Epilepsy in cats: symptoms and treatment

Epilepsy (Latin name caduca) is a neurotic disorder characterized by a predisposition to sudden seizures. The condition is purely functional; no organic changes in nerve tissue occur. While the predisposition to seizures is not breed-specific, it is much less common in male cats than in female cats. If you have a feline at home, it's helpful to know the main symptoms of epilepsy and what to do if your cat has a seizure.

Types of epilepsy

Depending on the cause, epilepsy is classified as primary or secondary. Primary (congenital) or idiopathic epilepsy is considered a genetic disorder and typically appears in cats between five and six months of age. In this case, the animal shows no abnormalities in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid, and other than occasional convulsions, the cat's condition remains normal.

If your pet's first seizure occurs in adulthood, it's most likely secondary (acquired) epilepsy. It can be caused by a variety of factors:

• head injury;
• viral infections;
• poisoning with drugs or household chemicals;
• severe stress;
• an inflammatory process affecting brain structures;
• diseases accompanied by hypoxia (oxygen starvation) or hypoglycemia (decreased glucose concentration in the blood);
• brain tumor;
• constant strong external stimuli - bright light, loud sounds (for example, older cats react painfully to high-frequency sounds).

Symptoms

An epileptic seizure in a cat lasts from 3 to 40 minutes and usually occurs in several stages, which are usually called phases.

The Harbinger Phase

The animal becomes restless and timid, its muscles begin to twitch slightly, and its gait becomes unsteady. This stage is relatively short and therefore sometimes goes unnoticed.

Convulsive phase

The main stage, the symptoms of which, depending on the severity of the attack, may include:

• convulsive contractions of muscles throughout the body;
• twitching of paws;
• inability to maintain an upright position;
• intermittent, wheezing breathing;
• increased heart rate;
• secretion of foamy saliva;
• uncontrolled urination and defecation;
• loss of consciousness.

Recovery phase

The period lasts approximately 5 minutes and is characterized by general weakness, disorientation, and prostration.

The frequency of epileptic seizures in cats can vary: from several times a day to once every few months. If seizures recur over a long period, the animal may die due to irreversible pathological changes in brain structures caused by oxygen deprivation.

Urgent actions

To prevent your cat from injuring itself during seizures, when the first symptoms of an epileptic seizure appear, it should be placed on its side, ensuring there are no sharp or hard objects nearby that could injure it, remove bright light, and eliminate loud noises.

Caution! Do not restrain the animal by pinning it to the floor; this will not alleviate its condition. Don't worry about the cat's tongue retracting and obstructing its airway during a seizure; this won't happen if the cat is lying on its side.

After the seizure, it's recommended to provide the animal with a calm environment to allow it to recover. Some cats experience increased appetite and thirst during this period, so the owner should ensure their pet's food and water bowl are not empty.

Diagnostics

One of the important factors in diagnosing epilepsy in cats is determining the cause of the condition, especially if it develops in adulthood. The owner of a cat with epilepsy is advised to provide a detailed description of the seizure during the first visit to the veterinarian: its frequency, duration, and nature, its dependence on weather conditions or medication, etc. It is also advisable to have a video recording of the seizure; this will help the veterinarian better guide the diagnosis.

Laboratory and imaging tests used to diagnose epilepsy in cats include complete blood counts, biochemical blood tests, serological tests for toxoplasmosis and listeriosis, and a urinalysis. If necessary, diagnostic imaging tests may be prescribed, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Treatment

If epileptic seizures occur against the background of diseases (for example, hemolytic uremic syndrome, diabetes mellitus(eg, hypoglycemia, or hypocalcemia), treating the underlying condition will guarantee relief from seizures. If the triggering factors are external factors (bright light, very loud sounds, stress), eliminating these irritants can lead to sustained remission, or even complete recovery.

Medication for epilepsy aims to relieve seizures and reduce nervous system excitability. Anticonvulsant therapy is usually prescribed for a long period, ranging from several months to a year. If seizures are not recurring during this period, the dosage is gradually reduced until the medication is discontinued completely. In true (congenital) epilepsy, in most cases, cats must take seizure prevention medications for life.

The following antiepileptic drugs are used in veterinary medicine:

• Phenobarbital.
• Diazepam.
• Gabapentin.
• Levetiracetam.
• Zonisamide.
• Pregabalin.

These medications are affordable, relatively safe, and generally well-tolerated. They effectively relieve seizures and reduce the likelihood of recurrent seizures. Possible side effects include weakness, drowsiness, impaired coordination, and sometimes loss of appetite.

To relieve refractory seizures (those that don't respond well to anticonvulsants), a veterinarian may prescribe potassium bromide as an additional treatment. Treatment for epilepsy also typically includes vitamin therapy, taking antioxidants and mineral supplements. These medications improve the nervous system, help protect brain structures from damage, and enhance the effectiveness of medications. Vitamins A, E, C, and B vitamins are commonly prescribed, as well as supplements containing calcium, selenium, and magnesium.

If a cat's epileptic seizures are infrequent and last only seconds, a veterinarian may decide to withhold medication. This is because cats are highly sensitive to the side effects of medications, and the harm from the medication may outweigh the benefits.

This is important! Antiepileptic medications are prescribed by a veterinarian and are selected individually, taking into account the specifics of the disease and the overall condition of the cat. By attempting to independently select the medication and dosage, the cat owner risks the health, and even the life, of the animal.

Epilepsy is not a life sentence for a cat, and even if a cat's seizures cannot be completely cured, there is always a chance to reduce their frequency, duration, and severity. With a proper diagnosis and adequate treatment, your pet's life will not be shortened and will suffer only a small loss of comfort. However, this requires that the cat's owners strictly follow all treatment instructions.

Read also:

• Asthma in Cats: Symptoms and Treatment
• Why does a cat cough?
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