Nothing is quite so frightening to a cat owner than to see her cat suddenly go into a seizure, or even fall unconscious, particularly when the cat may have had no known history of serious illness. Neurological disorders in cats present with a variety of symptoms, stemming from a variety of possible causes, from injury to hypertension to parasitical invasion. Diagnosis is not always exact, but your veterinarian can offer treatment to help control the symptoms of these disorders.
This is a very basic overview of the kinds of neurological disorders that can affect cats, and their symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. For more information on specific conditions, see the Neurological Disorders section on this site.
Seizures:
Seizures (or epilepsy) in cats, are more of a symptom of an underlying condition than a medical condition. Seizures fall into two basic categories:
Seizures (or epilepsy) in cats, are more of a symptom of an underlying condition than a medical condition. Seizures fall into two basic categories:
- Secondary, related to another underlying condition.
- Feline Hypertension
- Brain Tumors
- Inflammatory diseases, including FIV, FeLV, or FIP
- Parasitical invasion, such as toxoplasmosis
- Idiopathic (primary) epilepsy, with an undetermined cause. Primary epilepsy is relatively rare in cats, but can be congenital.
My own cat, Shannon, displayed this behavior once when he stopped in mid-stride, with one foot raised in the air and a blank stare. He did not respond when I waved my hand in front of his eyes, but continued in this posture for almost one minute.
Diagnostic Tools for Seizures in Cats:
Modern veterinary offices utilize a number of tests and diagnostic procedures for ruling out possible causes of seizures, unless something such as an accidental injury presents an obvious cause.
One or more of these diagnostic methods may be used, depending on the history of the cat and the results of other tests, given more or less in the following order:
Modern veterinary offices utilize a number of tests and diagnostic procedures for ruling out possible causes of seizures, unless something such as an accidental injury presents an obvious cause.
One or more of these diagnostic methods may be used, depending on the history of the cat and the results of other tests, given more or less in the following order:
- Complete physical exam
- Blood Tests
- EKG
- CT Scan
- MRI
- CSF (Cerebral Spinal Fluid) Tap and Analysis
Treatment for Neurological Disorders:
Treatment will naturally be specialized toward the diagnosis or combination of diagnoses of the underlying medical condition(s), while giving anti-convulsant drugs such as phenobarbitol to control seizures. Treating cats with one or more conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension may involve days or weeks of experimenting with dosages to attain a stable level of disease control, while still controlling the seizures.
Treatment will naturally be specialized toward the diagnosis or combination of diagnoses of the underlying medical condition(s), while giving anti-convulsant drugs such as phenobarbitol to control seizures. Treating cats with one or more conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension may involve days or weeks of experimenting with dosages to attain a stable level of disease control, while still controlling the seizures.
Other Causes of Neurological Disorders in Cats:
Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
An often fatal viral infection which can result in lifelong ataxia (lack of balance) in cats who are infected as kittens, a condition known as cerebellar hypoplasia. Panleukopenia can be prevented by vaccination.
Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
An often fatal viral infection which can result in lifelong ataxia (lack of balance) in cats who are infected as kittens, a condition known as cerebellar hypoplasia. Panleukopenia can be prevented by vaccination.
Poisoning
Toxic substances include household cleaning products, garden sprays, and pest killers. Certain plants, when ingested, also adversely affect the central nervous system.
Toxoplasmosis
Although a relatively rare result of this parasite, central nervous system damage can result, producing blindness, ataxia, and other symptoms of CNS damage.
Although a relatively rare result of this parasite, central nervous system damage can result, producing blindness, ataxia, and other symptoms of CNS damage.
Feline Hyperesthesia:
This condition is so rarely recognized, but so commonly found that it deserves special mention. Cat owners surely must breathe a sigh of relief to find a name for the crazy list of symptoms that sometimes make their cat seem almost "possessed."
Read this excellent article by Dr. Nicholas Dodman for more information on Feline Hyperesthesia, including a number of at-home activities you can provide to help your cat with this troubling condition.
This condition is so rarely recognized, but so commonly found that it deserves special mention. Cat owners surely must breathe a sigh of relief to find a name for the crazy list of symptoms that sometimes make their cat seem almost "possessed."
- Running crazily in circles
- Loud meowing, often at night
- Rippling skin on the back
- Excessive and manic grooming
- Frequent mood swings
Read this excellent article by Dr. Nicholas Dodman for more information on Feline Hyperesthesia, including a number of at-home activities you can provide to help your cat with this troubling condition.
As with other illness in cats, careful observation and an intimate knowledge of your cat's normal health and behavior can give you a head start in identifying and treating many of these neurological disorders. As always, working in close partnership with your veterinarian is a must, for optimal health for your cat.
