Key facts at a glance
- Ataxia is a disability.
- Ataxia can be triggered by infections, accidents, genetic defects and nutrient deficiencies.
- With everyday support, a fairly normal life is possible.
What is ataxia in cats?
Feline ataxia is not a disease but a disability. Ataxia is derived from the Greek word ataxia (disorder) and is an umbrella term for various coordination disorders in cats. If a cat suffers from ataxia, the brain can no longer properly control the movements of the body, which becomes noticeable through uncoordinated movements.
Symptoms: recognize ataxia in cats
The symptoms of ataxia can vary in severity. In general, however, it can be said that the movement sequences in affected cats appear noticeably unnatural and are also clearly recognizable for laypeople.
The following signs indicate that your cat has ataxia:
- Balance problems (unsteady footing and frequent tipping over)
- Stiff or shaky gait
- Strongly stretched forelegs and arched hindlegs when walking
- trembling eyes
- shaking of the head (tremor)
- tilting of the head
- Disorders of perception and consciousness
- Sensitivity to loud noises
- Difficulty judging distances and focusing on objects such as toys
Ataxia in cats: causes and forms
Ataxia in cats can have a variety of causes. It is particularly often triggered by damage to the central nervous system. However, other possible causes of ataxia in cats include infections, accidents, genetic defects, metabolic problems, and nutritional deficiencies.
There are different forms of ataxia. The classification depends on the cause.
The following species are particularly common:
- Cerebellar ataxia
- Sensory ataxia
- Vestibular ataxia
Cerebellar ataxia
Cerebellar ataxia is particularly common in cats. It is caused by damage to the cerebellum, which is responsible for coordinating all movement processes.
In many cases, cats develop this form of ataxia in the womb. Responsible for this is an illness of the pregnant mother animal with cat epidemic, which leads to an underdevelopment of the brain in the unborn child. However, cerebellar ataxia can also occur later in cats and be triggered, for example, by an accident, a tumor or poisoning.
Sensory ataxia
Sensory ataxia is mainly caused by damage to the spinal cord. The typical symptoms of this form of ataxia include problems with the fore and hind legs, which is noticeable through a wide position of the legs, uncoordinated movements and weak muscles. Possible triggers of sensory ataxia in cats include spinal cord injuries, joint disorders and spinal deformities.
Vestibular ataxia
In vestibular ataxia, the cat’s vestibular system is damaged. This can be the result of a disease of the nerves between the inner ear and the brain, for example, or an inflammation of the inner ear.
The disturbances in the sense of balance are noticeable in affected cats, among other things, through trembling eyes, tilting of the head and frequent tipping over.
Diagnosis of ataxia in cats
With a trained eye, it is fairly easy to determine what type of ataxia a cat has by looking at the type of movement disorders. However, a thorough examination by a veterinarian is required for a reliable diagnosis.
In addition to brain and muscle current measurements, CT, MRT and X-rays are also available for this purpose. In addition, to determine the form of ataxia, the veterinarian will usually also carry out tests for diseases such as feline distemper.
Prognosis for cats affected by ataxia
There are some things you can do to make everyday life easier for a cat with ataxia. These include the following measures:
- Carpeting provides better grip when walking than smooth tiles or laminate flooring.
- A raised food bowl prevents tipping over while eating.
- Stairs and other elevated objects should be secured to prevent injury from falling.
- A litter box with a hood or high side walls offers the cat the opportunity to support itself.
In addition, the motor skills of cats with ataxia can also be promoted through training. Targeted running training and games of skill can help to strengthen the muscles and improve coordination and concentration. With patience and empathy, good progress can be made in many cases.
pays for the examinations
Of course, the tests needed to diagnose ataxia in your cat come at a cost. Even simple X-rays cost around 50 euros. An MRI can even cost up to 400 euros. You can protect yourself against these costs with a cat health insurance from . Calculate your favorable monthly premium now and ideally send us your insurance application today.