Epilepsy in cats: causes, symptoms, treatment

Not every owner of a cat can imagine that their pet, as some people may be sick with epilepsy. However, according to doctors, this disease among cats lately more and more often. However, many people pay attention to the strange behavior of his “fluffy”, but to explain it can't. They not occur that the animal is suffering from this terrible disease.

In this article we will talk about what it looks like epilepsy in cats. Symptoms, treatment and prevention of this disease also will not remain without attention.

What is epilepsy

Immediately it should be said that this disease is not infectious. Its causes can be very diverse. Often, noticing the strange behavior of the cat owner may think that the animal plays the fool, and not to attach importance to this. But in vain...

Epilepsy in cats (symptoms, treatment, we will consider below) — this is a special kind of brain disorder that can be recognized by seizures and convulsions, lasting for a short time. This disease can occur not only in cats, he is exposed to other animals, and, of course, people. Sometimes the condition is caused by abnormalities in the brain, and sometimes there are other reasons.

As a rule, the diagnosis of "epilepsy" is when the seizures and convulsions are repeated with some regularity.

Terms

To better understand the disease, let us define some terms related to him:

• Prodroma phase — this is the period when the animal's behavior appears anxiety and nervousness; the cat appears irresistible need to move, and she begins to uncontrollably running around the house;
• Postictally phase — time after convulsions; during this period the cat may be lethargic, show signs of depression; may also disturb attacks “wolf” of appetite, a certain excitement; this phase can last from 24 to 48 hours;
• Attack — themselves seizures; observed the twitching of limbs, convulsions, loss of control over physiological functions of the body, a strong deflection in the spine; this condition usually lasts for 1–3 minutes;
• Partial seizure — covers not the whole organism, but only certain groups of muscles; can manifest in the form of uncontrollable aggression, attempts to bite non-existing item tremor of the tail or paws.

Types of disease

First of all, you need to understand what it is epilepsy in cats, treatment will depend on this. Experts share all the attacks into two main types:

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• Current;
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The language of medicine, they are called a bit different: idiopathic and symptomatic.

This epilepsy is quite difficult to diagnosis, to determine the true cause can be very difficult. Many doctors are inclined to believe that is to blame genetic brain abnormalities or birth defects in kittens. The disease manifests itself already at a very early age, virtually untreatable, chasing a cat all his life, and over time, the duration and severity of attacks increases. The treatment of this epilepsy is very long and complex. In some severe cases, to end the suffering of the animal, even offering to put him to sleep.

Unlike the previous version about epilepsy is acquired character. In this case, the symptoms are often the result of other diseases or head trauma. And from the moment of injury until the first symptoms may take quite a long time, the owners may not suspect that their cat is in danger.

Symptoms

What is epilepsy in cats? The symptoms of this disease is quite eloquent. Often a harbinger of the attack is complete immobility. The animal as it freezes, look rushes at one point, there is a loss of orientation, the cat does not react to external stimuli.

When it starts the attack, the animal falls and starts to twitch in a fit, squirming and bend backwards. There are cramps, numbness in the body, possible partial cessation of breathing, paws stretched. During an attack can happen involuntary emptying of the bowel or bladder, the cat, these processes have no control over. The jaw of the animal is constantly moving, like eating, and legs twitch, pretending to run. The mouth of the animal can leave a white foam. If she's not white, and pink — that means your pet hurt his tongue or cheeks and he's bleeding.

This condition may last from several seconds to several minutes. After the seizure, the cat becomes lethargic, breathing heavily and a long time coming to. Sometimes after a seizure, the animal may lose sight and hearing for a few hours.

Causes

Why epilepsy occurs in cats? The reasons can be very diverse. As already mentioned, the epilepsy may be a symptom of other diseases and can be congenital, caused by genetic modifications.

To Establish the cause of the disease and to help the animal yourself is impossible. There is important and timely expert advice.If you go to the vet in time, it is possible to identify the cause of disease and alleviate the condition of the animal.

In order to properly diagnose the source of the disease, you need to pass some tests and make special tests. If it turns out that epilepsy is false, then you need to treat the underlying disease, the seizures eventually will themselves. Harder when diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy — then the animal will need constant care and assistance of the host throughout life.

Diagnostics

Even If you know how to treat epilepsy in cats, it does not mean that you can do it by yourself. To correct diagnosis, little only to see the attack and realize that he fits the pattern described above. Everything is much more complicated. To make sure the diagnosis is correct, the doctor should prescribe your pet a blood chemistry, ultrasound of abdominal organs, MRI or CT scan, EEG, chest x-ray.

Only after receiving the results of the maximum number of studies, and after hearing your detailed description, and better seeing the video of the attack, the doctor can understand the true cause of the disease and prescribe adequate treatment.

Some cats are predisposed to epilepsy

A “cosculluela” would like to know whether epilepsy in cats the breed of the animal or any other characteristics. To date not fixed the connection between the breed of the animal and the frequency of disease. But the connection between epilepsy and floor of the animal is. Found that cats suffer this terrible affliction most cats.

If the disease is congenital in nature, the first seizures usually occur in the period of puberty of the animal. Epilepsy if false, then any temporal relationship very difficult to establish. Although epilepsy and inherited, it does not always happen from mother to children. Sometimes the disease is manifested in the second, and even third generation. So if you are breeding cats, regardless of the form of the disease the animal should be excluded from the “tribe”.

When to start treatment

To initiate the treatment correctly and in time, it is necessary to count and record the seizures of epilepsy in cats. Treatment depends on how often they happen.

If epileptic seizures in your pet occur no more than one or two times a year, while the animal is not suffering from any concomitant disease, the treatment to give is not worth it. Your task — to carefully observe the pet and to try to reduce the risk of injury to the minimum limit.

If seizures recur once a month and more often the animal needs to be treated special antisodomy drugs. Don't forget that they should appoint a doctor. Incorrectly selected drug will increase the severity and duration of attacks. Exact observance of the doctor's recommendations, proper care will reduce the frequency of attacks and easing the condition of the animal.

Tips veterinary neurologist

Epilepsy in cats — the disease is not too studied. However, you can help the doctor to properly determine the type of the disease. To help the doctor, try to think in advance the answers to the following questions:

1. When he had his first seizure and when they became more and more?
2. What is the regularity of the attacks?
3. Whether they Are spontaneous (irregular) or regular?
4. Have you ever Noticed the connection between the attack and feeding, sleep, arousal, or other events?
5. Are There any other symptoms: increased thirst, poor appetite or other?
6. Have you Given the animal any food additives, medications?
7. Were there any cases of falling from height, other injuries?
8. Does this ever cause poisoning or contact with poisons?

The Answers to these and other questions will help the doctor to correctly identify the etiology of the disease and prescribe adequate treatment.

Epilepsy in cats: treatment drugs

As has been said, directly to treat epilepsy only in the case where it is the primary disease. If it is false, then first of all you need treat the underlying disease, the seizures are likely to take place by themselves.

So, epilepsy in cats — treatment. How to stop the attacks and ease the condition of the animal? For treatment of primary epilepsy often use such preparaty:

• "Pregabalin";
• "Phenobarbital";
• "Gabapentin";
• "Levetiracetam";
• "Zonisamide" and others.

It is worth to say that most often the treatment is lifelong and is carried out strictly under the supervision of a physician. Even if the attacks do not occur for a long time and you think the animal is completely cool, in any case, do not stop giving the tablets. Such actions may cause “seizures cancel”.

The Treatment is considered successful if the frequency of seizures, the animal fell at least twice and side effects are minimal or non-existent.

It is Very important during treatment, keep a special diary in which to describe in detail everything that happened seizures: date, time, duration, severity of exactly how the attack proceeded, was convulsions, respiratory arrest and so on. Such records are very helpful to adjust the treatment. Ifpositive results the treatment brings, we need to adjust. Maybe used the wrong dose of the medication, or the body of the animal appeared to be resistant to specific anti-epileptic funds.

If the seizure of the animal was absent during the year, your doctor may start the elimination of the drug, gradually reducing the dosage. To drop treatment impossible — epilepsy may return.

Establish whether the disease is life pet

In Time and correctly diagnosed epilepsy in cats, correctly chosen treatment and adequate care — a guarantee that the disease will not bring irreversible damage.

Danger to the life of the animal occurs in the case when diagnosed with epileptic status. It's a long series of seizures between which the cat loses consciousness. It is very important to immediately refer the pet to the doctor. Each such attack may lead to serious brain damage, fatal heart attacks and asphyxiation (strangulation).

If the epilepsy in cats is a symptom of other diseases such as brain cancer, it all depends on how it affects latest on the animal. Here the life of a pet rather depends on the complexity of the underlying disease and its stage.

What to do owner

The success of the treatment and safety of the animal largely depends on what assists him master. In order to facilitate the attack of epilepsy in cats, you need to:

• Carefully observe the behavior of the pet; in the apparent approach of a seizure need to move the cat on the floor in a warm room and dim the lights;
• Hand should be raised slightly and hold the head of the animal so that the cat wouldn't Bang it on the floor;
• You do not need to unclench the jaw, if the animal is not suffocated;
• If you see a frothing at the mouth, insert the tip of a teaspoon between the front teeth and gently hold it there so that the animal did not bite off his tongue;
• In no case can not stick your fingers into the mouth of the animal, to catch the language and try to pull it out; if the cat is lying on a flat surface, the tongue will not fall and she can't suffocate;
• It is also impossible to pin animal to floor or to your body — it binds the movements of the animal and increases the attack;
• Get a special notebook and write down all the nuances of each attack;
• At least once a year to carry out a full examination of the animal;
• Feed the cat only dry food, specifically designed for animals-epileptics;
• Try to protect the animal from stress, in any case not beat him and not cry, even if the cat was guilty.

Prevention of epilepsy

Of Course, genetic epilepsy preventive measures are not expected to have any impact, because the condition is from birth. But epilepsy symptomatic you can try to prevent.
For this you need to carefully watch your pet and stick to a few rules:

• Regular blood tests of blood, urine;
• To monitor blood sugar, check the kidneys and liver;
• To prevent colds and infectious diseases;
• To avoid possible contact with poisonous substances, toxins;
• To prevent overheating or overcooling of the animal;
• To avoid injury, jumps or falls from a great height, such as from Cabinet or balcony
• Not to be zealous with the use of different biological additives that are not prescribed by a doctor;
• To give any medications, including pills for worms, only as directed by your veterinarian.