TL;DR: If your cat is stumbling on the stairs, they may have ataxia and should see a veterinarian within 24–48 hours. Providing a video of the behavior is a crucial diagnostic tool to help your vet determine if the cause is neurological or orthopedic.
What is feline ataxia and why is my cat stumbling?
When a cat begins stumbling or showing a lack of coordination, it is medically known as ataxia. This condition affects their sense of balance and spatial awareness, making complex movements like navigating stairs difficult. It can stem from issues in the inner ear, the brain, or the spinal cord, or it may simply be a result of severe weakness or joint pain.
Is my cat's lack of coordination an emergency?
- Urgency Level: Medium.
- Standard Timeline: If your cat is otherwise eating and breathing normally, schedule a veterinary exam within 24 to 48 hours.
- Emergency Red Flags: Seek immediate care if the stumbling is accompanied by a head tilt, rolling, or a total inability to stand.
How can photos and videos help a vet diagnose my cat’s stumbling?
- Observe natural gait: A video allows the vet to see abnormalities in a natural setting, which is vital since cats often hide symptoms in a stressful clinic.
- Differentiate causes: Footage helps the veterinarian distinguish between neurological issues, such as vestibular disease, and orthopedic issues, like feline arthritis.
- Diagnostic value: Capturing a video of your cat attempting to use the stairs is one of the most valuable tools you can provide for accurate triage.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Ataxia and mobility issues in cats can stem from various neurological conditions. Cerebellar lesions often manifest as ataxia and dysmetria. Vestibular dysfunction can lead to ipsilateral falling, rolling, or circling. In cats, alpha-mannosidosis may cause neurological deficits, with cerebellar signs being a consistent feature, potentially accompanied by retinal and skeletal abnormalities. Mucopolysaccharidosis, primarily a feline disorder, can also contribute to these signs. Subtle gait deficits can be accentuated by observing the cat's movement on and off curbs or while blindfolded, and further evaluated through postural reaction testing of the limbs, including hemistanding and hemiwalking.
Chapter: Neurology, Genetics
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1235)