Sudden paralyses

Question
Hello Hilary

Our cat is a Norwegian forest cat, neutered en  approx. 11-13
years old (he was a stray therefore exact age unknown).  This
morning he gently rolled off our bed onto the carpet (about 1
foot drop) and just laid there.  He appeared alert (breathed
normal, heard beat normal, eyes open and even purred while
being stroked).  When he tried to get up but couldn't gain his
balance and just rolled back down.  We have taken him to the vet
were his temperature was normal, can move his limbs, appeared
to have no paralyses  of the limbs, tail etc, just lack of
coordination to stay upright.  The vet diagnosed brain
hemorrhage.

Two weeks ago he had a  bladder infection, for which he had a
antibiotic treatment.  At that time he also had urine / blood tests
to check for diabetic, liver and kidney functions, as he always
drinks a lot of water.  All test showed no abnormal readings.  
Before the incident this morning he had no noticeable
symptoms, eat well and all vital functions work.

From what I can find on the net a brain haemorrhage or stroke in
cats is very rare, especially for a cat our age.  

Second opinion, please.

Herman v/d Boom
Netherlands


Answer
Hi there.
I definitely understand your concern.
With a brain hemorrhage, there would be pupil dilation, and your cat would appear to be nonresponsive.
Since your cat is alert and purring, I would definitely feel as though a brain hemorrhage would not be the culprit.
Since he is moving his limps and tail, a Saddle Thrombus would also be taken off the list of possibilities.  This is where a blot clot becomes lodged, causing hind end paralysis.  With this situation, no movement is notified and the limbs are ice cold because of no blood circulation.
With a stroke, which is highly uncommon, your cat's head would be tilted, eyes dilated, and he would also be drooling.
This may be a disc problem from that simple one foot drop.  Cats and dogs have disc problems just like humans.  If there is a disc out or swelling around the disc from the fall, the symptoms you have described would make perfect sense.
This may also be vestibular disease.  Older pets experience this disease often.  This is where the vestibular nerve that is located in the inner ear to the brain either frays or disconnects. This causes the inability to regain one's balance.  This can be caused for unknown reasons and quite suddenly, or it can be caused by a severe inner ear infection. The nerve will eventually rebuild itself, although steroids are often helpful to reduce inflammation around the nerve.
Where there any x-rays performed on your cat?
Because of the symptoms your cat is experiencing, whether it be from spinal trauma, disc or brain trauma, stroke, brain hemorrhage,vestibular disease,some sort of inflammation has to be causing these symptoms.  Is your cat on any medications?  Based on the way he is reacting to whatever he is suffering from, he should be hospitalized, on IV fluids and receiving supportive care. He should be given a steroid, like Dexmethasone,or Dexmethasone Sodium Phosphate (referred to as Dex SP, which is stronger than regular Dexmethasone) as an IV injection, to reduce any inflammation that is probably the cause.
If hospitalizing him is not possible, he should at least have been given the oral steroid Prednisone.  
I hope this is helpful and I wish I could be of more help.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to ask.
Please keep me posted!
Hilary