Cat Convulsion

Convulsions are temporary disturbancesof electrical activity in the brain that lead to aloss of control of all the cat's skeletal muscles. A severe or lengthy convulsion does not necessarily indicate a serious underlying disease.

The aura, or preseizure period, may last from a few seconds to hours. Your cat may bestaring, licking its lips, twitching, getting restless or nervous, salivating, hiding, wandering,or displaying more affection toward you - all are common preseizure behaviors.

The signs of a generalized seizure are an inability to stand, a loss of consciousness, aloss of bowel and/or urine control, and violent muscle spasms. The cat's body may stiffen and twitch, a frothy saliva may appear, and the eyesmay jerk back and forth. After a seizure, the cat will be confused and appear blind and unresponsive, while at the same time salivating heavily and pacing back and forth.

Cat Convulsion Home Remedies

Try to hold the cat downgently with a blanket. If you can't do so, clearthe area of objects that may injure your pet. Stay calm watching a seizure can be a frightening experience, but most seizures are not life threatening. Your pet may have a few seizures in a row. If there is a high fever greater than 106 °F an ice water bath will help lowerthe fever. Ice packs placed on the inner thighs and under the front legs are also helpful.

After the convulsion, calmly and quietly pet your cat and reassure it with your presence. Keep lights and noise to a minimum, because the brain is very sensitive. Seek veterinary aid as soon as you can.

Cat Convulsion Treatment

Intravenous injections of anticonvulsants and thiamine will be given if the seizures havenot stopped. The veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination and will probably suggest hospitalization.

In veterinary medicine, a good history is very important for diagnosis - especially ifyour pet has had a seizure, because several serious diseases could be indicated: feline infectious peritonitis, toxoplasmosis, lymphosarcoma (leukemia), thiamine deficiency, cardiomyopathy, and epilepsy (which has noknown cause) can all bring on convulsions. Another cause of seizures in cats is low blood calcium, which can be seen in a pregnant ornursing mother cat. Many household chemicals, if ingested, will cause seizures. Finally, if your cat had ahead injury followed by unconsciousness within the last two years, this could also be a factor.

Tests may be necessary to diagnose the cause of the seizures. Your veterinarian may recommend several of the following:

1.Blood count (infection, lead poisoning)

2.BUN and creatinine (kidney disease)

3.Urinalysis (kidney, liver disease)

4.Blood sugar test (low blood sugar,hypoglycemia)

5.Blood calcium test

6.Liver function blood tests (liver disease)

7.HP, FLV, FTLV, and toxoplasmosistests

8.Electrocardiogram, spinal taps, specialized X-rays, CAT scans,and electroencephalograms are required, they're usually done at referral hospitals or universities.

Medication can control convulsions, but may be necessary to try various doses and dozen combinations of drugs, so you must be patient. No medication is needed if your cat as only one seizure and the cause is not determined. Occasionally, your veterinarian may lot be able to regulate the animal. You should then be referred to a veterinary neurologists.

Prevention

Keep toxins containing lead, organophosphates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and strychnine away from your cat.

Do not feed your cat raw fish. It contains thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine (vitamin B,). Thiamine is needed for nor-mal nervous system functioning.

Keep anti freeze away from your cat. A few drops can cause seizures, kidney damage, anddeath.