Seizures occur at all ages and in all breeds; however, older cats are more likely to be affected by a variety of underlying causes:
- Tumors
- Trauma
- Infections
How to help Cat during seizures?
Method 1 Method 1 of 3: Protecting the Cat from Injury During a Seizure
- Move any objects that your cat could knock against while seizing. ...
- Avoid touching the cat while he is seizing. A seizuring cat is not conscious of what goes on around him.
- Eliminate any outside stimulation. Get everyone else to leave the room. ...
- Move the cat to a safe location if he is in danger of falling. ...
- Contact your vet following the seizure. ...
What causes bladder infection in older cats?
Your cat could be stressed if:
- They're bored
- The household has too many cats and they have to compete for resources (i.e., alone time at the litter box or competing for food and water)
- Other cats bully them
- Their litter box is dirty
Can cats live with seizures?
With proper care, cats who have been diagnosed with epilepsy can live a long and happy life. If your cat has a seizure or is diagnosed with epilepsy, pet insurance can help you manage the costs of veterinary care. It can cover diagnostic tests, like X-rays, MRI, urinalysis, and bloodwork, and anti-seizure medications.
What can cause a cat to have a seizure?
- Head trauma, like an injury due to a fall or being hit by a car
- Exposure to toxins or poisons, including human medications
- Brain tumors
- Brain or spinal cord inflammation
- Metabolic diseases like heart disease or diabetes
- Epilepsy
What causes a cat to have a seizure?
Why is it scary to see a cat having seizures?
How long does a grand mal seizure last?
How do you know if your cat has a seizure?
What to do if my cat is not seizing?
What to do if your cat has epilepsy?
Can cats have seizures?
See more
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What happens when an old cat has a seizure?
Cat seizures in older cats are increased synchronous abnormal electrical activity in the brain's cerebral cortex, which leads to physical signs such as shaking, twitching, convulsions, and spasms. Older cats can be affected differently by seizures than younger cats which we expand on in this article.
What can trigger a seizure in a cat?
One-time occurrences of a seizure in your cat may be caused by a metabolic disturbance, head trauma, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), severe fever, or toxin ingestion, while repeated seizures can be an indication of epilepsy or other serious illnesses.
How Long Can cats live with seizures?
In this study, 68% of cats with EUC survived for a mean follow-up time period of 3.2 years (range 1 to 11 years), and seizures were successfully controlled in 71% of the cats.
What can you do if your cat has a seizure at home?
If your cat has a seizure, stay calm and don't touch your cat during the episode unless they are in harm's way. Keep a close eye on them, and make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your vet will address any underlying conditions causing your cat's seizures and recommend treatment, if needed.
What would cause a seizure all of a sudden?
Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a person has 2 or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy.
Can food cause seizures in cats?
Ingesting impacted product may cause nausea with excessive salivation, diarrhea or vomiting to more severe symptoms including difficulty walking, seizures and, in extreme situations, death. Pet parents are encouraged to contact their cat's veterinarian immediately if their cat is displaying any of these symptoms.
Can seizures in cats cause death?
Other common signs include behavioural changes, salivation, urination, defaecation and loss of consciousness. If untreated, seizures can lead to heat stroke, heart and other organ damage, trauma and even death.
When should you put your cat down?
When to Put a Dog or Cat Down: Things to ConsiderTerminal Disease. ... Uncontrolled Pain or Loss of Mobility. ... Untreatable Aggression or Behavioral Disease. ... More Bad Days Than Good Days.
Can kidney failure in cats cause seizures?
Anemia will add to the lethargy, weakness, and loss of appetite. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is also seen in chronic kidney disease and may cause sudden blindness or stroke like signs (sudden behavioral changes, seizures), as well as damage to the heart.
How do I comfort my cat after a seizure?
You can do the following to help your cat:Remain calm.Remember your cat is unconscious and making uncontrolled movements, including snapping his jaw. ... If possible, move your cat to a safe place, away from stairs, furniture, etc. ... When the seizure stops, your cat will be disoriented and may not recognize you.More items...•
Can dehydration cause seizures in cats?
The symptoms of electrolyte disturbances in cats can be scary for cats and their owners. Changes in breathing pace or rhythm, changes in heart rate, muscle weakness and seizures are few severe manifestations of electrolyte disturbance in cats.
What does a stroke look like in a cat?
Strokes in cats occur when blood flow to the brain suddenly gets interrupted, often due to a blood clot. Signs of a stroke in cats include stumbling, pressing their head against a hard surface, and weakness. Strokes in cats require immediate and sometimes ongoing treatment to give your cat the best chance for recovery.
Symptoms of a stroke or Seizure in elderly cat? | TheCatSite
I want to thank you for the information. My little Siamese girl, Murphy, obviously has had a bad stroke. She's 19 and won't eat or drink, plus I am fairly sure that she is blind, she yowls when she wakes up and it is a frightened yowl which isn't Murphy.
What Are Cat Seizures In Older Cats
Cat seizures in older cats are increased synchronous abnormal electrical activity in the brains cerebral cortex, which leads to physical signs such as shaking, twitching, convulsions, and spasms. Older cats can be affected differently by seizures than younger cats which we expand on in this article.
What Are The Symptoms Of Epilepsy In Cats
Seizures in cats typically only last a couple of minutes although in some cases animals can experience cluster seizures where there are multiple seizures over the course of a few hours or a few days. If your cat is having a seizure their symptoms will depend upon whether the seizure is generalized or partial.
What Causes Seizures In Cats
In some cases, seizures in cats is an unavoidable condition. Your veterinarian may not be able to pinpoint the underlying cause, and there may not have been anything the pet owner could have done to prevent its development.
Causes Of Seizures In Cats
Multiple conditions can interrupt brain functioning and lead to seizures, including:
Preventing Future Seizures Will Depend On The Specific Cause
Most age-related diseases in cats are managed with their own specific treatment plans successful treatment should prevent seizure activity. Cancers causing seizures may be able to be removed surgically or with chemotherapy.
How Long Can A Cat Live With Untreated Lymphoma
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it may not be appropriate to deny treatment to a cat with lymphoma and your vet may recommend euthanasia to protect your cat’s quality of life if treatment is not pursued. However, cheap and simple at-home steroid therapy can be used to reduce symptoms and buy the cat some time- typically a month or two.
Diagnostic Testing For Adult Onset Seizures In Dogs And Cats
Initial diagnostic testing in any patient presenting with new onset seizures should include baseline bloodwork . Bloodwork is used to help rule in/out causes for reactive seizures, identify co-morbidities that may affect further diagnostic or treatment choices, and document a baseline for monitoring if starting anticonvulsant medication.
What causes a cat to have a seizure?
The causes of an intracranial seizure include: Brain tumors. Brain infections. Brain trauma and inflammation.
Why is it scary to see a cat having seizures?
Sarah Wooten. December 5, 2019. 5 min read. Seeing a cat having seizures is scary for any pet parent. Caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, se izures can cause concerning behaviors, including thrashing, drooling and teeth chomping.
How long does a grand mal seizure last?
Grand mal seizures can occur alone or in clusters and typically last a minute or two. If a seizure lasts longer than five to 10 minutes then it's called "status epilepticus," and is a medical emergency; you should take your cat for emergency veterinary care immediately.
How do you know if your cat has a seizure?
Signs & Symptoms of a Cat Seizure. Cat seizures can take many forms. Generalized or grand mal seizures can include convulsions, limb rigidity or paddling, loss of consciousness, abnormal vocalization and loss of urinary or bowel control. Grand mal seizures can occur alone or in clusters and typically last a minute or two.
What to do if my cat is not seizing?
If a cat is stable and not currently seizing, then treatment may consist of oral anticonvulsant medicine and treatment of any underlying causes. If your vet prescribes your cat medicine, it's important to follow the dosing instructions. Changing the dose or suddenly stopping the medicine could cause seizures to resume or worsen.
What to do if your cat has epilepsy?
If your cat is in status epilepticus, then the veterinary team will provide emergency care; this can include placement of an intravenous catheter, administration of anticonvulsant medicine ( a medication that is used to help prevent or stop seizures, sometimes referred to as "anti-seizure") and collection of blood and urine samples for analysis .
Can cats have seizures?
Any cat, including one that is experiencing seizures or neurological signs, can benefit from eating a complete and balanced food that's high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, unless otherwise directed by your vet. Cat seizures are always scary to witness, but luckily, very rare for cats.
Why do older cats have seizures?
What is causing cat seizures in older cats? Cat seizures can be a symptom of many different health problems and the causes are often categorised as intracranial (within the brain) or extracranial (due to disease elsewhere in the body). Examples of intracranial causes include brain inflammation, tumours and trauma.
What is a cat's seizure?
What are cat seizures? Cat seizures are a sign of abnormal brain functioning, and not actually a disease diagnosis in itself. During a seizure, there is sudden, abnormal electrical impulses that disrupt the normal processes within the brain.
How long does a cat's seizure last?
The signs of a cat seizure will vary depending on the cause and type of episode. General seizures typically have a sudden onset and last up to three minutes. They can be alarming to watch as you might see symptoms such as shaking, losing consciousness, twitching or urinating.
What are the symptoms of a partial seizure in cats?
The symptoms of a partial seizure in cats can include: Unusual movements. Drooling. Facial twitching. Tail chasing. Loud vocalisations. Aggressive behaviour. In certain cases, it can be difficult to distinguish the symptoms of cat seizure from other behavioural causes.
How long does it take for a cat to have a seizure?
If the seizure has stopped after three minutes or less, you should still book an appointment with your vet, especially if this is the first time you have noticed it in your cat.
Why does my cat go unnoticed?
At times an episode can go unnoticed because the signs are so slight. Keep an eye out for symptoms such as excessive thirst, tiredness or constant pacing, as these changes can follow a seizure. If you suspect there is something unusual about your cat’s behaviour, make sure you check these symptoms with the vet.
Can you touch a cat during a seizure?
It is tempting for a loving cat owner to want to help their pet in those moments, but you should avoid touching your cat during the seizure, unless absolutely necessary. If they’re in danger of hurting themselves by falling or hitting a hard surface, you should move your pet to a safer place. Make sure you use a blanket to avoid being bitten or scratched, as these behaviours can be very common during a seizure even in a pet that is normally very docile.
What Are Cat Seizures in Older Cats?
Cat seizures in older cats are increased synchronous abnormal electrical activity in the brain’s cerebral cortex, which leads to physical signs such as shaking, twitching, convulsions, and spasms. Older cats can be affected differently by seizures than younger cats which we expand on in this article.
Signs and Symptoms of Cat Seizures
Seizures have four different phases, and there are various signs you might see as an owner depending on when you are around them.
The Causes of Feline Seizures in Senior Cats
There are many different possible causes of seizures which are listed below:
What Should I do if my Cat Has a Seizure
When your cat begins to have a seizure, it can be very stressful and traumatic. Therefore, it is crucial to stay calm and follow the advice of your veterinarian. Below we have listed some do’s and don’ts to help.
Available Treatment Options For Cat Seizures in Older Cats
The good news is that seizures can be treated better with modern medicine than in the past. The treatment varies on the cause.
A List of Information to Provide to Your Veterinarian
Here is a list of information that will be valuable to your veterinarian:
Important Considerations When Prescribing Anticonvulsant Medication for Senior Cats
Anticonvulsant medications can help prevent seizures, but there are some important considerations when your pet is prescribed them:
What is a feline seizure?
Feline seizures are divided into two types: Partial or focal seizures, where just a part of the brain is affected, leading to localized muscle twitching e.g face, eyelids, one limb, etc. Generalized seizures (also known as “grand mal” seizures) where the abnormal electrical activity affects most of the brain, causing generalized muscle twitching ...
How rare are seizures in cats?
Seizures are rare in cats, affecting around one in fifty cats. In two-thirds of cases, a definite cause can be identified, while in a third of cases, no cause can be found, so they are classified as idiopathic epilepsy. Veterinary care is essential for effective treatment.
How long does a cat's seizure last?
Cat Seizure Treatment. Most seizures only last for seconds or a few minutes and no immediate treatment is needed. Rarely, a generalized seizure may continue for more than a few minutes (so-called status epilepticus) and in such cases, the animal should be rushed to the vet for emergency treatment.
How do you know if your cat has a seizure?
Loss of consciousness (seizing cats may appear distressed but they are unconscious so have no awareness of what’s happening). Flailing movement of the lim bs i.e. extension and flexion, rapid paddling as if trying to run while lying down.
What to do if a cat has a brain tumor?
If a brain tumor is identified, surgery to remove the tumor may be suggested. This is why accurate diagnosis of the cause is so important. If no specific cause is identified, and the cat is therefore diagnosed with “idiopathic epilepsy”, anti-seizure medication may be needed.
What are the symptoms of a seizing cat?
Vocalization, which can sound distressing (even though seizing cats are unconscious so they are not aware that they are vocalizing) Autonomic activity i.e. salivation and drooling, rapid heart rate, and panting.
What is a seizure in 2021?
Updated May 15, 2021 Share. Seizures, also known as fits or convulsions, are caused by excessive electrical activity in the brain. The random firing of nerve impulses leads to loss of normal consciousness with uncontrolled, uncoordinated, repetitive contractions of some or most muscles of the body.
What is a cat's seizure?
Seizures, or convulsions, are characterized by uncontrolled muscle movements. Cats can have seizures and they are an extremely alarming incident. Seizures in cats can vary in cause and severity. Affected animals will often seem “out of sorts” both immediately prior to and after the seizure event. They will usually seem unaware ...
What causes seizures in dogs?
The most notorious causes of toxic events that can lead to seizures include antifreeze poisoning and topical insecticides meant for dogs. 2. Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) can also occur in cats. Like any inflammation, it can be infectious, parasitic or auto-immune.
What is a developmental disorder in cats?
An example of developmental disorder in cats can occur when a mother cat becomes infected with feline panleukopenia (a very contagious virus that we routinely vaccinate for) during her pregnancy. The virus can infect the brains of developing kittens and cause seizure disorders.
Why does my cat have a bloody nose?
Sometimes head injury cats will have a bloody nose or unequal pupils, in addition to the staggering and seizures. 5. Other causes can progress to seizures for cats. Cancerous processes can be a reason, depending upon where the tumor is located.
Can a seizure be managed at home?
Not all of these causes carry a guarded prognosis and early intervention can be the difference between life and death. Seizures are not an issue that can managed at home without veterinary supervision.
Can feline leukemia cause seizures?
Common feline infections, Feline Leukemia can be an underlying factor for seizure disorder as can certain parasites. 3. Developmental disorders are defined as conditions that occur during an animal’s formation and growth. These things can be secondary to infectious processes or just a mishap in development.
What causes a cat to have a seizure?
The causes of an intracranial seizure include: Brain tumors. Brain infections. Brain trauma and inflammation.
Why is it scary to see a cat having seizures?
Sarah Wooten. December 5, 2019. 5 min read. Seeing a cat having seizures is scary for any pet parent. Caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, se izures can cause concerning behaviors, including thrashing, drooling and teeth chomping.
How long does a grand mal seizure last?
Grand mal seizures can occur alone or in clusters and typically last a minute or two. If a seizure lasts longer than five to 10 minutes then it's called "status epilepticus," and is a medical emergency; you should take your cat for emergency veterinary care immediately.
How do you know if your cat has a seizure?
Signs & Symptoms of a Cat Seizure. Cat seizures can take many forms. Generalized or grand mal seizures can include convulsions, limb rigidity or paddling, loss of consciousness, abnormal vocalization and loss of urinary or bowel control. Grand mal seizures can occur alone or in clusters and typically last a minute or two.
What to do if my cat is not seizing?
If a cat is stable and not currently seizing, then treatment may consist of oral anticonvulsant medicine and treatment of any underlying causes. If your vet prescribes your cat medicine, it's important to follow the dosing instructions. Changing the dose or suddenly stopping the medicine could cause seizures to resume or worsen.
What to do if your cat has epilepsy?
If your cat is in status epilepticus, then the veterinary team will provide emergency care; this can include placement of an intravenous catheter, administration of anticonvulsant medicine ( a medication that is used to help prevent or stop seizures, sometimes referred to as "anti-seizure") and collection of blood and urine samples for analysis .
Can cats have seizures?
Any cat, including one that is experiencing seizures or neurological signs, can benefit from eating a complete and balanced food that's high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, unless otherwise directed by your vet. Cat seizures are always scary to witness, but luckily, very rare for cats.
