We've had our cat for almost 18 years now and up until very recently, she has been completely healthy with no problems at all. Well for a while, my cat's claws never seem to retract so I clipped them and after this, she hasn't been the same. Since we have had her, she has never ever gone to the toilet in our house. She has a cat flap so she used to come and go when she pleased. However, now she doesn't appear to be going out, she is going to the toilet in my house and keeps losing her balance. When I say losing her balance, it just seems that her right back leg is the problem and she seems to be fine when walking, it's when she goes to lay down, she kind of falls down. And she doesn't seem to be able to get comfortable when she does lay down.

I have a vet appointment booked for her tomorrow but am wondering if anyone knows what could be up with her. She also keeps walking around the edges of the room and her neck doesn't seem to be as strong, for example, I picked her up and her head was resting under my neck. She would never normally do that. Apart from that, she seems ok and she is still eating fine. I'm just really worried about her.

Sounds to me like she possibly could have had a stroke.
As for her toileting inside this is probaly because she can't get out quick enough what with old age and her limbs hurting. I would give her a couple of litter trays so she doesn't have to go far to go to the toilet. As for walking around the corners of the room could be a sign she is going blind bless her.
good luck at the vets and please do let us know how she gets on. sending big hugs to you both

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If cats could talk they would lie to you
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

aww bless her. do let us know what the vet says, fingers crossed she will be ok,xxxxx

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Thanks everyone. I did wonder myself if she had had a stroke and if she could be going blind but her sight seems to be fine. She isn't bumping in to things or anything like that so I really hope that isn't the case.

I'm really worried as I've had her since I was about 9 (I'll be 27 next week) and would be absolutely devastated if she had to be put down. I know it is envitable that it will happen at some point, especially as she is getting older but I really can't bear the thought of it.

Thanks for your advice/support. I'll report back tomorrow to let you know the outcome. Fingers crossed it's good news xxx

My elderly cat (who is 12) had a stroke when we moved house 18 months ago - and she is still around and seems to be back to normal.
I hope she is ok - let us know how u get on

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Breeders of Burmese & Siamese Cats
www.purrfactor.com

Hi Susan, I'm the same age and lost my cat last month . She had similar symptoms to what you're describing and the vet initially thought it was a stroke but it turned out to be a kidney problem where the kidneys were enlarged and causing discomfort around the back legs.
Hope your vet can help your puss
x

sorry to hear about your kittie, hope all goes well at the vet keep us updatedxx

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.