Seizures in cats: what to do, how to help, treatment

Cats are active and very playful animals. Of course, there are extremely lazy individuals, whose most “outstanding” achievement is constant sleep and continuous eating, but still not a single healthy cat will refuse to run properly. Sometimes animals flirt in such a way that they do not behave quite “appropriately”.

And it happens that at this moment short-term convulsions develop: in a cat they often last a couple of seconds, which is why the owners do not have time to understand anything. Meanwhile, any convulsions and seizures, even if they last no more than a couple of seconds, are an extremely bad sign, indicating pathologies that are dangerous to the health and life of the animal.

What are cramps

The first thing all owners of “convulsive” animals need to know is that seizures and other seizures are not a disease in themselves, but they indicate pathological functioning of the brain or the nervous and muscular systems as a whole.

Note that convulsions most often begin in two opposite situations: either the cat is absolutely calm before it, or it is actively moving. It is almost impossible to predict their occurrence.

Signs of inflammation

The first thing that indicates the development of colitis in a cat is acute and frequent diarrhea. Blood clots and mucus are present in the stool. Some cats experience pain during defecation, so they meow loudly. In some cases, animals try to stop defecating, which only provokes the development of constipation.

Other symptoms of colitis in cats:

loss of appetite,
bouts of vomiting,
lethargic state
apathy,
weakness,
refusal to play,
plaintive meow,
lack of response to any calls,
pain when palpating the abdominal area.

With colitis, the condition of cats worsens sharply. In advanced cases, body temperature rises (we remind you that in normal conditions it is 38-39 °C), and the mucous membranes acquire a violet-bluish color. In acute colitis, if you do not contact a veterinarian in a timely manner, severe convulsions are possible.

Types of seizures

Regardless of the cause, all seizures can be divided into two large categories: local and generalized (generalized). Let's consider these options in more detail.

Generalized seizures

They are easiest to identify even for the most inexperienced owner: in such cases the cat can simply fall, shaking all its limbs, it is clear that the animal is in a semi-conscious state. In many cases, severe tremor of the facial muscles is observed, drooling profusely, and involuntary urination and defecation are observed.

As a rule, generalized convulsions rarely last more than three minutes. More precisely, cats rarely survive longer attacks. In many diseases (more precisely, in their first stages), soon after convulsions the animal fully recovers and often behaves as if nothing had happened. Rapid breathing will indicate what has happened.

Interesting! Such signs indicate severe brain damage - your pet may indeed not remember the seizures, since at that time she was in a state of “twilight consciousness.”

In other cases, immediately after an attack, the animal looks confused, depressed, and may behave inappropriately for some time. During this period, it is very desirable to provide the pet with complete peace and absence of stress, since any negative environmental factors can provoke a repeat attack.

Local convulsions

They are more typical for cats (if we compare them with dogs). Seizures in this case can be very difficult to detect. The problem is that not in all cases the cat’s hind legs (or forelimbs) actively twitch. Everything is much more complicated.

As in the previous case, cats may experience a sharp increase in salivation, foam at the mouth, twitching of the eyelids or facial muscles, excessive vocalization (the cat constantly and loudly screams), as well as strange and abnormal movements of the head and/or limbs.

In severe illnesses, seizures gradually progress to generalized ones, but situations are more common when their frequency and duration increase (first the front legs twitch, and then all the limbs).

Important advice: if you see that something is definitely wrong with your cat, it is very advisable to record this moment on video.

Let us note that even experienced veterinarians are not always able to determine the root cause of seizures if the appearance of the latter is caused by some difficult to diagnose pathologies of the nervous system. In such situations, encephalography is vital. This technique (expensive and rarely used in veterinary medicine) helps to accurately determine the state of the animal's brain.

But! It happens that seizures are not a sign of some serious pathology. Let's give a simple example. Cats, of course, cannot be considered avid swimmers, but sometimes they have to be washed, or the animal ends up in a deep puddle. Local “twitching” after bathing is a relatively normal phenomenon. This happens even to professional swimmers. Treated with peace and rest.

Primary and secondary seizures

Other veterinarians prefer to divide seizures differently: also into two types, but they are guided by the root cause and time of their occurrence. In this case, all seizures are divided into primary and secondary.

The latter are found much more often than the primary ones in veterinary practice. Simply put, secondary seizures are a consequence of some serious illness acquired by the cat during its life. These include: brain tumors, inflammation or infections (encephalitis), consequences of injuries, strokes (yes, they happen in animals too). Secondary status is indicated by the presence of other signs of the disease, such as vomiting, diarrhea, an increase or sharp decrease in body temperature, etc.

With primary seizures, they are also not the disease itself, but indicate severe functional disorders of nervous activity. In particular, persistent and unexplained seizures (which are not, however, epileptic) may indicate an imbalance between the number of “excited” and “inhibited” neurons in the brain, or some problems with the volume of neurotransmitters produced by the body.

In such cases, the first seizures are observed from an early age. However, such animals usually do not live to a relatively mature age. It is believed that no more than 29% are primary. As a rule, all diseases that cause their appearance are genetically determined and are not always diagnosed (due to the lack of appropriate technical equipment).

The first cerebral symptoms of a tumor

When the second stage of the disease develops, the meninges are excited and intracranial pressure increases. As a result, cerebral changes occur.

The tumor puts pressure on the brain, affecting its functioning.

At this time, the treatment is still successful, but it takes longer and is more difficult. The symptoms of the second stage are no longer so easily confused with the symptoms of other diseases:

sensitivity is lost in certain areas of the body;
sudden dizziness occurs;
muscles weaken, often on one side of the body;
severe fatigue and drowsiness sets in;
seeing double.

At the same time, my general health deteriorates and morning sickness continues. All this manifests itself in the patient regardless of what part of the brain the tumor is located in.

However, it is still possible to confuse the symptoms - they are approximately the same as with epilepsy, neuropathy or hypotension. So if you find yourself with these symptoms, do not rush to panic. But be sure to go to the doctor - the unknown has never been good for anyone. And such symptoms should not be joked about.

Causes of seizures in cats

The causes of seizures in cats are extremely varied and numerous, and therefore it is unrealistic to describe them in one article. They can be caused by both the most “extravagant” and rare degenerative pathologies of the brain, as well as more “mundane” causes (like poisoning).

Let us list the predisposing factors that practicing veterinarians most often have to deal with:

Seizures are very characteristic of epilepsy , but with this disease they do not develop in 100% of cases.
They are also frequent manifestations of poisoning. In particular, if strychnine enters a cat’s body, convulsions can be triggered even by birdsong (hyperexcitability of the nervous system).
Oncological diseases (a common cause of seizures in an old cat).
Lack of vitamin B1. Often found in cats. The reason is excessive feeding of pets with raw river fish. The fact is that this product contains a large amount of thiaminase. This is an enzyme that destroys B1. Considering that this vitamin is extremely important for the functioning of the central nervous system, the occurrence of seizures in such situations is not surprising.
Cramps in general are often associated with nutrition. So, if a cat’s body does not receive the proper amount of vitamin B6 and magnesium, nothing good should be expected.
Very often, seizures develop with renal failure . The reason is a drop in the level of free calcium in the blood serum. In such cases, the normal conduction of neuromuscular impulses is disrupted, which leads to uncontrolled contractions of muscle fibers.
Allergic reactions. In particular, after vaccination (due to intolerance to the components of the drug).
Hypertension (and in some cases also hypotension). Critically high or low blood pressure does not have the best effect on brain function.
Reaction to some medications. In particular, convulsions after anesthesia can hardly be called an absolutely normal phenomenon, but it still happens quite often.
Sudden temperature changes. In particular, cats have a very (!) hard time withstanding heat and stuffiness.
Diabetes . One of its characteristic signs is precisely seizures that develop when blood sugar levels drop to a critically low level.
Problems with the endocrine glands. Thus, pathologies of the thyroid gland can lead to too low levels of calcium in the blood. The result is tetanic convulsions. During estrus or immediately after childbirth, the likelihood of such attacks increases markedly.

Let's describe some of these reasons in a little more detail.

Prevention of colitis: recommendations from a veterinarian

The most effective way of prevention is proper nutrition. When creating a diet, use only high quality feed with a balanced composition. If possible, consult a veterinarian - he will tell you what diet you should follow.

Make sure your animal always has access to fresh and clean water. Give him only boiled or at least filtered water - it is better to avoid raw water from the tap. Teach your cat to eat only at home and do not give anything from your table.

Other recommendations to help prevent your cat from developing colitis or other diseases of the digestive system:

carry out deworming in a timely manner;
Vaccinate your cat annually;
adhere to a proper and balanced diet;
make sure that the cat does not pick up anything from the floor or ground (small parts, threads, bones, etc.);
take care of the absence of stress in the life of your furry pet;
Pay attention to any changes in his health.

And most importantly, attend regular checkups at the veterinary clinic!

Convulsions during poisoning

As mentioned above, in case of poisoning, convulsions are a completely “normal” phenomenon. Of course, this is not always the case: such seizures are caused only by toxins that are part of the “convulsive” group. Note that in such cases, everything is usually in order with the animal’s nervous system. If you manage to remove the poison from your pet’s body in time and relieve convulsive seizures, there is a high chance of saving not only the life, but also the health of the cat.

It should be remembered that in case of poisoning, the intensity and duration of convulsions are sharply reduced immediately after gastric lavage or administration of blood substitute fluids (i.e., when the concentration of the toxin in the body decreases).

The most dangerous poisons that can cause such seizures are:

Strychnine.
Cicutotoxin.
Bicycloorthophosphates.
Silatranes.
Cis-5,6-dichloro-2,2-dicyano-3,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)norbornane.
Triazadisulfonoadamantane.

All of them are not very common, but seizures, the appearance of which is caused by poisoning, are quite common.

Why does this happen? The thing is that the same salts of heavy metals, destructive for all mammals, cannot cause seizures by themselves. But they can kill the liver, as a result of which the animal’s blood is literally “overwhelmed” by a stream of toxins. The latter, when they enter the blood, cause various and very severe side effects. They often cause chronic renal failure later, and we already know that kidney failure leads to problems with calcium levels in the blood...

Convulsions before death

Alas, we are all mortal. Our pets also have their own time limit. Seizures immediately before death are common. Is it possible to somehow understand that this particular seizure is the last in the cat’s life? Most likely (with the exception of hyperacute forms of diseases) this is real.

The seizures themselves in this case are the result of severe (and incompatible with life) changes in the cat’s body. The blood supply and oxygenation of the brain are disrupted, neurons die in the thousands, and normal life activity ceases.

As a rule, a cat does not die “out of the blue.” If he was ill for a long time, suffering greatly, or received a serious head injury in a fall or from a collision with a car, then his death, an extremely sad event, will definitely not be sudden.

Death spasms differ in their duration. From time to time, the appearance of lucid windows is noted, when consciousness returns to the animal for some time. In addition, such convulsions, unlike the “life” varieties, gradually subside, but the cat’s condition noticeably worsens in the intervals between them . Before immediate death, there are relapses of strong, powerful muscle spasms, when the cat's body can literally arch.

Forecasts for future life

With an incurable form of the pathology, the cat remains epileptic for life. In this case, the owner needs to minimize the main provoking factors (loud sounds, flashing bright lights), improve the quality of life of his pet and protect him from injury. If successful, these measures can help achieve lasting remission and reduce the frequency of seizures.

“ Try to avoid stressful situations. If you were planning a move or renovation, then for the sake of your pet’s health you will have to postpone them.

Convulsions or epileptic seizure?

We have already mentioned epilepsy several times. What is it and how can you distinguish epileptic seizures from “regular” seizures? Currently, many researchers propose to consider it not one disease, but a syndrome that combines different pathologies that can cause functional disorders of brain activity. Be that as it may, this disease is accompanied by strong and characteristic seizures, which nevertheless develop over several years (there are cases of rapid progression, but they are not so common).

When it comes to differentiation, things are complicated. It is believed that with a single seizure it is impossible to talk about epilepsy, but nevertheless seizures (a characteristic sign of both seizures and epilepsy) become more frequent over time, so they are not a reliable differential sign. Without a number of diagnostic studies (which we will discuss below), it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis.

But! In everyday life, it is believed that an epileptic seizure cannot develop in a dream: such seizures are more typical during periods of wakefulness. Ordinary convulsions occur at any time.

Diagnostics

Unfortunately, there are many problems with diagnosing the causes of sudden seizures in veterinary medicine: often clinics simply do not have the equipment to reliably identify the primary disease (however, it is often not available in “human” hospitals either). In addition, in such cases it will not be possible to get by with a simple examination and history taking. A number of detailed diagnostic studies need to be carried out.

First, a blood test, including toxicology and biochemistry, is extremely important. The latter is needed to assess the condition of the liver and kidneys (we have already written about their role in the development of seizures above). Older cats should also have their blood pressure checked several times. Severe deviations from the norm often indicate diseases of the thyroid gland, kidney failure, as well as pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. All of them can directly contribute to the occurrence of seizures.

An MRI and an encephalogram are strongly recommended. These techniques make it possible to accurately assess the state of the animal’s central nervous system. They help diagnose intracranial causes of seizures, such as brain tumors, encephalitis, stroke, or some congenital malformations. Despite the complete painlessness of the procedure, anesthesia or the administration of powerful sedatives is desirable.

In the most complex and doubtful cases, they also resort to examining the cerebrospinal fluid, as it helps to identify many infectious diseases that affect the nervous system (listeriosis, for example). Of course, this technique is not cheap. In addition, there is always a certain risk that if it is performed incorrectly, the cat will remain disabled.

Therefore, veterinarians more often resort to more gentle (and cheaper) methods, including radiography and ultrasound. Ultrasound is used more often as it allows us to assess the condition of soft tissues. If for some reason it is impossible to carry out this procedure, they resort to contrast fluoroscopy.

It should be noted the importance of repeated tests and studies for oncological causes of seizures. Even if the operation is successful, there is no guarantee that after some time the tumors will not “grow” again.

Preventive measures

Prevention will help you avoid problems related to your pet’s health:

diet with the selection of balanced feeds;
immunization and deworming of the animal;
regular treatment against parasites;
timely treatment of infectious diseases.

Preventive visits to the veterinarian 1-2 times a year will help to promptly identify and eliminate diseases of internal organs and systems.

First aid

Is it really possible to do something for your pet at home? Although a seizure is a frightening experience for any cat owner, it is important to try to remain calm rather than intervene (this usually causes much more harm). Ensure that the cat is not at risk of injuring itself, for example by falling down stairs or a dresser.

Be sure to time the onset of the seizure. It is believed that relatively “harmless” convulsions last up to two minutes. If the seizure lasts longer than three minutes and your cat seems to be getting worse, call your veterinarian immediately.

Please note that you should not try to grab a “convulsive” cat with your bare hands. Your pet is not himself at this time, and therefore may be aggressive. In addition, when a cat has a cramp, it will easily rip you with its claws.

Veterinarians at this time advise wrapping animals more tightly in a soft blanket. And the point here is not in trying to warm the cat: with some types of seizures, this should not be done. But a “wrapped” cat will not fall out of nowhere, will not get hurt, and will not tear the owner’s hands to the bones (otherwise he will need first aid).

Important! Even after the condition has normalized, it is not recommended to leave the cat alone.

It is necessary to sit with the pet, talk to it tenderly, calming it down. However, the real need for reassurance does not always arise. In most cases, the animal still does not remember anything. In such cases, it is much more important to be closer in order to react in a timely manner if the attack recurs. Unfortunately, there is nothing else you can do for your pet. If the attack starts again, or you do not like the animal’s condition, call a veterinarian immediately.

Important! Never prescribe any medications yourself. You won’t be able to help the cat, but you can completely kill it.

However, some breeders talk about the permissibility of using Corvalol. A couple of drops of this product on the tongue will help calm your pet and ease subsequent seizures (if any).

Never give food or drink to an animal that has just had a seizure: water or food sometimes triggers a relapse, during which the cat can easily choke or choke to death. In addition, we recommend placing the cat in a room with a comfortable temperature, protected from drafts. This is especially important when cramps appear after surgery.

Rules for taking anticonvulsants in veterinary medicine

When a veterinarian prescribes anticonvulsants, you must adhere to the established rules:

The dose and schedule for taking the medicine must be strictly established; chaotic use is not allowed.
You should not spontaneously stop treating your cat - this can lead to stronger seizures.

If the drug runs out, you need to worry about buying a new package in advance. If the medicine is given on a prescription, you must notify your veterinarian.
The product must be stored in a safe place, out of reach of animals or children.
You need to consult a veterinarian about compatibility with other drugs, if there is a need for supplements.

Treatment

Treatment of attacks should first of all imply the immediate elimination of their root cause (if one has been identified).

Drugs

Of course, it is impossible to cure neurological disorders in animals (as a rule), but achieving a stable lifelong remission is quite possible. Therapy is usually considered successful when the number of seizures has been reduced by at least 50%.

In cases where seizures are a consequence of severe disorders of brain activity, the animal will have to be on medication for life. In such situations, phenobarbital, levetiracetam, zonisamide, gabapentin and pregabalin are actively used.

Prevention

Prevention plays an important role, including protecting the animal from stress and other negative environmental factors.

In other cases, therapy involves immediate relief from the underlying causes:

Hormone replacement therapy, etc. It may also be relevant when seizures suddenly develop after sterilization (i.e. removal of the ovaries or testes).
Broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Antidotes for poisoning.
Antihistamines if seizures develop after an injection or other type of medication administration.
Surgery for injuries or tumors.
Chemical or radiation therapy for cancer.

And if therapy does not give any visible positive results, then what to do in this case? A repeated course of diagnostics is recommended. Reasons for positive changes include: misdiagnosis (most often), inappropriate dosage, or development of resistance to the effects of the drug.

Once again we emphasize the importance of lifelong therapy. So, if your cat’s seizures are explained by the degradation of his thyroid gland, the use of synthetic hormonal drugs should not be interrupted: the animal’s body can no longer produce its hormones.

Even when switching your pet to another medicine, this should be done gradually. An abrupt cessation of supply can provoke new attacks. The question of reducing the dosage should only be decided by a veterinarian, and only in cases where there have been no new seizures for several months.