Neurological Problems?

About four months ago Tom had one ear removed. The biopsy showed skin cancer. The vet couldn't guarantee that it would not recur. He was doing really well -- his old self. A few days ago he started losing his balance. He fell off the sofa and his favorite table. He stumbles when he walks. One eye looks larger than the other, which I understand is called ptosis. I will take him to the vet this week, but I don't feel good about his. Plus, in two weeks we are driving 11 hours south to our new home. He also has HIV and IBC, but we've handled that. Has anyone else coped with neurological problems in cats. He enjoys his food, uses the litterbox, is affectionate. I don't know what to expect.

While we are waiting for others to reply to you, this is me sending you all the hugs and prayers and hope everything will be fine for Tom.

Hang in there.

Definitely take him to the vet and have him checked out. It could be as simple as an infection. Or he could have problems, like you suggested, that the cancer has spread to his brain. One pupil bigger then the other often points to infection rather than neurological problems, so having his white blood cells counted, or seeing if he has a fever would be the first thing to do.
Your sweet boy has already been through so much, I pray it is something simple and for him to have many more years with you. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers....

A long long time ago, my Tigger went thru something similar, not sure what it was but he got better. I was very young and I'm not even sure what the vet said.

You need to get the opinion of the vet for your boy. I had a cat years ago who had skin cancer very deep in the ear and the entire ear, along with a portion of the scalp was removed. It did not recur and he did not pass away from it. In humans, melanoma is known for mets to the brain, squamous cell not as much but it can happen and I don't know if this translates to cats. There are certainly non cancer conditions which affect balance and I hope that he has something which is easily treatable.

Thanks everyone. He is on antibiotics for a possible ear infection. We are looking for improvement.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Tom! By the way, how old is he? Hopefully he will be fine for the drive to your new house.

Wishing Tom good health

How's Tom doing M MJO12 ?

Very much hoping you are starting to see improvement with the antibiotics and that he is not too distressed taking the medication.

Tom is worse and is going to vet today. He is my precious boy.

MJO12 said:

Tom is worse and is going to vet today. He is my precious boy.

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Best of luck to Tom. I hope he feels better soon. Hang in there, MJ012.

Tom's balance problems are probably not due the ear infection. The vet said the spreading ear skin cancer lesion is the problem. But Tom is still enjoying his life so he is still here with us. He is ok to travel 12 hours to our new home on the Georgia coast next week. There are good vets on St Simons Island, so I'm not worried about his medical care. Balance problem could get worse, but for now he is eating, grooming and using the litter box. He is also affectionate and interested in things. Tom was the champion jumper of my three cats, so it makes me sad that he is too unsteady to jump. But otherwise, Tom is still here today.

Bless his little soul! I hope everything goes well, just take one day at a time and love him all you can!

Very good advice. Thank you.