Some cat owners only need to see a veterinarian for routine wellness exams and vaccinations. But what happens if your seemingly healthy cat starts seizing? This medical emergency can be scary for both animals and their owners.
This guide explains what to do if your cat has a seizure so you can help them recover as quickly as possible. Learn about the underlying medical conditions that lead to seizures as well as common treatment plans.
What Causes Seizures in Cats?
Felines may start seizing due to several underlying factors, including:
- Lights and sounds: Seizures may follow when a cat has exposure to bright lights and loud, high-pitched sounds.
- Low blood sugar: Hypoglycemia, the term for low blood sugar levels, typically affects kittens who don’t receive enough nutrients. It also impacts diabetic cats receiving insulin therapy.
- Exposure to toxins: If your cat ingests dangerous toxins, their body’s natural response may be to seize.
- Heatstroke: Severe heatstroke can trigger additional health issues, including seizures and other neurological disorders in cats.
- Epilepsy: Cat epilepsy may be to blame if your furry friend experiences recurrent seizures.
- Tumors: Increased inflammation and intracranial pressure from brain tumors often lead to seizures.
Vets may conduct various diagnostic tests to pinpoint the cause of a seizure. Blood and urine testing, along with X-ray and ultrasound images, provide insight into serious medical issues that lead to seizures.
You may not know what to do if your cat has a seizure for the first time. However, once you understand common triggers, you may be able to prevent them or seek the proper veterinary treatment.
Recognizing Common Feline Seizure Symptoms
How can you tell if your cat is seizing? They may experience a wide range of symptoms, depending on the type of seizure they’re suffering from. Take a closer look at the two main types and the symptoms associated with them.
Focal Seizures
It’s possible for your cat to experience a partial seizure, which only affects one part of their brain. Depending on which part of the brain has changes in electrical activity, a cat’s symptoms may be limited to certain body parts. Focal seizure symptoms may include:
- Facial twitching
- Strange head or neck movements
- Loud, unusual vocal sounds
- Drooling
- General disorientation
Because this type of seizure doesn’t lead to full-body convulsions, it’s easy to write off the symptoms as something else. Recognizing the signs of a focal seizure is crucial and allows you to be proactive about seeking veterinary care.
Grand Mal or Generalized Seizures
The uncontrollable shaking and convulsions that many people associate with seizures fall under this category. Grand mal or generalized seizures occur in three distinct stages.
The pre-ictal stage, which takes place right before the body seizes, can make your cat whine, shake, or appear nervous. They may seek attention from you as they sense something off. This leads into the ictal phase, which includes the following symptoms:
- Full-body shaking while the cat falls to one side
- Flailing legs
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of bladder control
These symptoms may last for several minutes before cats enter the post-ictal stage. Following a seizure, they may be disoriented and confused. It’s common for cats to pace back and forth as they recover from the event.
Four Ways To Help a Seizing Cat
Do you know what to do if your cat has a seizure? As scary as they can be for pet owners, seizures are treatable. Make sure you take the proper measures to help your four-legged companion overcome the ictal phase and bring them to a vet for further treatment.
Keep the following steps in mind if your pet experiences feline seizure symptoms.
1. Keep Them Safe
A grand mal seizure can cause your cat to convulse uncontrollably, while a focal seizure may make them disoriented and have trouble walking. Safety is paramount when symptoms arise. Move your cat to a safe area if they are in danger when the symptoms start.
For example, your feline friend could be atop a window perch when they lose consciousness and start convulsing. They may stumble near the top of a staircase when you notice focal seizure symptoms. Being on raised surfaces like these can put them in harm’s way.
Wrap them in a towel and carefully move them to a safer location in your house.
2. Give Them Space
If you ask a veterinarian what to do if your cat has a seizure, their answer may surprise you. Many pet owners want to jump into action and comfort their animals during their time of need. In reality, the best thing you can do is give them space.
Seizures typically only last for a few minutes. During that time, avoid crowding your kitty. If you have other pets in the household, do your best to keep them away from the cat until the symptoms pass.
It’s okay to be in the same room as your pet to monitor their symptoms. Keep your hands to yourself, as seizing cats tend to bite during their frantic state. You also want to avoid getting too close in case they lose control of their bladder and bowels amid their episode.
You can pet and comfort them once they reach the post-ictal stage and begin recovering.
3. Time the Seizure
Watch the clock as soon as you notice your pet’s symptoms. While most seizures don’t last longer than two minutes, some severe episodes may impact your cat for five minutes or more. Recording the duration of each episode is crucial, as longer seizures require emergency veterinary care.
This is also important for cats who experience frequent seizures. If the length of each one gradually increases, it may signal a change in their underlying health conditions.
4. Care for Them During Post-Seizure Recovery
Do you know what to do if your cat has a seizure? As difficult as it is to leave them be, focus on recording the ictal symptoms until they subside. Once the episode ends and your cat regains consciousness, you can give them plenty of nurturing care.
Vets recommend food and fresh water as seizure first aid for cats. Animals may suddenly become hungry or thirsty following this medical event, so fill their water bowl and offer them food during their recovery.
Give them lots of attention, pets, and cuddles in the aftermath. Your cat may appear dazed shortly after a seizure. Monitor their symptoms and don’t be afraid to seek emergency veterinary care if your cat doesn’t return to their normal selves within a few hours.
How To Treat Feline Seizures
When you ask a veterinarian what to do if your cat has a seizure, they’ll provide tips for monitoring their condition and preventing further episodes. Speak to your vet after your pet’s first seizure to discuss possible causes. With any luck, the episode will be a one-time occurrence.
If your cat experiences multiple seizures over a short period, it’s time to bring them in for an examination. Veterinarians will check their bloodwork and potentially run imaging tests to diagnose brain tumors. Once they pinpoint any underlying cause of the seizures, they can treat that condition accordingly.
Some possible treatments include:
- Insulin therapy for diabetic and hypoglycemic cats
- Tumor removal
- Emergency measures to expel ingested toxins
- IV fluids to treat dehydration and heatstroke
Perhaps your pet becomes disoriented and then starts convulsing. Were they exposed to bright lights or loud sounds when the symptoms began? Take note of these triggers and adjust the animal’s environment.
Cats with epilepsy are prone to seizures at random. The best way to treat this condition is with anti-seizure medications to reduce convulsions. Your vet can prescribe the correct medication, show you how to administer it, and adjust the dosage as needed.
Will Seizures Be a Normal Part of Your Cat’s Life?
Some cats experience frequent seizures due to epilepsy, intracranial pressure, or other neurological disorders. The only way to tell if your cat will be affected long-term is by properly diagnosing the underlying cause.
For example, if your playful kitten accidentally ingests a toxic liquid, it may cause a generalized seizure. Once the toxins are out of their system, they may be perfectly healthy and not at risk for any more episodes. On the other hand, a feline with epilepsy could require anti-seizure medication and routine monitoring for the rest of their life.
As long as you know what to do if your cat has a seizure, you can prevent their health from deteriorating.
Bring Your Cat to Hudson Animal Hospital for Superior Veterinary Care
Knowing what to do if your cat has a seizure can make a huge difference in your kitty’s health and help you navigate the situation without panicking. At Hudson Animal Hospital, we’re committed to helping felines and their owners overcome common veterinary issues.
From administering routine vaccines to addressing health problems in senior cats, we’re your source for top-notch veterinary care. Schedule an appointment at Hudson Animal Hospital by contacting us online or calling (212) 706-4088.