Symptoms of Cat Seizures: What to Look Out For

Section 1: Symptoms of Feline Seizures During an Episode

1. Generalized Seizures

When a cat experiences a generalized seizure, the entire body of the feline enters a state of collapse. The cat may lose consciousness, experience violent tremors in its limbs, facial twitches, or persistent chewing. It is also common for cats to drool and experience incontinence of urine and feces during these episodes.

Seizures in cats typically last for about 13 minutes. However, the time it takes for the cat to recover can vary greatly, from a few seconds to several hours. During the recovery period, the cat may appear dazed or have blurred vision.

It is crucial for owners to be aware that if a seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes or if there are multiple seizures in a short period, this is a serious situation. It is essential to keep a record of the seizure and seek veterinary attention immediately if the seizure is prolonged, and to transport the cat to the hospital promptly.

2. Partial Seizures

Partial seizures in cats affect only a part of the body and can be challenging to identify. Symptoms may include drooling, rolling eyes, facial twitches, howling, or even just abnormal stiffness in the head and neck, along with tremors in the limbs. Sometimes, these can progress to generalized seizures.

Section 2: What to Do During a Cat Seizure

Cats are unconscious during a seizure and their behavior is uncontrolled. This means that anyone, including the owner, who attempts to approach the cat risks being scratched. Therefore, during a seizure, it is important not to touch the cat. Here's what you can do instead:

1. Observe the cat's location during the seizure. If there are any obstacles or hard objects nearby, remove them to prevent injury from collision or falling. Additionally, dim the lights or draw the curtains to create a dark and quiet environment.

2. Stay with the cat quietly. Use a notebook or an electronic device to record the time and duration of the seizure. Most seizures resolve within 13 minutes. Even though a seizure may take several hours to fully recover from, brief seizures are usually mild and may not require medication. However, if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or recurs within minutes, this is a severe situation. If the seizure duration is prolonged, it is important to take the cat to a veterinary hospital immediately. While it is not advisable to pick up the cat, you can wrap the cat in a blanket or a large towel to protect yourself from scratches and to help keep the cat calm.

Section 3: When to Seek Treatment

Cats that have an occasional seizure or a shortlived episode may not require treatment. However, if the cat exhibits any of the following conditions, it is advisable to seek medical attention:

1. Multiple seizures within a month.

2. Frequent or prolonged seizures.

3. A recent head injury prior to the seizure.

4. High frequency or severe symptoms of epilepsy.

That's all for now from Oxygen Pet Doctor on the signs and management of feline seizures. We hope that all owners take note of these seizure management practices and provide the best assistance to help their cats through these difficult moments. After the seizure, it is important to comfort the cat and help it stabilize its emotions, returning to normal as quickly as possible. For more information on treating epilepsy in cats, you can click on "Why Do Cats Have Seizures? How to Treat Them?"