Leia the Siamese cat and her head tilt - Toxoplasmosis

Leia, an attractive four year old Siamese cat, visited us after her owners noticed that her head was tilted to one side and that her pupils were different size (termed anisocoria). This was a very sudden problem as Leia had been quite well otherwise.

We examined Leia but did not notice any specific problems other than her head tilt and the anisocoria. Since these signs can indicate an inner ear infection, Leia was admitted to hospital for blood tests and for x-rays of her skull.

The x-rays and blood tests were quite clear and suggested that Leia might have intracranial vestibular disease. This is a condition where inflammation of the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear causes a balance upset and leads to head tilt, circling and unsteady walking. Another blood test was taken to check for evidence of toxoplasmosis, a protozoan parasite that can cause inflammation in the brain. The test came back positive, suggesting that Toxoplasma organisms were responsible for the inflammation in Leia's inner ear.

Leia was put onto medications to treat the toxoplasmosis but the condition was making her feel so sick that she would not eat and was not cooperative when being hand fed. In this situation we normally place an oesphageal feeding tube so that we can feed the patient through the tube. This was done for Leia under a general anaesthetic. The tube extended from the oesophagus into her stomach so that our nurses and her owners could easily feed her.

After a week went by with Leia gaining weight and steadily improving, her owners were able to take her home with the feeding tube still in place. They were able to feed her and give her medications through the tube at home. Recovery from toxoplasmosis takes some time and after a month of regular check ups and medications, the tube was able to be removed as Leia was eating by herself. She still had a slight head tilt but was able to move about and was generally feeling better in herself. Nowadays she is back to her good old self.

Leia gets a cuddle from her brother Gimli