12 year old male cat staggering and tipping over

by Candy
(Ontario, Canada)

My cat is 12 years old, and has had no previous health problems other than his teeth. For the past couple of days, he has been staggering, sometimes tipping over.
He has been eating and drinking normally.
do you know what this could be?

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Hi Candy,

Sorry to hear about your cat. One possible cause of weakness in a cat is feline diabetes which often causes weakness of the hind limbs of cats.


This is caused by a neuropathy caused by high blood glucose levels. If your cat has weak hind legs, you should see a vet to discuss treatment options.

With leg problems, many cats will improve when their blood sugars come under control. In these cases, the hind leg weakness may be caused by electrolyte imbalances (low potassium levels) related to excessive urination. There is some evidence that methyl-B12, a vitamin, also known as methylcobalamin, may be a beneficial supplement.

So please see your vet to determine the exact cause and treatment of your cat's condition.

Thanks,

Dr. Chris