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Feline vestibular syndrome

A cat balance emergency: sudden head tilt, flicking eyes and stumbling. Idiopathic vestibular syndrome has an excellent prognosis (self-resolving in days to two weeks) — but otitis, toxins, tumors and clots must be ruled out.

🔍 Related symptoms

Typical symptoms ranked by diagnostic value — tap for the full symptom page

Head tilt Nystagmus 🚨Wobbling / loss of balance Vomiting Hiding / refusing to be touched

✅ Home-care checklist

✓Block high perches (falls cause injury)
✓Assist food and water
✓Reduce noise and stimulation
✓Keep a symptom timeline

🏥 When to see a vet

⚠Sudden head tilt + flicking eyes
⚠Circling or paralysis
⚠First episode in a senior cat (rule out hypertension/tumors)

🐾 Predisposed breeds

Can occur in any breed — no specific predisposition

Not sure how serious it is? Assess it with the symptom checker

Start symptom check →