Seizures

A seizure is a temporary surge of abnormal activity in the brain. In a cat it can look like falling over, stiffening, paddling or shaking of the legs, jaw chomping, drooling, loss of bladder control and loss of awareness. Smaller seizures may show only twitching of the face, staring or odd behavior, such as sudden fear or frantic licking. Afterward a cat may be dazed, wobbly or hungry for a while.

Seizures are a sign, not a disease. In cats, they more often come from a cause outside the brain or a structural problem in it than in dogs. Possible causes include high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, low blood sugar, toxins and poisons, infections such as FIP, head injury, tumors and, less often, inherited epilepsy.

During a seizure keep your hands away from the mouth, since cats do not swallow their tongues and can bite. Move hazards away, dim the lights and note when it started and how long it lasts. Call a vet for any first seizure. Go to an emergency clinic at once if it lasts more than a few minutes, if one follows another, or if the cat does not recover. A video helps the vet. Tests usually include blood work and blood pressure. Ask your vet about long-term treatment.