Torticollis in cats refers to a disease in which the head and neck are pathologically tilted to one side. There are two causes of torticollis in cats. One is congenital and the other is acquired. For example, a cat falls from a height. Neck dislocation, injury, or some central diseases can cause cats to suffer from torticollis. Owners should be aware of some diseases in cats. ​​​​​​

1. Reason

1. Congenital torticollis: including congenital vestibular damage (neutropenic leukemia caused by viruses, etc.) and neck muscle contracture caused by abnormal fetal position in the uterus during fetal period.

2. Acquired torticollis: Trauma to the neck muscles or cervical spine causes torticollis, such as cervical spine fractures, dislocations, or muscle and skin breaks caused by falling from a height. The most distinctive feature of vestibular disease is torticollis. Feline vestibular diseases are divided into peripheral and central. Among peripheral vestibular diseases, there are idiopathic vestibular diseases, otitis media, otitis interna, poisoning caused by glucosamine antibiotics, tympanic membrane trauma, and tympanic membrane tumors. The causes of central vestibular disease are encephalitis, meningitis, trauma, tumors, vitamin B1 deficiency, Toxoplasma infection, and blood circulation disorders.

2. Symptoms

1. When the examination reveals local heat or pain, it is an injury to the muscles or neck bones caused by trauma. When the pain is severe, you cannot stand. After the pain subsides, although you dare not move your head, you can move your body slowly. The back arches due to pain, and the forelimb on the opposite side to the bend of the neck is raised.

2. Torticollis caused by vestibular disease. In addition to torticollis, the limbs extend outward, causing the trunk to sink, difficulty walking, walking in circles, falling, nystagmus, and strabismus.