Epilepsy or epileptic seizures in cats is a condition, which is characterized by the convulsions or seizures of a cat. This condition can be a symptom of a brain condition or malfunction. In this article, we will be discussing what epileptic seizures really are. We will also be including the possible causes, symptoms, prognosis and treatments for the malady. If you want to learn all of these, feel free to give this article a read.
Epileptic Seizures in Cats: What are these?
During a striking mal epileptic seizures in cats, the cat may likely to fall on its side, its leg muscles may shake with convulsions. Furthermore, it may also salivate and may defecate or urinate naively. Additionally, a petit mal seizure doesn’t really result in convulsions, yet the cat might just abruptly collapse into a short state of unconsciousness. Moreover, the grand mal seizures are actually common in cats, rather than in petit mal seizures.
In addition, an epileptic seizure is a possible symptom of brain malfunction or disorder. The epileptic seizures are often the result of the neurotransmitters in a portion of the brain that’s uncontrollably firing. Generally, there are two types of epileptic seizures in cats –the petit mal and the grand mal. The seizures may also happen in a cat that doesn’t have any epilepsy. However, this is rather the result of some other causes.
Causes of Cat Epileptic Seizures
The epileptic seizures in cats may be the result of numerous different factors. In case the cat has a seizure, the vet must immediately be notified to determine the cause. Some of the causes of epileptic seizures in cats include the following:
- Main epilepsy –misfiring of the brain neurons
- Head trauma
- Brain inflammation
- Brain tumor
- Ingested toxins
- Genetic trait
Symptoms of Cat Epileptic Seizures
The epileptic seizures in cats often happen while the cat is sleeping or is at rest, commonly at night or early in the morning. The symptoms, as well as the signs of this condition in cats are often first perceived when the cat is at the age of 1 to 4. Furthermore, there are several symptoms, which may help in detecting when the cat is having or going to have an epileptic seizure, as the seizures commonly happen in phases.
- Aura- This phase happens moments before the seizure, the cat might seem fidgety, salivate or hide. It might also seek out for comfort.
- Ictus- At this moment, the cat might run in circles, throw up, have convulsions, or collapse, which may all last for about 5 minutes. Its head might also be thrown backwards, its legs may shake, as if it is trying to swim.
- Post-seizure- This phase is also known as the recovery phase. The cat is disoriented, uncoordinated, temporarily blind, and confused. This particular phase may last only a few minutes to several days.
Prognosis of Cat Epileptic Seizures
A vet might be able to diagnosis whether or not the seizure of the cat are due to epilepsy. Further, the vet might listen to the symptoms you’ll describe, as well as conduct various tests, in order to come to a conclusion regarding the prognosis.
Moreover, the prognosis of epilepsy might be the result of eliminating first structural and metabolic causes, both outside and within the cranium. The diagnosis of the cause of the epileptic seizures in cats because of the exposure to toxin may be found using a blood test and the remembrance of the toxins all over the home. In the older cats, high blood pressure might often be the reason of the late onset of the seizures.
In addition, brain disease may cause seizures and the veterinarian may test for this through the following procedures:
- CSF analysis
- CT scan of the brain
- MRI scan of the brain
- Blood tests
- Physical examination
Treatment for Cat Epileptic Seizures
As a cat owner, here are the things that you can best do for the cat if you happen to observe a seizure that is in progress:
- Call the veterinarian immediately in case the seizure has persisted for more than 3 minutes, or if some other seizure happens right away
- Observe the cat carefully and note the duration of the seizure
- Place the cat on the floor, as falling may just cause injury to the cat
- Remove whatever sharp or heavy objects, which might cause the injury
- Don’t place anything in the cat’s mouth
- Don’t overreact
- Stay as calm as possible
If the convulsions are found to be the cause of the primary condition, the vet might treat that issue using an appropriate surgery or drug. Just like removing a tumor. In case the vet diagnoses epilepsy as the cause, anticonvulsant medications may be prescribed. When the anticonvulsant medication has already been started, it’s significant that the cat will not take them off abruptly or skip its doses. This is since these actions may lead to more seizures.