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Expert: - 7/25/2010


Question
My cat was fine when I left for work. When my friend got home, my cat was disoriented, not right. The cat is 2 years old. My friend took him to the vet. The vet kept him for a week. They could not do anything for him. I brought my cat home. He walks around in circles, and sometimes he looses his balance. His pupils are really big. I believe my cat is blind. Could he have vestibular disease. I read that if a cat eats blue tail lizards, he could get that disease. My cat is an outdoor cat and eats anything. Is there anything I can do to help him get well. He was very active before. My cat has been neutered and has had rabies and feline leukemia shots.

Answer
I don't understand why the vet couldn't do "anything" for him at all. It does sound like he has this but he could have other things. Vestibular syndrome doesn't cause blindness.

There is no connection between eating lizards and vestibular syndrome but eating lizards makes the cat lack Vitamin B in all forms and this alone can cause many issues. Thiamine deficiency will cause falling over and enlarged pupils as well as the cat holding its head weird.

We give lizard eating cats a tonic called Val Tonic. It restores the B vitamins and helps the liver as well. You need to get it from the vet. It's worth a try. Was there any tests run on this cat? Blood work or xrays? It is possible that your cat got hit by a car as well. This will definitely cause brain trauma and circling.

I don't know what else to suggest Debra except to get another opinion if your cat isn't getting any better.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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