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 Pet Central
Q&A
Q: When I read your
recent column about wry neck in rabbits, it occurred to me that my 12-year-old
cat had the same symptoms. In a mysterious incident, his eyes began to
flicker, his head quivered and his body twisted to the right as he fell
over. His head remained twisted. Since then, we’ve given him half a baby
aspirin twice a week and dexamethasone periodically. He has improved but
only slightly. Our vet suspects an inner ear infection or a stroke. Can
cats have wry neck? -- E.M., San Francisco, Calif.
A: Dr. David Reed,
president of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, treats both rabbits
and cats. He says wry neck (torticollis) in rabbits is most often due
to middle or inner ear infections, a trauma (such as a fall down stairs)
or a parasite. Cats can express similar symptoms, although in cats the
problem is rarely referred to as wry neck. Also, the cause for the continued
head tilt in cats may be different than in rabbits. In cats, the head
tilt may also occur because of a brain tumor or stroke.
Since strokes in
cats are rare, and ear infections are common, Reed suggests playing the
odds, and taking the diagnosis a few steps further. Aspirin and dexamethasone
(which is a cortisone) won’t help eliminate an ear infection. Many such
infections are deeply rooted and difficult to find, then just as challenging
to treat. In fact, sometimes stubborn inner ear infections require surgical
draining if antibiotics can’t reach them.
Reed recommends a
radiograph of the cat’s middle ear. If your vet sees infection, it’s also
likely to be found in the inner ear given your cat’s symptoms. If the
vet finds nothing, a CAT scan or MRI will provide a better view, and the
opportunity to check out the possibility of a brain tumor.
All this being said,
Reed admits you may never be able to pinpoint the cause. Perhaps, over
time, the head tilt will improve. If your cat did suffer a stroke, talk
to your vet about the possibility of brain damage. If your cat is now
otherwise acting normally and eating well, this is a great sign.
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