Full Answer
What can I give my Cat for a seizure?
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.
What is epilepsy in cats and how can you help?
Epilepsy is rare in cats, and is a condition where no underlying cause is found to explain the seizures. Luckily, there are ways to control the seizures your cat is experiencing with the help of medication.
Can a cat have a seizure immediately after an injury?
A seizure can occur immediately after the injury, but is also quite likely to occur a few weeks after. Seizures can also happen due to exposure or ingestion of poison. And, very commonly, seizures are a symptom of a disease -- feline leukemia, FIV, liver failure, or kidney failure can all lead to seizures.
Can a gluten-free diet help a cat with epilepsy?
Switch the cat to a gluten-free diet if you think it may help. There is no scientific evidence that diet plays a role in causing epilepsy in the cat. However, there are anecdotal accounts of cats that stopped having seizures when they were fed a gluten free diet.
What do you feed a cat after a seizure?
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.
What to do after a cat has had a seizure?
What should you do when your cat is having a seizure?Keep an eye on time. You want to make sure you know how long the cat seizure lasts. ... Reduce stimulation. ... Don't move or touch the cat. ... Call the vet if the seizure doesn't stop.
How long does it take for a cat to 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 foods cause seizures in cats?
Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical found in all chocolate including white chocolate, which is toxic to cats. Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and even death. Dark and semisweet chocolate are the most dangerous. Coffee/Caffeine: Along with chocolate, coffee contains caffeine.
Can a cat be OK after a seizure?
After the seizure (post-ictal), your cat will be disoriented, may show temporary paralysis in one or more legs, seem blind, vomit, or show other behavior changes. These changes are usually short-lived, although it may take several days before your cat seems completely “normal” again.
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.
What is a natural remedy for seizures in cats?
Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower) is an herb used widely for anxiety and stress and is also useful for calming an overstimulated nervous system. In this way Passiflora is effective in both prevention and treatment of seizures, especially when stress is a precipitating factor, as is often the case with seizures.
What causes sudden seizures in cats?
Intracranial causes of seizures can arise from structural diseases within the cat's brain such as a tumor, inflammation of the brain, an infection (encephalitis), brain malformation, head trauma, or stroke, or from functional issues within the brain (primary epilepsy).
Do seizures in cats cause brain damage?
It is important that a cat having regular seizures (more than one every six to eight weeks) receives treatment even if the cause is not understood. This is because each seizure can lead to further brain damage and increase the likelihood of more severe seizures and complications.
Can Tuna cause seizures in cats?
Neurologic problems, such as seizures, tremors, loss of coordination and muscle weakness, are common in cats that eat only tuna. These problems occur with mercury contamination of tuna and because canned tuna contains only tiny amounts of B vitamins, which cats require in large quantities.
Can dehydration in cats cause seizures?
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 causes sudden seizures in cats?
Intracranial causes of seizures can arise from structural diseases within the cat's brain such as a tumor, inflammation of the brain, an infection (encephalitis), brain malformation, head trauma, or stroke, or from functional issues within the brain (primary epilepsy).
Do seizures cause brain damage cats?
It is important that a cat having regular seizures (more than one every six to eight weeks) receives treatment even if the cause is not understood. This is because each seizure can lead to further brain damage and increase the likelihood of more severe seizures and complications.
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.
Should I put my cat down for seizures?
Keep quiet — When your pet has a seizure, stay quiet and calm. Ensure your pet cannot be harmed by falling down stairs or off furniture, but otherwise, sit calmly with your pet until the seizure is over.
What can trigger a seizure in a cat?
Cat seizures may be caused by intracranial or extracranial causes. Head trauma, infectious diseases, brain inflammation, epilepsy, or exposure to t...
What should I do if my cat has a seizure?
Remain calm. Only move the cat if they are in a place where they could be injured or injure other pets and people during the seizure. If you have t...
What are the symptoms of a cat having a seizure?
Cats may fall to one side and convulse during a seizure, but seizure symptoms are not always as noticeable. The cat may have slight changes in beha...
How long can a cat live with seizures?
The majority of cats who have had a seizure or seizures can still live a long life with proper care and medication. But longer seizures and cluster...
Does crinkling aluminum foil cause cats to have seizures?
Feline audiogenic reflex seizures (FARS) is a rare condition in cats. Cats with this condition may have seizures caused by high-pitched noises, suc...
Medically reviewed by
One of the scariest experiences for a pet owner is witnessing your beloved, four-legged companion experience a seizure.
What is a Seizure?
Before we get into the specifics as to why your cat may be experiencing a seizure, it is important to understand exactly what a seizure is.
Cat Having a Seizure: What To Do
If you notice symptoms of the pre-ictal state, do everything you can to ensure your cat’s safety during the seizure. This means keeping them away from furniture or things on the floor that they could hurt themselves with.
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.
Cat Seizure Diagnosis
Diagnosing cat seizures ultimately begins with the cat owner observing their feline’s first episode.
Seizure Copycats: What Else It Could Be
There are a few medical conditions that closely mimic the clinical signs of a seizure but are, in fact, something entirely different.
Treatment for Seizures
Cats who experience frequent seizures and those who are diagnosed with epilepsy are typically prescribed an anticonvulsant medication, most commonly a drug called phenobarbital.
What is the best diet for dogs with seizures?
Beneficial features of Arden Grange diets for dogs and cats suffering from seizures 1 They are made without gluten which can stimulate the opioid receptors in the brain, increasing the susceptibility to seizures in animals predisposed to them. *1 2 They supply minerals which are easily absorbed. Magnesium, zinc and calcium deficiencies may reduce seizure thresholds. 3 The dry products contain krill, which is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which help maintain the structure and function of the cellular and sub-cellular membranes, as well as support growth of blood vessels and nerves. 4 They contain antioxidant vitamins, minerals and plant extracts which can help protect the body from free-radical damage resulting from oxidative stress. Excessive free-radical release is likely implicated in the initiation and progression of epilepsy. *2 5 The products are made to fixed formulae and designed to promote a steady release of energy and help prevent seizures related to the peaks and troughs of glucose. 6 Moderate salt levels. This is especially important for dogs taking potassium bromide as an anticonvulsant.hey are hypoallergenic (contain no wheat, soya or dairy products). It may be sensible to avoid these common dietary allergens as allergies contribute to metabolic stress, and although rare in dogs and cats, severe food allergies can cause anaphylactic reactions which sometimes result in seizures.
Is a diet that supports the neurological system a substitute for veterinary intervention and medication?
Here is our advice... Wednesday 20th January 2021. A diet that supports the neurological system is not a substitute for veterinary intervention and medication (if required) but it may have several benefits to cats and dogs suffering from seizures.
Does krill help with seizure thresholds?
Magnesium, zinc and calcium deficiencies may reduce seizure thresholds . The dry products contain krill, which is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which help maintain the structure and function of the cellular and sub-cellular membranes, as well as support growth of blood vessels and nerves.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Why does my cat have a seizure?
A main reason for a cat to have a seizure is as a result of some sort of damage to their brain, like a hit to the head. A seizure can occur immediately after the injury, but is also quite likely to occur a few weeks after. Seizures can also happen due to exposure or ingestion of poison.
What happens when a cat has a seizure?
Once the seizure commences -- the ictal stage -- your cat may foam at the mouth, become incontinent, and move limbs and body erratically and jerk body parts around. It can look very alarming, since your cat is clearly not in control of their motions. After the seizure is complete, which generally occurs in a few minutes, ...
How long does a cat's seizure last?
Seizures generally last a minute or two, possibly up to three or four minutes. A seizure that lasts more than five minutes is problematic, and you should immediately reach out to your vet.
What is the phase of a cat's seizure called?
Seizures are divided up into stages -- the phase leading up to the seizure is known as prodromal. In this period prior to the seizure, your cat may act oddly. You may notice them being anxious, on edge, or starting at nothing. Once the seizure commences -- the ictal stage -- your cat may foam at the mouth, become incontinent, ...
Can you watch a cat have a seizure?
Watching your cat have a seizure is incredibly scary, especially if you don't know the cause. Find out the causes and treatments for seizures in cats. When cats experience seizures, the minutes of the seizure’s occurrence can feel very long, since it’s such a frightening episode.
Can cats hold their tongues?
No need to try to protect your pet’s tongue -- certainly don’t try to hold the tongue yourself, since that could result in injury to yourself. Cats aren’t in danger of swallowing their tongues during a seizure like people are.
