So we took Sammy to the vet and he immediately started looking in her mouth. He said she has a gum infection which is affecting the whole of her head and this is probably why she is losing her balance. I did say to him that I thought it could be a stroke, but he said that it didn't appear to be as this usually affects one side of the cat and Sammy didn't seem to be having that problem (I can't remember exactly what he said - I was just so relieved to hear it was just a gum infection). Anyway, he said that she is really old but she seems fine apart from the gum infection. He gave her an injection which he hopes will clear it up within 2 weeks but to bring her back if it hasn't.

I've booked another appointment for then anyway just in case as he said, if that injection doesn't clear it up, the last resort would be to operate on her to have the tooth removed but he really wouldn't like to do that as she is so old and may not survive the operation.

Thanks for all your support. I feel relieved now. Hopefully the infection will clear up and she can have a good few years left in her yet.