Why Is My Cat Suddenly Having Seizures?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

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.

What to do after a cat has a seizure?

If you notice your cat having a seizure but it stops after one to two minutes, then you should

call your vet

and make an appointment to have your cat seen as soon as possible. If they are short but back-to-back, or they have more than one, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

Are seizures painful for cats?

Seeing your cat having a seizure is scary. The first thing you need to know is that

your cat isn’t in pain

. Seizures are the result of abnormal brain activity—communication between the brain and the rest of the body goes temporarily haywire.

How long can a cat live with seizures?

The hazard ratio for age at onset was 1.12 (p=0.015). This means that there was a 12% increase in the risk of death per time period for each increase of one year from the onset of seizures. For the 76 cats, the

median survival time was 4.9 years

(Fig 1).

Can a cat recover from a seizure?

Most seizures will stop on their own within one to three minutes, although it may

take a few minutes to a few hours

for the cat to completely recover.

What is a natural remedy for seizures in cats?

Pet Size Dosage Cats & Dogs under 20lbs 2-4 Drops Dogs 20-50lbs 4-6 Drops Dogs over 50lbs 0.25 mL

Should I take my cat to the vet after a seizure?

A seizure that hasn’t stopped after five minutes is cause for concern and you should call for emergency veterinary advice. 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.

How do you stop a cat from having seizures?

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Remember your cat is unconscious and making uncontrolled movements, including snapping his jaw. …
  3. If possible, move your cat to a safe place, away from stairs, furniture, etc. …
  4. When the seizure stops, your cat will be disoriented and may not recognize you.

Do cats suffer when they have seizures?

Seizures can be very frightening for both the cat and the owner. It is

important to remain calm and to not interfere with the cat during the seizure

. Be sure to also make note of how long it lasts. Just like humans, cats can also suffer permanent damage to the brain if not treated on time.

What triggers seizures in cats?

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.

What are the symptoms of a cat dying of kidney failure?

Your cat may

vomit or have diarrhea and often shows a loss of appetite with corresponding weight loss

. The buildup of toxins in the blood can lead to a depressed cat or even more severe neurologic signs such as seizures, circling, or head pressing. Some cats will die from these toxic buildups.

Did my cat have a stroke or seizure?

It’s scary to see your cat suddenly not be able to walk, look drunk, fall over to his or her side, have a head tilt, or act neurologically inappropriate (e.g.,

seizure

). Other signs that look like “acute strokes” in cats include: sudden imbalance. falling over to the side.

What can you give a cat for seizures?


Phenobarbital

is generally considered to be the first choice in treating feline seizures or epilepsy. 2 Currently, it is the most commonly used anticonvulsant drug for cats. Levetiracetam (Keppra) has been used in cats to control seizures and epilepsy.

How are seizures diagnosed in cats?

How is epilepsy in cats diagnosed? Diagnosis is essential when it comes to seizures in cats, due to the many possible causes. Diagnostic testing can include

blood tests, urinalysis, spinal fluid testing, x-rays, CT scans or MRIs

.

Is my cat having a seizure or dreaming?

Symptoms. There are a various amount of signs that come with a cat having a seizure. These can be; collapsing, foaming at the mouth, twitching of the legs, severe muscle spasms of the whole body, loss of consciousness and involuntary urinating or defecating.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.