Well she's home, and because they operated quite late in the day (they were still working on her when I phoned at 4pm) she was not only wobbly from the neurological problem, but from the anaesthetic as well - I tried keeping her in the cat basket, but she was desperate to get out and I've been following her around most of the evening, to stop her from bumping into things, falling off things - she never goes upstairs, but for some reason kept insisting on trying to climb the stairs, so had to shut the door to the hall.
It doesnt sound too good, the vet is thinking vestibular syndrome - and she thinks that what she thought was an abcess around the tooth is more sinsister and linked to the lump on her neck, which she's removed. The very inflamed gum, the lump and the head tilt are all the same side. The prognosis isnt good for vestibular disease, and at the moment its hard to see how she can continue like she is because of the dangers of her hurting herself - she doesnt seem to have any awareness that she can't jump up onto things etc - bless her, she still managed to get herself to the litter tray, despite falling over on the way.
That said, she's sleeping peacefully now, having clawed her way up onto the (leather
) settee. But earlier she went to get off and I had to rush up and make sure she didnt fall. And she polished off a plate of food when she came home. Anyway, got to take her back on Thursday and will have another chat about things with the vet then.