Feline Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder involving recurrent seizural activity. A seizure is an uncontrolled outburst of convulsive movements. Although the disorder originates in the brain, it can be precipitated by trauma (acquired epilepsy) as well as by an abnormality in brain activity (idiopathic epilepsy). Idiopathic epilepsy is far less common in cats than it is in dogs and is believed to have a genetic component.
Causes of Feline Epilepsy
Epilepsy may be caused by a congenital abnormality in the brain or by a brain tumor. Most often, however, feline seizures are the result of traumatic brain injury or acute poisoning. It is possible for the cat to experience a seizure at the time of an accident, but it is more likely that a seizure will occur weeks later, after scar tissue has formed on the brain.
While poisoning is the most common cause of feline seizures, one such seizure is not considered true epilepsy. Seizures caused by poisoning are usually the result of ingestion of antifreeze, strychnine, lead, chocolate or insecticides.
Other causes of feline seizures are brain tumors, fevers or hyperthermia, and underlying disease conditions.
Symptoms of Feline Epilepsy
Symptoms of feline epilepsy can be divided into typical and atypical. It is important to recognize that atypical symptoms, though less recognizable by the average person, may still be evidence of the condition.
Typical Symptoms
Typical seizures involve the following symptoms:
- Teeth grinding or chewing
- Foaming at the mouth
- Jerking of the legs
- Sudden urination or defecation
- Collapse
These alarming symptoms of erratic, abnormal behavior are followed by a gradual return to normalcy.
Atypical Symptoms
Some cats do not experience typical convulsions, instead demonstrating other varieties of strange behavior. These atypical symptoms may include:
- Sudden inappropriate rage or agitation
- Excessive licking and chewing of themselves
- Unprovoked scratching or biting of their owner or another animal
These unusual manifestations of epilepsy are known as psychomotor seizures.
Diagnosis of Feline Epilepsy
In order for feline epilepsy to be diagnosed, the cat must have experienced similar, recurrent episodes, so reported incidents will be carefully noted by the veterinarian. In addition to a full medical examination, the doctor will most likely order blood chemistries, a neurological examination and a diagnostic imaging of the brain, such as an MRI or CT scan.
Some conditions can be mistaken for epilepsy and so must be ruled out in order to diagnose seizural disease. These include
- Bee stings
- Fainting due to lung or heart disease
- Kidney or liver failure
- Narcolepsy-cataplexy
- Stroke
- Metabolic disorders, like diabetes
While the cat owner may mistake erratic behavior or collapse from another cause for epilepsy, the veterinarian will be able to make an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment of Feline Epilepsy
The best approach to take while a cat is having a seizure is to remain as calm as possible, cover the animal with a blanket and simply wait out the attack. Contrary to popular misconception, the cat is not in danger of swallowing its tongue, and putting fingers into the convulsing cat's mouth can result in being badly bitten. A cat that has had a seizure should be promptly examined by a veterinarian. If a cat has more than one seizure in a short period of time, it is a medical emergency.
In order to treat feline seizures, the underlying cause should be treated or eliminated wherever possible. For idiopathic epilepsy, anticonvulsant medications are prescribed. These medications include phenobarbital, diazepam (Valium) and potassium bromide. Of these, phenobarbital is usually the first choice, but it may not always be effective. Diazepam, while quite effective, may sometimes result in liver damage. Potassium bromide is used at times where the other two medications are ineffective or causing dangerous side effects.
Whichever anticonvulsant preparation is used to treat feline epilepsy, the dosage must be carefully monitored since dosage adjustments often have to be made. It is important that a cat with epilepsy be fed a well-balanced diet containing appropriate amounts of taurine, an amino acid. There is anecdotal evidence that taurine, given as a nutritional supplement, is helpful in controlling epilepsy.