Cats with trouble walking: Understanding and treating ataxia

It can be startling to see your cat suddenly appear wobbly or unable to walk normally. When a cat has difficulty walking and controlling their movements — usually because something is interfering with the nervous system’s ability to coordinate balance and movement — this is called ataxia. To help a cat that has ataxia, it’s important to identify the underlying cause, since treatment depends on what the underlying problem is. Working with a veterinarian is the best way to get answers and start appropriate care. In most cases, helping to support your cat’s decreased mobility is also an important part of recovery. By learning more about ataxia, you’ll be better prepared to get your cat the help they need. Key points to understand include:

• What ataxia looks like in cats
• Causes of ataxia and how they’re diagnosed
• How ataxia in cats is treated

Treatment of ataxia involves identifying and addressing the underlying cause as well as providing supportive care to maintain your cat’s safety and comfort. There are a variety of health issues that can cause ataxia in cats, including diseases affecting the brain, inner ear, or spinal cord. Common causes of ataxia in cats include middle ear infections, vestibular disease, and “wobbly kitten syndrome.” Treatment for the underlying cause varies widely and may include medication, injury stabilization, or surgical intervention. Supportive care may include anti-nausea and anti-anxiety medications, assistance with eating and drinking, and a safe, low-hazard environment. Depending on the underlying cause and your cat’s response to therapy, some ataxic cats may recover within days, while others may be affected for the rest of their lives.

Sudden, unexpected ataxia in cats is considered an emergency. If you’re unsure if your cat is walking normally, an online vet can help by virtually examining them and giving advice on what to do next. In some cases, if the veterinarian feels it’s appropriate, they may be able to prescribe medication or recommend other treatments. The ability for a vet to legally prescribe during a virtual appointment to a pet owner they haven’t already seen in person depends on the regulations where you live.

Ataxia, or lack of coordination, is a neurological symptom in which cats have difficulty controlling the voluntary movements of their bodies. It’s usually caused by something interfering with the nervous system pathways that control balance and movement. Underlying causes vary widely and include injuries, infections, inflammation, growths, congenital or developmental conditions, toxins, medication effects, and metabolic or nutritional disorders.

The most common causes of sudden ataxia in a previously healthy cat are middle or inner ear disease, idiopathic vestibular syndrome, and exposure to certain types of flea and tick medication. Sometimes kittens are born with ataxia due to cerebellar hypoplasia, or “wobbly kitten syndrome.”

There are three different types of ataxia, based on which part of the nervous system is affected:

• Cerebellar ataxia: Affecting the cerebellum, the part of the brain that coordinates movement
• Vestibular ataxia: Affecting the balance system of the inner ear or brain stem
• Proprioceptive ataxia: Affecting the spinal cord and interfering with the body’s ability to tell where its limbs are

Ataxia can be categorized as acute or chronic. Acute ataxia comes on suddenly, usually due to an event, such as an injury, infection, or toxicosis. Chronic ataxia develops gradually and builds in severity over time, often due to a slow-growing tumor or other chronic disease. Ataxia can also be categorized as present at birth (congenital) or developing later in life (acquired). Wobbly kitten syndrome is an example of a common congenital cause of feline ataxia.

What does feline ataxia look like?

While ataxia can have different appearances depending on the underlying cause and its severity, it’s usually recognized as problems with balance and coordination. This can look like:

• Exaggerated foot movements
• Knuckling the toes
• Stumbling, almost as if drunk
• Involuntary spasms or tremors
• Wobbliness or unsteadiness
• Falling to one side

Ataxic cats may also have:

• Rapid, uncontrollable eye movements (nystagmus)
• Head tilt
• Vomiting

Ataxia indicates a disruption to the parts of the central nervous system that control balance, coordination, and movement, resulting in difficulty walking. To treat ataxia, vets first need to identify the underlying cause. There are a wide number of possibilities, even within general categories, which include:

• Infection
• Inflammatory diseases
• Tumors
• Congenital defects
• Injury
• Toxicosis
• Medication effects
• Metabolic or nutritional disorders

“Diagnosis starts with a medical history and a general physical exam,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “When ataxia is a concern, the veterinarian may also perform a focused neurological exam that evaluates gait, posture, coordination, and reflexes to help localize the problem within the nervous system.” Based on these initial observations, diagnostic tests may be recommended, such as:

• Blood work
• Urinalysis
• X-rays
• Advanced imaging, such as MRI or CT scans
• Cerebrospinal fluid analysis (spinal tap)
• Bacterial or fungal culture

Because many different health issues can cause ataxia in cats, an accurate diagnosis is important, as different issues require different treatments. In some cases, a veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary neurologist for additional evaluation, testing, and imaging studies.

Health issues that can cause ataxia in cats

Causes of ataxia in cats include:

• Cerebellar hypoplasia
• Middle or inner ear infections, growths, or tumors
• Idiopathic vestibular syndrome
• Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
• Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
• Spinal or brain tumors
• Certain toxins
• Head or spinal injuries

Prognosis varies widely depending on the underlying cause of the ataxia and how well it responds to treatment.

Because of the many different possible causes of ataxia in cats, specific treatment varies, but it may include:

• Injury stabilization and time to heal
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Antibiotics, antifungals, or antiparasitic medications
• Surgical intervention

Supportive therapies to ease symptoms can also be provided, such as:

• Anti-nausea medication
• Assistance with eating and drinking
• Anti-anxiety medication
• Environmental modifications to prevent falls
• Physical therapy

Your veterinarian may recommend that you keep your cat crated or in a small area while they recover, to reduce the risk of injury. Ataxic cats may need assistance with eating, drinking, using the litter box, and staying clean. Depending on the underlying cause, ataxia may resolve within a few days or become a lifelong symptom to be managed at home. Cats with chronic ataxia may need home care and more frequent veterinary check-ins to evaluate their clinical signs.

If your cat suddenly becomes wobbly or unsteady, it may not be clear whether the problem is an emergency. Since many causes of ataxia in cats are medical emergencies, the safest step is to seek emergency veterinary care right away.

If you’re uncertain, an online veterinarian can help by reviewing your cat’s history, observing their movements over video, and asking key questions about their symptoms. Based on what they see, the vet can guide you on whether your cat should be taken for immediate in-person care, scheduled for a clinic visit soon, or monitored at home with supportive care. In some situations, the veterinarian may feel it’s appropriate to prescribe medication or recommend other treatments. The ability to prescribe during a virtual appointment for new clients varies depending on the regulations where you live.

Virtual visits are often easier to arrange than in-person exams and can provide reassurance and direction when you’re unsure how urgent a situation is. While online care is not a replacement for hands-on diagnostic testing and emergency treatment, it can give you clear, professional advice to help you act quickly and confidently on behalf of your cat.

Are cats with ataxia in pain?

The presence of ataxia alone does not necessarily indicate pain, so veterinarians and cat owners have to rely on other indicating factors. It can be difficult to detect signs of pain in cats, but some things to look out for include changes in behavior (like hiding more frequently or aggression), loss of appetite, and avoiding certain activities (climbing and jumping).

Can you cure ataxia in cats?

Ataxia is a neurological clinical sign caused by an underlying condition that interferes with the central nervous system. Underlying causes vary widely; some can be cured while others cannot. Depending on the diagnosis and response to treatment, ataxic cats may recover within a few days or have lifelong symptoms.

How can a vet help my cat’s wobbly gait?

A wobbly gait, or ataxia, can be caused by many different health problems in cats, such as ear infections, toxin exposure, neurologic disease, and congenital conditions. Some causes can be treated and resolved, while others may lead to lifelong balance issues. Because the same symptom can come from very different conditions, the best way to help your cat is to have them evaluated by a veterinarian. A vet can determine the cause, recommend appropriate treatment, and help manage your cat’s comfort and safety. Attempting home care without guidance risks making the problem worse, since what helps one cause of ataxia may exacerbate another.

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.