Epilepsy with Cats

Epilepsy is a disease than can occur with breedless and pure breed cats. It is a disorder of recurring seizures, sometimes it’s only a part of the body, but it can also be the entire body. And sometimes they can lose consciousness. It’s not the same as with humans.

A milder expression of epilepsy can only last a few minutes, like shaking with the head. All this has to do with the discharge of the brains. With a ‘bigger attack’ the brains will discharge with a particular rhythm. Which makes the ‘attack’ more extreme, and affects multiple body functions. When only a part of the brains discharge, It’s only a part of the body that is having a seizure. This can be sometimes like a trembling paw.

Epilepsy is a symptom of an underlying problem. Is the problem is known, then we’re talking about a secundary epilepsy (or symptomatic). If the problem is unknown, it’s called a primary epilepsy (or idiopathic). A vet will try to find the problem that is causing the attacks. And it can be anything. A tumor, meningitis or diabetes. Often the vet will do a blood value test first, followed by a physical and neurologic exam performed by your veterinarian, a panel of laboratory tests are run, and sometimes x-rays (radiographs) are taken.

With a primary epilepsy, the vet will prescribe an anticonvulsants so the seizures will be less extreme and less frequent. Epilepsy can’t be cured. TREATMENT IS NEVER CURATIVE. The goal is to decrease the frequency, severity, and duration of the seizures.

Types of Seizures
Partial seizures affect only a small part or one side of the body. These are often caused by a brain lesion.

Generalized seizures affect the body and can be divided into two types, grand mal and petit mal.

Grand mal seizures are the most common. A cat experiencing a grand mal seizure usually falls on her side and has uncontrollable muscle activity such as kicking her legs as if swimming or paddling. Salivation is profuse and often the cat involuntarily urinates and defecates. The cat is unaware of you, her surroundings, or her own actions.

Petit mal seizures do not result in convulsions, but the animal loses consciousness. It may look like the cat just collapsed.

The worst form of seizure is one in which the cat has one or more grand mal episodes without recovering from the first. This cat may actually be in a seizure for hours. This is termed ‘Status Epilepticus’ and is usually referred to simply as ‘Status’. Seizures by themselves are not life threatening unless they progress into Status, in which case medical attention should be sought immediately.

Phases
If you observe your cat closely, you can recognize three phases to a seizure.

Pre-Seizure Phase
The pre-seizure phase is commonly called the aura. Your cat may seem restless, pace, seek affection, salivate, meow, or hide. These signs occur just minutes before the actual seizure begins.

Ictus
The seizure itself is called ictus. Your cat may seem excited, vomit, salivate, run in circles, collapse, and have uncoördinated muscle activity. This stage generally lasts less than 5 minutes.

Post-Ictal Phase
After the seizure, the recovery (post-ictal) period begins. Your cat may seem disoriented, uncoördinated, and occasionally blind (temporary). This may last several minutes to days.

Most cats will feel the seizure coming and seek their owner for comfort. When your cat is having a seizure, comforting has no use as he is unaware of his surroundings. It’s a better idea to be there and comfort your can when he is recovering.

Causes

• 
  Congenital defects


• Blood glucose levels that are too high (e.g.; diabetes mellitus or too low (hypoglycemia)


• Low oxygen levels in the blood that could be caused by anemia, heart problems, or difficulties with breathing


• Kidney disorders


• Liver disorders


• Infections


• Brain tumors


• Toxins, like antifreeze, lead, or chocolate


• Fevers and hyperthermia
  


• Brain damage resulting from trauma or poor blood flow to the brain


• Certain medications


• Primary or idiopathic epilepsy

The Difference Between epilepsy and Seizures
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder and one of its symptoms is repeated seizure. You will sometimes see epilepsy divided into idiopathic, or primary, epilepsy; and symptomatic, or secondary, epilepsy. Idiopathic epilepsy is the term used for seizures that seem to have no other cause. Symptomatic epilepsy refers to seizures caused by an underlying condition.

Seizure is defined in medical term as a sudden attack of an illness, usually an intense rush of emotion. They range from unusual mood swings to uncontrollable thrashing and loss of body control, are symptoms of a disease. Causes of seizures include infections, tumors, toxic chemicals, and epilepsy. Most seizures in cats have a cause other than epilepsy. It’s most useful to think of epilepsy as a word for seizures for which no other cause has been found.

What To Do When My Cat Has A Seizure?

• Remain calm.


• Do not put your hand in your cat’s mouth. This will not help your cat and you may be bitten. (Contrary to popular belief, a cat will not swallow his tongue.)


• To prevent injury to your cat, remove nearby sharp or hard objects (e.g.; tables and chairs).


• If the cat is on a couch or human bed, lower the cat to the floor, if it can be done safely. This will avoid any injury from falls.


• Remove children and other pets from the area.


• Observe your cat closely. Call your veterinarian if the seizure lasts more than 3 minutes, or if your cat has one seizure right after another. Severe and long seizures are a medical emergency and can be fatal.

Resource
canine-epilepsy.com
peteducation.com

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