Does Your Cat Have Head Tremors?

Does your cat have head tremors? If your cat shakes its head back and forth uncontrollably, then it probably does have head tremors. These tremors can range from barely noticeable to much more severe and often the stricken cat will scratch at its ears and other parts of its head. Head tremors are not a common behavior of cats so if your cat does appear to be having them, then there is definitely something wrong. Head tremors are usually a symptom of a much greater medical condition that will need to be seen about by a veterinarian.

What causes head tremors? There are several causes for head tremors in cats and most of them are serious health conditions, but not all of them. The least serious cause of head tremors or of the cat shaking and scratching at its head and ears is ear mites or fleas. These parasites are the first thing that should be checked for when you are trying to determine why your cat has head tremors. All of the other causes will need to be determined by a vet. These causes are vestibular disease which will affect the cat's gravity and usually includes inner ear infection, panleukopenia virus is passed from momma cat to her kittens and attacks the kitten's developing cerebellum, drugs, trauma which is often an outcome of the cat being hit by a car, being in a fight or having taken a big fall, inflammatory processes, encephalitis which is an infection of the brain, genetic causes, idiopathic causes and cerebellum abnormalities.

If you notice your cat having head tremors you should take it to the vet. Especially if you do not see any fleas or ear mites on the cat the could be causing the tremors. If you do happen to see fleas or ear mites, treat the cat for them then watch it closely to make sure that the fleas or ear mites were the cause of the problem. If the cat is still having the head tremors after treating for the fleas or ear mites, the take the cat to the vet. With head tremors being a symptom of a medical condition, the trip to the vet is a very important part of getting the cat over the head tremors and hopefully of treating the cause so that the cat will not suffer from any more. It is always better to be safe and take the cat to the vet than to regret the outcome later.