Why would an older cat have a seizure?
What is causing cat seizures in older cats? Cat seizures can be a symptom of many different health problems and the causes are often categorised as intracranial (within the brain) or extracranial (due to disease elsewhere in the body). Examples of intracranial causes include brain inflammation, tumours and trauma.
Can a cat have a random seizure?
These symptoms typically last from one to three minutes. Some cats are prone to seizures after a particular trigger, while some just have these episodes on random occasions. Both environmental factors and brain chemistry factor into a cat’s propensity to suffer from seizures.
What kind of seizures can a cat have?
Cat seizures can take many forms. Generalized or grand mal seizures can include convulsions, limb rigidity or paddling, loss of consciousness, abnormal vocalization and loss of urinary or bowel control. Grand mal seizures can occur alone or in clusters and typically last a minute or two.
What happens when a senior cat gets confused?
You’ve probably already noticed an increase in catnaps, another indication that your cat is getting a little older. Like most senior animals, aging cats can develop dementia, and from this point on, your cat is at increased risk. It is harder for him to learn new things and adjust to change now, and he may get confused more easily.
What happens to a cat’s temper as he ages?
Even if he has been an angel his entire life and never scratched a soul, his temper will be shorter. If you have other animals in the household, you may notice them all undergoing behavioral changes. This is because animals develop a natural pecking order, and as your cat ages, his place in that order may change.
What happens to older cats as they age?
That process will only continue and become more noticeable as he ages. Older cats frequently develop arthritis in their joints, making it harder to jump up on the back of the couch, climb the cat condo or get into and out of the litterbox.
Cat seizures can take many forms. Generalized or grand mal seizures can include convulsions, limb rigidity or paddling, loss of consciousness, abnormal vocalization and loss of urinary or bowel control. Grand mal seizures can occur alone or in clusters and typically last a minute or two.
Can a cat be diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy?
In cats with idiopathic epilepsy, no abnormality will be detected in these tests: this is known as a “diagnosis of exclusion” for this reason. An accurate diagnosis of the cause of seizures is essential when deciding on treatment. Most affected cats will show most of these six signs during a seizure.
Can a flea and tick spray give a cat a seizure?
If a cat is exposed to toxins such as antifreeze (ethylene glycol), the result is often seizures. Additionally, certain flea and tick medications that are intended for dogs can lead to seizures if they are administered to a cat. Such flea and tick medications, along with shampoos, sprays, and dips, contain an ingredient called pyrethrin.
Can a cat with Vestibular Syndrome go to the vet?
This is a problem with the balance mechanism in the inner ear and leads to the symptoms you describe. A vet needs to check the cat’s ears for signs of infection and start appropriate treatment. Cats with vestibular syndrome usually do well although some are left with a permanent head tilt.