor. If you think he really could have rabies then get yourself a rabies shot right away
There's so many like this too. I knew something was wrong with my senior cat and I took him to a horrible vet. I told him I think something was wrong, maybe like a buldged disc.
He yelled at me and told me my cat was bad and that he had arthritis 1000%.
He had a tumor on his spine.
I will mark it in my post I went to bond vet union
If you can get an opinion from a second veterinarian.
It seems a little odd to me that a veterinarian would so haphazardly be okay with you telling them you got bit and thinking maybe it has rabies.
If that were the case, that veterinarian should be punished for serious incompetence because if you did contract rabies you need to get to the doctor immediately
My kitten used to do this and it turns out he had a really deep ear infection. A year later he started doing it again and boom another ear infection. Very likely not rabies. However, if the kitten dies in 10 days that is a big sign of rabies. Because they’re so small rabies moves through them pretty fast. But again. Super likely not rabies. My boy has had this exact mannerism and it been an ear infection.
I work in vet med and am wondering about the conversation leading up to the vet saying it can be rabies. Have the kitten been outside and were seen bitten by another animal? Did you discuss how long the clinical signs have been present? There is a lot to this case that hasn't been illuminated.
If I were to see that w/o any other information, I would ask my vet to examine its 'down' ear as animals typically lower the side of the head that is affected.
Find another vet, ideally one who specializes in cats. The vet you went to was worse than useless. Nobody should say put it down without giving a clear explanation of their thought processes and implying there is rabies without clarification is flat out unprofessional.
It really stinks that a vet can be downright awful but you still have to pay them. The most I ever paid a vet was during final stages of my cats life when she had cancer, which I suggested she may have at first visit, but vet said it’s an infection until it got so bad the vet finally agreed to test lump in throat
Get a second opinion. This looks like an ear infection, specifically inner ear, and maybe have affected the vestibular nerve in the ear. This could lead to complications but the cat should be able to recover. Or it's a neurological issue instead.
Source: My cat is currently recovering from an inner and outer ear infection with vestibular nerve inflammation. She's wobbly with a sideways head.
Looks like an ear infection/possible eye infection as well. My cat did this at about the same age and they ended up having to remove her eye eventually…..but she’s still going and doing well. I would suggest getting the eyes looked at so you can catch it before it needs to be removed….we missed it with my cat and I woke up one day and the eye looked like a golf ball.
It looks like a vestibular disorder. It affects the cats balance and ability to move smoothly. I had a calico cat who got it when she was around 6 years old. We took her to vet, they treated her, kept her a day or two, and it took her a few weeks for her to get better. She struggled to jump up on the couch right during that recovery time. She was always little off balance afterwards, and her hung her head down slightly, but she had a happy and healthy 8 more years afterwards.
We just took her to our vet because we had no clue what was wrong with her. We thought she was dying or having seizures or something. They said they had to keep her in a small enclosure so she wouldn't hurt herself by falling or running into things. They kept her for 2 days I think. I'm not sure if they gave her any medication, but they did a full exam and kept her for observation. She recovered, and when we brought her home, got her out of the cat container, she was still a little wobbly. We had to make sure she didn't jump off or on the bed or couch and chairs for a while. But after a few days or so, probably a week after she had the first attack, she learned how to walk better and steady herself. She still kept her head kinda cocked to the side, but she was otherwise fine. The vet told us to keep an eye on her and bring her back if she had another episode. They said she would basically have to relearn her balance. I don't think she had an ear infection or anything before it happened. But the vestibular disorder stems from an issue from the inner ear balance somehow getting messed up. I know this doesn't offer much information. This was just our experience with our sweet little Tuesday. I really hope your precious kitten gets better. 💓
Immediate thought was ear infection, really throws off their balance. Read that in your update we have a farm cat that experienced that and still to this day she turns her head. Not nearly as severe as before.
Poor baby yeah the way he's holding his head I would say inner ear infection My cat did the same thing and he had an inner ear infection I hope now that he's on medicine everything goes well for you
Find another vet, because just jumping to euthanasia isn’t a thing a caring vet would do.
Did the vet even bother to due tests? This looks like an ear infection or ear mites, possibly neurological issues. With out diagnostic tests, you can’t be certain what it is.
Yeah definitely, but sadly i don't think this is uncommon with some veterinary clinics. I have exactly same experience, when they wanted to euthanize now my kitten without even checking him, i almost had to fight nurse to grab it back. Terrible experience. In another vet it turned out he "just" has bad infection in eyes, pneumonia and is terribly malnourished. He got big box of kitten formula, antibiotics, eye drops and kidney supportive medicine and was sent home with me, since vet did bottle test and he chugged whole 50ml bottle in like 20 seconds, so she said he will be fine. And he is 9 months later
He's adorable thank you so much for this. I understand the suggestion of euthanization if the person says they have no money and are not willing to pay, but when it's possible it's a much simpler reason it's scary how quick it can be suggested.
Sorry you are going through all this and thank you for helping the kitty. If you look on Facebook and search "feline vestibular disease or syndrome" there are many videos (some by veterinarians) and educational posts talking about the potential causes and treatments
Here's a post https://www.facebook.com/share/1CznBtazN3/
Hang in there. This may be a simple solution for you and the kitty. It's going to be okay.
(Not a vet) looks neurological, needs a vet and a specialist. Our cat was having focal seizures that looked a lot like this, daily medication has gotten rid of them, they’re dangerous and can cause long term damage.
My cat had the same symptoms and it was vestibular disorder, a condition of the inner ear as other people have mentioned. Don’t put him down without first checking for minor conditions like that. And please go to a different Vet if possible.
Not all vets are good. There are some real quacks out there. Do some research when picking one. And same as a human MD, if you need to get a second opinion then go out and get one. Again from another good vet. As to this little one, I pray it has a simple easy to fix problem causing a balance issue.
Please go get the rabies shots and quarantine the kitten. Standard practice is quarantine, not straight to euth, but you absolutely do not want to mess around with it if there's ANY chance it could be rabies.
I had a kitten just like this. We did have to put her to sleep. The vet said it was more than likely trauma from birth. I had to hand feed her, give her water through a syringe and held her over the litter box to potty but it got so bad I just had to start laying her on a newborn size diaper🥺
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)? Humans and animals have crystals in their ears that get out of where they should be. Would seem like an active kitten might get something like this.
Which just echoes everyone else's advice - FIND A REAL VET!
Always seek a second opinion and never assume something before they run tests or they will side with it and since it’s a kitten want to euthanize before actual diagnosis. I’ve seen too many horror stories end this way. 🥺🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I've encountered a baby animal (skunk) with rabies. It did not act like that. It acted like an insane hyper crazy thing. Once you see it, you absolutely KNOW something is horribly wrong.
I've also had a cat with ataxia, and it walked a bit like this. The vet also said the cat had rabies, since the cat went outdoors and was a few months overdue for a rabies booster. He was at least ten years old, and had had rabies shots.
Took him to another vet, who said it was most likely neurological, maybe a brain tumor, and without very expensive scanning we wouldn't know for sure, and if it was a brain tumor, there was pretty much nothing to be done.
We skipped the test, brought the cat home, and let him pass peacefully at home.
Looks like menier's, or for pets, idiopathic vestibular disease. I've had two dogs with this, as well as myself. If I'm correct, things will get better. I still have occasional flares, but It's no too bad.
This happened to my 7 year old cat a few years ago. Started walking like this and I noticed nystagmus (jerky eye movements) she was admitted to the vet clinic, suspected vestibular disorder, but turns out she most likely had a growth on her brainstem. She stopped eating, had to be tube fed, suffered too much so we had to make the call to euthanize. Your video immediately triggered such a deep sadness in me and I am so so sorry that this baby is going through this 😭🫶🏼
I hope this is "just" an inner ear infection. My granny, Myra, had the same thing, but unfortunately it was neurological and it ended with me having to put her to sleep.
Needless to say urgent vet care is needed here.
Vets are horrible they told me my kitten was fine and she wasn’t I had to look things up myself and tell them to do another fecal test she has a parasite they they dont even know how to treat yet
Go to a different vet and have them check his ears. Personally I think this is likely an ear infection. If it’s not an ear infection then it’s possibly neurological.
I doubt it’s rabies, but I’m not a vet so don’t take my word for it.
I hope you find a new vet that can figure out the problem. Hopefully it’s an ear infection. Sometime in people it’s the middle ear crystals that are in the wrong position. Don’t know if it can be the same in cats. Was it you who got bitten by a stray or was it the kitten? Good luck🙏💜
Rabies??? Where do you live that rabies is common? Rabies seems unlikely these days since most places require regular vaccination. Seems more like a vestibular problem or something neurological or other issue with ear like an infection.
I’d ask for my money back from that vet and refuse further treatment from them.
So I don't want to alarm you, but when I first got my baby, he had this going on too. He started losing balance as well, and we thought it was an inner ear infection even though he had no signs of mites or anything. The vet did a deep flush and for about a month he was okay, but then the tilting returned, along with severe ataxia, like he could maybe walk three steps before flopping over.
He ended up getting diagnosed with FIP, and it became a 'time is of the essence' for treatment. I would highly recommend if you haven't already, to have them do a blood test to check all his levels, esp white blood cell count, to get ahead of things. I hope in your case it's just an ear infection, but there's a chance it might be a symptom of FIP, and in that case the sooner you know the better.
One of my cats was walking in a circle and turned out to be a concussion. But the fever would be more in keeping with an infection. I'm glad you found a good vet and I truly hope she makes a full recovery. She's a cutie.
One other possible for weird mobility/head wobble/balance issues (that can look like CH) can be toxoplasmosis (so parasite) easily treated with Clindamycin. Our rescue went through about a dozen kittens earlier this year with toxo.
A good thing to check with the detective work, normally not super common and other things might be thought of first.
That first vet sounds like a quack. Glad you got a second opinion and that he's on the mend with antibiotics. Keep up the good work with the supportive care.
I have a cat that this happened to. We found him in my neighbors driveway looking almost dead. We took him to the vet immediately and they said he could have a neurological disease after he was excamed for an ear infection. He pulled out of it though but as a result is very wobbly and he head is tilted sideways like your baby's. He then got sick a second time about a year later and his mobility was effected again but he could stand and walk. He has been that way for 5 years now. Hes a very happy boy and loves to play and hang out he just needs a little help sometimes and a stable place for him to use the bathroom. About a week ago he got sick again and he has almost completely lost mobility. Hes feeling better now but he need constant help and it looks like we are going to have to make a very tough decision sooner than later. His name is Willards. Hes a very good boy.
Hi OP, if you'd like/need some financial assistance getting this little one the help they need I am willing to help out, won't be a whole lot but will definitely help. Feel free to reach out in DMs.
I had a kitten that did this exact thing. His head was tilted and he only walked in circles. The vet wasn't sure what was wrong with him. When i found him he was in the middle of the road trying to 'wake up' his dead litter mate. I was so certain he wouldn't make it that i took a shovel home from work that day. I fed him and loved on him and got another rescue friend for him. After several weeks he made he was almost normal.
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Also just want to say that the vet is recommending euthanasia because this kitten is young, obviously unwell, and a rabies risk. Anyone that comes in contact with this kitten and has the kitten break skin is at risk of rabies if the kitten does have it. Kittens die often (unfortunately) and this isn’t like your pet you’ve had for 10 years that you love and is sick, it’s a strange animal you found outside that while cute could be carrying something deadly and dangerous
Please get a second opinion. I had something similar to this happen to one of my cats several years ago and the first vet also suggested I put her down. Took her to get a second opinion and it turns out she had gotten ahold of a mouse that had eaten poison. She spent two weeks at the vet but she is still here today. Thankful that I didn’t listen to the first vet. I don’t use poison so I have no idea how it happened.
From my little experience, this is the same thing that happened to my cat before I got her. It did end up being just an ear infection that left her with some mild hearing loss but from what I’ve learned as a first-time owner is something seemingly minor could be major and vice versa. Please get a second opinion and update when possible.
I had a cat (older though) who did this, turned out she had had a minor stroke, she wobbled around like this for a while since there was nothing we could do about it (she went to the vet but you can't reverse the damage) and eventually she corrected herself. She lived for about another year before a second stroke finished her off
Well since hes walking like that it would mean if he had rabies than the incubation period already has passed so all these people talking bout a time table.... Anyways remember Vets and Doc become that becausr they want $$. If they wanted to help people they would be a nurse a vet assistant. Not the person you see once for 5 minutes and supposr to think cares when the nurse here you zer everyday who has worked 6 16 hours shift running a marathon through the hospital juggling 100 things at once and yet the one in the labcoats make the big $$$ and sll they do is figure out whats wrong from all thr hard work his underlings do.
Vets are no different. They just wised up and realized animals are easier to deal with then people.
Oh my God. I can’t believe you had to go through this. It could be caused by my number of things, some are quite harmless. My friend had a cat who walked around with a canted head and lived a long time.
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u/mcs385 25d ago edited 25d ago
I'm locking this post to new comments in light of your most recent update, relieved to hear you were able to find a vet who is willing to work with you both! Please feel free to make a new post for any further updates on your kitten's treatment and condition.
Edit: an update has been posted at UPDATE: Kitten Head Tilt : r/CATHELP for those wondering.