American Shorthair Cat

　　【Causes】

　　1. Congenital torticollis: including congenital vestibular damage (caused by viruses such as granulocytic leukemia) and neck muscle contracture caused by abnormal fetal positioning in the uterus during pregnancy.

　　2. Acquired torticollis: (1) trauma to neck muscles or cervical vertebrae causing torticollis, such as cervical vertebra fracture, dislocation, or ruptures of muscle or skin caused by falls from high places. (2) Vestibular diseases are the most obvious cause of torticollis. Feline vestibular disease is divided into peripheral and central types. Peripheral vestibular disease includes idiopathic vestibular syndrome, otitis media, labyrinthitis, toxicity caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics, tympanic membrane trauma, and tympanic membrane tumors. Causes of central vestibular disease include encephalitis, meningitis, trauma, tumors, vitamin B1 deficiency, toxoplasmosis, and circulatory disorders.

　　【Symptoms】

　　1. When a local heat sensation or pain is found during examination, it indicates injury to muscle or cervical bone caused by trauma. In severe pain, the cat cannot stand; after pain relief, although it dares not move its head, the body can slowly move. Due to pain, the back arches, and the forelimb on the side opposite to the neck bend is raised.

　　2. Torticollis caused by vestibular disease, besides torticollis itself, also shows outward extension of all limbs, causing the torso to sink, difficulty walking, circling, falling, nystagmus, and strabismus. (Source：PetsZone)