A cat has a seizure in the form of epilepsy. What to do if your cat develops epilepsy? Emergency call to the veterinarian

Unfortunately, pets are subject to the same dangerous diseases, as people do. Including diseases of a neurotic nature (neuroses). And although in veterinary practice Epilepsy in cats is not diagnosed as often as in dogs; owners of purring cats may encounter a similar pathology.

The disease is so unpredictable that it can take both the owner and the animal by surprise. In addition, epileptic seizures are observed in completely healthy cats.

Epilepsy is a neurological disease that is characterized by short-term recurrent epileptic seizures, indicating functional brain damage.

Types of pathology

Congenital(idiopathic) – epilepsy developing against the background of various genetic pathologies, structural changes in the brain due to birth injuries. Most often, convulsions in cats occur in stressful situations.

Purchased(symptomatic) – the cause of spontaneous, periodically manifested epileptic seizures can be head injuries, dysfunction of the nervous system, chronic diseases, poisoning, bacterial, viral infections. This form of the disease is called false epilepsy.

Causes of epilepsy

The development of epilepsy can be caused by various reasons, and in most cases it is not always possible to establish the exact root cause of the disease. Convulsions can be provoked as serious pathological disorders in the brain (intracranial) and outside the brain (extracranial). For example, extracranial seizures manifest themselves as a reactive reaction of the cat’s body to severe poisoning toxins, sharp increase blood glucose concentrations, metabolic disorders.

TO possible reasons epilepsy may include:

• traumatic brain injuries, brain infections (meningitis);
• genetic, breed predisposition;
• neoplasms (tumors) in the brain;
• poisoning with potent chemicals, toxins, gases;
• deficiency in animals fat-soluble vitamins(A, E), vitamin D, essential amino acids(taurine);
• insufficient intake of calcium, magnesium, zinc, magnesium from feed;
• frequent stressful situations, prolonged fasting;
• long-term use medicines;
• bacterial, viral infectious diseases (plague, rabies, Aujeszky's disease) affecting the central nervous system.

Epilepsy attacks can also be caused by diseases occurring in chronic form: heart pathologies, coronary disease, renal failure, liver dysfunction.

With regard to breed predisposition, age, gender, epilepsy attacks are most often diagnosed in exotic cats, Persian cats, Abyssinian breed. For unknown reasons, male cats are more susceptible to epilepsy than females. In this case, the first signs of the disease may appear in early age, during puberty.

Symptoms of epilepsy in cats

Main clinical signs epilepsy in cats are convulsive convulsions, which vary in intensity, frequency of manifestation, and severity. Some animals experience epileptic seizures once a week, while other animals experience epileptic seizures once every few months. The duration of the attack ranges from several seconds to several minutes.

The manifestation of epileptic seizures at an early age in most cases indicates congenital form epilepsy. If convulsions first appeared in older animals, epilepsy is symptomatic. In this case, it is necessary to begin treatment as quickly as possible, establishing the root cause.

Epileptic seizures

Epileptic seizures in cats are classified into:

• generalized
• partial

Generalized seizures of epilepsy are characterized by: collapse, sudden loss consciousness, strong muscle spasms, convulsions, shaking paws, twitching of the muzzle, involuntary salivation (salivation), defecation, urination, dilated pupils. An attack usually lasts from one to three to four minutes. The attack is preceded by behavioral changes: the cat may show restlessness, purr, follow the owner, meow, and rush from side to side. After a seizure, a staggering gait, impaired coordination of movements, disorientation in space, a state of lethargic numbness, and deterioration in visual function are noted. Returning the animal to normal condition, the recovery period can last from several minutes to an hour.

Partial seizures of epilepsy affect the affected part. Convulsive contractions of the facial muscles, spasms of the eyelids, limbs, neck, profuse drooling. Seizures may recur throughout the day.

Diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in cats

Regardless of the frequency or intensity of epileptic seizures, owners should immediately take their pet to a veterinary clinic for diagnostic tests.

To confirm the diagnosis and establish a possible root cause, laboratory (biochemical) tests of blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, ultrasound examination abdominal cavity, cardiogram, veterinary tests. To identify functional disorders in the functioning of the brain, neurological diseases For intracranial causes, a computer scan of the brain and MRI are mandatory.

Epilepsy in cats is not a death sentence, and if you contact a veterinarian in time, effective treatment will be prescribed. Even when diagnosing a congenital idiopathic form, competently selected drug treatment will reduce the intensity and frequency of epileptic seizures. Treatment methods are selected individually in each specific case.

Cats suffering from symptomatic epilepsy are given treatment that targets the underlying cause. If seizures are caused by heart failure, animals are given pacemakers, sedative fees, vasoconstrictor drugs. If the cause of epileptic seizures is chemical poisoning, treatment is aimed at eliminating the intoxication of the body.

Complex therapeutic treatment prescribed if seizures occur more often than once every 20-30 days. Treatment should only take place under the supervision of the attending veterinarian-neurologist. Phenobarbital is commonly used to treat feline epilepsy. It is very important to adhere to the dosage and frequency of anticonvulsant medications prescribed by your veterinarian.

As complementary therapy animals are prescribed vitamin-mineral complexes, sedatives, drugs whose action is aimed at maintaining cerebral circulation.

Animals with epilepsy should receive appropriate care and undergo preventive examinations twice a year. veterinary clinic. Owners may be advised to keep a “diary” in which they should record the date, time, duration of attacks, symptoms, and the condition of the animal before and after the attack. It is equally important to closely monitor the behavior of epileptic cats and pay attention to nutrition. Raw fish should be completely excluded from the diet, jumping from heights should be minimized, and excessive exercise should be avoided. physical activity and stressful situations for animals.

First aid for cats with an epileptic seizure

The first sign usually causes owners to panic. But it is precisely at this moment that you need to pull yourself together and help the animal emergency assistance. Short-term seizures do not pose a threat to the cat's life. But if the attacks are repeated frequently, the duration of the attack is from 5 to 10 minutes, then this condition in veterinary practice is called “status epilepticus.” Prolonged seizures can lead to irreversible consequences in the structures of the brain and even cause fatal outcome. Therefore, you need to act immediately, without wasting a second.

At the time of the seizure the animal is in unconscious, cannot control itself, so to prevent the cat from being injured, it must be laid on its side. Place your palm or thick bedding under the cat's head. It is important that during a seizure the animal does not hit its head on the floor. When carefully securing your pet, do not restrict movements by pressing the cat tightly to the floor or to yourself.

To prevent the cat from biting its tongue, cheek, or lip, you need to insert the tip of a spoon between the teeth. Since the animal lies on its side on a flat surface, there is no need to worry that the cat will bite off its tongue or it will stick inside the larynx. It is strictly forbidden to put your fingers into an animal’s mouth during a seizure or try to “catch” the tongue.

Although epilepsy is extremely rare disease among domestic animals, it nevertheless occurs in cats. This disease is characterized by impaired brain functionality, accompanied by convulsions and seizures, sometimes partial or total loss consciousness. What reasons can cause such a life-threatening disease for a cat?

Causes of epilepsy in cats

In order to understand the nature of epilepsy, you need to know that there are two types of this disease– idiopathic and symptomatic epilepsy. The first type of disease may be a consequence of birth trauma, the result of pathology in the development of the nervous system in a kitten during the prenatal period. In addition, idiopathic epilepsy can be caused by genetic pathology brain.

According to experts, the disease occurs in cats different breeds and ages. But epilepsy in cats is much more common than in cats. The reasons for this gender dependence are not fully understood, but this remains a fact. If the disease is congenital, already in early childhood The first signs may be observed, but most often attacks occur during the cat's puberty.

Symptoms of epilepsy

Epilepsy lasts in three phases.

1. Harbingers.
2. Seizure phase.
3. Recovery phase.

The first phase of the disease is characterized by subtle changes in the cat's behavior. The animal may express anxiety, its head begins to tilt to one side, and causeless muscle twitching is noticeable. This period very often the pet's owners do not notice, while he makes it clear with all his appearance that something wrong is happening to him.

The onset of seizures symbolizes the most severe phase of the disease. The animal tilts sharply and falls, its limbs stretch out in convulsions, and saliva begins to come out of its mouth. Sometimes, in cases of prolonged convulsions, the animal experiences involuntary defecation. The cat's heartbeat is rapid during this period, breathing is hard sometimes accompanied by wheezing.

During the recovery phase, the animal gradually returns to normal. But initially, the cat experiences physical pain from muscle tension after convulsions, tongue bite may occur. During this period, the animal cannot quickly recover from the attack, its mind is clouded. The cat may not recognize the owner and environment, all this can scare her. Gradually the pet begins to come to its senses. At such moments, the cat experiences severe hunger and thirst.

All these phases can proceed according to different patterns, and seizures can have less pronounced features. Sometimes the warning signs do not progress to the second phase, and the attack may go unnoticed. The attacks can be brief and last no more than three minutes, or they can last for half an hour. The frequency may also vary depending on the condition of the animal at that time. It happens that attacks occur several times a day. They can also be very rare - once a year or several years. If your cat's seizures are prolonged and occur too frequently, severe complications, even death.

It is important to know how to behave correctly as an owner during an epileptic attack in a pet. First of all, at the first sign of a possible seizure, it is necessary to place the animal in a safe place so that the pet cannot injure itself during convulsions. Sometimes they try to restrain the cat, believing that this will stop the convulsions. This should not be done under any circumstances. There is also no need to try to put a stick in the animal’s mouth to prevent tongue biting. The lateral position of the pet during an attack will not allow the tongue to fall into the larynx.

Treatment of epilepsy in cats

Treatment is prescribed to the animal after a true diagnosis has been established and the type of disease has been determined. This is important for the purpose adequate treatment. Sometimes, with some types of epilepsy, it is enough to get rid of the causes that cause it - infectious disease, the consequences of injury, poisoning and seizures in the cat will stop. The significance of precursors is also important for diagnosis. Often, attacks can be triggered by a bright flash, a loud rhythmic sound, or even the lunar phase.

In order to understand the dependence on external factors the owner should, if possible, record the possibility of seizures various manifestations harbingers. These records will be very useful to the veterinarian, who, based on them, as well as on the basis of the obtained laboratory research urine and blood will establish a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment. The veterinarian, having ruled out diseases with similar symptoms, will prescribe effective treatment.

It should be noted that there is a chance to cure epilepsy. Much depends on the patience of the owners and the severity of the disease. As a rule, for the treatment of epilepsy in cats, special anticonvulsants are prescribed, which must be used strictly according to the regimen developed by the veterinarian. To improve cerebral circulation, vitamins and microelements are prescribed. In addition, cats that have had at least one epileptic seizure should absolutely not be given raw fish as food.

Epilepsy is rare in cats, but these mammals are also susceptible to these types of seizures. Despite the fact that this is not a disease, but only a symptom of functional disorders in the brain, the owners of such a cat need to know how to behave if the animal begins to have seizures.

What is epilepsy in cats

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain associated with the processes of excitation and inhibition. These disorders are expressed by uncontrolled seizures, which can begin spontaneously and unexpectedly. In some cases, loss of consciousness is possible.

Possible causes of attacks

The exact causes of the disease are still unknown. They can be very different, ranging from genetic predisposition to stress during the first trip to the country. Determining the cause allows you to prescribe treatment and eliminate epileptic seizures or reduce their frequency to almost zero. The main reasons are:

• decreased blood glucose levels;
• hepatic encephalopathy;
• infectious diseases, inflammatory processes that affect the nervous system;
• ingestion of poisons and toxins into the body;
• any head injuries (attacks can begin a week, a month, a year or two after the injury);
• tumors in the brain, both benign and cancerous;
• diseases blood vessels, which can impair blood circulation in the head.

Factors contributing to the development of the disease

There is no actual connection between epilepsy and cat breed, but it has been observed that males are more likely to suffer from such disorders than females.

Epilepsy tends to be transmitted at the genetic level, but not necessarily from parents to kittens.

Epilepsy can be congenital or acquired

Danger to others

The attack itself is not dangerous to others (humans, other animals). But it is worth remembering that during convulsions, a cat can involuntarily injure its owner, so you should not press the pet to the floor or otherwise try to reduce the convulsions.

Features of external manifestation

The disease can be recognized by external signs, which are typical. But only a doctor can make a direct diagnosis.

Forms of the disease

Cats can be diagnosed with congenital or acquired forms of epilepsy. Both forms are characterized by the same symptoms. The only differences are in the time of the first attack:

• with congenital epilepsy, the first seizures may appear at a young age;
• in the case of acquired - at any age, more often after a certain event in the life of the cat.

Congenital or true epilepsy

Another name for congenital epilepsy is idiopathic. This form of the disease is the result of improper development of the animal’s nervous system even before its birth. In this case, the processes of excitation and inhibition that occur in the cerebral cortex are performed incorrectly. There are no pathologies and accompanying illnesses. The most likely reasons are:

• inbreeding;
• chronic infections and intoxication during pregnancy.

Factors that contribute to the development of congenital epilepsy are also identified:

• hormonal imbalances;
• endocrine diseases;
• heredity.

During diagnosis, no abnormalities are detected in urine, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests.

More often trigger mechanism is hormonal surge during puberty.

Acquired or symptomatic

Unfortunately, disturbances in the functioning of the brain can occur at any stage of a cat’s life, which means that no one is immune from epilepsy. The symptomatic form may occur as a result of:

• traumatic brain injury;
• the appearance of various tumors in the brain;
• viral infections (most often the development of epilepsy is promoted by plague and rabies);
• lack of nutrition of B vitamins and vitamin D (they are responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous system), calcium and magnesium;
• poisoning chemicals, medications, gases, toxins of viral or bacterial origin.

Stages of an epileptic seizure

There are three stages of development of an epileptic seizure:

The stages may be erased, the symptoms less pronounced. It all depends on the characteristics of the cat itself.

The duration of the attack is about 3–4 minutes. The frequency of each cat is different, it is difficult to predict when the next seizure will occur. But it is worth remembering that too frequent attacks can lead to death. This is because irreversible changes can occur in the brain due to insufficient oxygen.

Video: grand mal seizure

Diagnosis of epilepsy

During diagnosis, the cause of the development of such a condition is first determined. This is necessary for selection effective scheme treatment. It is important to identify the precursors that provoked the attack (loud sound, stressful situation, moon phase, etc.). To determine this relationship, the following information is timed:

• date of first appearance;
• duration;
• the nature of each attack (are they the same or different, how do they differ);
• frequency of appearance;
• feeding dependence;
• whether there were certain weather events, whether medications were given;
• any other unusual phenomena that do not happen to a cat every day, for example, the first trip to the country.

The doctor will need to provide a video recording of the attack so that the specialist can see exactly what the cat's owners are talking about.

Special studies are also being carried out:

• general and biochemical blood and urine tests to exclude infectious processes in the body and non-infectious processes in the liver and kidneys;
• ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs;

Video: seizures in cats

Emergency call to the veterinarian

Epilepsy is not fatal dangerous condition. The danger lies in the injuries that a cat can receive during an attack, for example, falling out of a window, hitting the leg of a chair, etc. Therefore the main objective actions of the owner - to prevent them.

But there is a concept of status epilepticus, which requires emergency contact with a veterinarian. This condition is characterized by several attacks in a row, between which the animal does not have time to recover. In the absence of veterinary care, each subsequent attack can cause:

• changes in brain tissue that are irreversible;
• asphyxia;
• hypothermia (a decrease in body temperature to a level insufficient to maintain normal functioning organism);
• acidosis (increased acidity);
• heart failure.

You need to call immediately veterinary care, If:

• the duration of the attack is 5 minutes or more;
• the number of seizures has increased;
• the interval between attacks is too short (status epilepticus).

Treatment of epilepsy

During diagnosis, the doctor determines the cause that provoked epilepsy attacks. If this disease, for example, diabetes, then treatment of the root cause is required. If it is not possible to completely cure the animal (and with true epilepsy this is impossible), then the risk of seizures can be reduced to a minimum. This will provide the cat long life without suffering.

Drug treatment

True epilepsy cannot be treated. To reduce the number of attacks, the cat is prescribed Phenobarbital or Diazepam for life.

Phenobarbital belongs to the group anticonvulsants, capable of simultaneously being a stimulator of the nervous system and reducing its excitability. Due to this, the pet's nerves become less sensitive, so that an attack requires a stronger impulse than before.

Phenobarbital is an anticonvulsant drug

On initial stage treatment dose of the drug is 1–2 mg per 1 kg of cat weight. Only a veterinarian can determine the exact dosage based on the research conducted. Phenobarbital should be taken twice a day.

The drug is quickly absorbed into the blood, but after taking it the cat becomes sleepy. This condition will persist for another 4–5 days after the start of treatment, after which the cat will be more active.

One of the disadvantages of the drug is an increased craving for food, which can cause your pet to gain weight, so you will have to follow a diet. Besides this, there are other side effects:

• intoxication in case of liver dysfunction;
• immune-mediated destruction of blood cells with simultaneous deactivation bone marrow, as a result of which new cells are not formed.

Therefore, when treating with Phenobarbital, constant monitoring of the pet’s health is necessary and regular inspection veterinarian This will avoid complications.

Phenobarbital is available in liquid and tablet form

Diazepam helps prevent serial epileptic seizures. The drug is not taken systemically, but only after the next attack. Diazepam helps to weaken the activity of the central nervous system, which reduces the reaction to stimuli.

Daily dose: 1–5 mg. Only a veterinarian can prescribe a more precise dosage, depending on the cat’s reaction to the components of the medicine.

There are two ways to administer the drug:

• orally;
• rectally.

Candles are used directly during an attack. 1 candle can calm an animal for up to 8 hours.

Diazepam should be given to a cat during an attack or immediately after it in order to prevent repeated attacks.

The choice of drugs can only be made by a veterinarian, since both Phenobarbital and Diazepam have many side effects, in particular they destroy liver cells, which can lead to disruption of its functions. Therefore, you first need to weigh all the risks and benefits. If attacks occur less frequently (less than once a month) and last up to 30 seconds, the doctor may refuse to prescribe medications. This is due to big amount side effects, as well as the impossibility of objectively assessing the effectiveness of treatment.

Possibility of treatment with folk remedies

Alternative medicine is ineffective in this case. This is due not only to the impossibility of giving such medications to a pet (it is unlikely that a cat will calmly chew onions or drink any infusions), but also to the fact that herbs are not able to have such a strong effect on the nervous system as to reduce its sensitivity to prevent attacks.

Nutritional Features

There is no scientifically proven evidence that epileptic seizures are related to diet, but it was observed that cats that were on a gluten-free diet stopped having seizures. The fact is that cats are carnivores, which means their stomachs are not designed to digest gluten products, such as wheat. Gluten antibodies harm the brain of cats. Therefore, if there are no concomitant diseases, then the pet should be switched to a gluten-free diet. In this case, you need to ensure that the amount of carbohydrates is as low as possible, and that the basis of nutrition is proteins. And, naturally, the food should contain a sufficient amount of B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium and calcium.

Proper care

Such animals can live a long time, and their quality of life can be quite high. The following can help with this:

• proper treatment;
• regular visits to the veterinarian;
• gluten-free diet;
• limiting the cat from stressful situations.

Actions during an attack

Correct actions during cramps will help minimize trauma. A short-term seizure itself is not dangerous for a cat (except for those cases when they are repeated too often), but the injuries that a cat can receive during seizures are dangerous. Therefore, during a seizure you need to:

1. Place your pet on the floor away from stairs and pieces of furniture that could cause injury, which will help prevent injury.
2. Wait for the attack to end. During this period, it is strictly forbidden to press the cat to the floor in an attempt to ease the convulsions. This action will not bring a positive result, but the owner may get injured. There is no point in fixing the tongue if the cat is lying on its side, the tongue will not stick into the larynx anyway. You can hold the cat's head, put your hand or pillow under it.

It is important to record when the attack began, what happened before it, the duration of the attack, and other information that may be useful to the doctor for treatment.

Features of treatment of pregnant cats

The attacks themselves do not affect the kittens’ health in any way. IN in rare cases miscarriages are possible. If epilepsy is a consequence viral infection, that is, the risk of transmitting the disease to kittens.

When seizures occur in a pregnant cat, it is important to rule out the presence of:

• toxoplasmosis;
• viral leukemia;
• peritonitis;
• immunodeficiency.

Prevention of epileptic seizures in pets

Your cat needs to have all its vaccinations up to date. First of all, this concerns the prevention of infectious diseases that affect the functioning of the nervous system, such as plague and rabies.

With a timely response from the owner to the cat’s epileptic seizures, their number can be reduced and the pet’s life can be made as high quality and comfortable as possible. Epilepsy is not a death sentence. The main thing is to care for the cat, provide it with proper nutrition and lack of stress, regularly show it to the veterinarian.

Epileptic disease is a serious pathology of the nervous system, namely the brain. It manifests itself convulsive attacks(or their equivalents). Epilepsy in cats is not one of the most frequent illnesses, so its first symptoms take most owners by surprise. Awareness in clinical picture and first aid skills during attacks are the minimum required for effective treatment and prevention of complications in your pet.

Classification and reasons

Epileptic seizures in cats are divided into idiopathic (primary epilepsy) and symptomatic (secondary).

Idiopathic epilepsy is congenital and is caused by genetic abnormalities. Its exact cause is difficult to determine; seizures begin at an early age and are difficult to treat.

The symptomatic (acquired) form appears in adult animals and indicates other diseases.

Secondary epilepsy in cats can be treated well (if its true cause is identified and eliminated).

Symptoms of epilepsy in cats

The main manifestation of the disease is an epileptic seizure. It can proceed in different ways:

• the pet convulses (clonic convulsions) - flails its paws, jerks its head sharply;
• the cat takes an unnatural body position caused by excessive muscle tension (tonic spasms);
• the animal freezes and stares motionlessly into space.

“Classic” attacks are accompanied by the cat falling, salivation, involuntary bowel movements and urination. They last from 10 seconds to several minutes.

In most cases, seizures are preceded by a period of warning signs (“aura”). At this time, the animal becomes restless, loses orientation, makes strange loud sounds, and wants to hide. The aura lasts no more than 10 minutes.

In the post-attack period, the cat may remain disoriented, lethargic and drowsy for some time (from several minutes to several hours), or, conversely, aggressive.

If the attacks are repeated continuously and the animal does not regain consciousness - we're talking about about status epilepticus. This emergency requiring qualified assistance. Epistatus threatens irreversible brain damage and even the death of the pet.

Diagnostic measures

As soon as the cat showed the first seizure, it must be shown an experienced veterinarian. In addition to the examination, your pet will need a comprehensive examination.

1. Laboratory tests of blood and urine.
2. Electroencephalography (a specific method for studying brain potentials).
3. MRI or CT scan of the brain (determines organic damage, hematomas, tumors).
4. Ultrasound diagnostics of internal organs,

The examination is aimed, first of all, at establishing the cause of the disease. Its results make it possible to answer the question: is epilepsy in cats curable or not. If the provoking factor is not found and a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is made, the prognosis for recovery is questionable.

Principles of treatment

Treatment for epilepsy in cats consists of: urgent measures during an attack and drug therapy.

First aid

As soon as you notice signs of impending seizures, protect your animal by:

• remove from the window, stairs (so that the cat does not fall from a height);
• Place in a space free of objects that could cause injury.

During the attack itself, you should not interfere (the cat may scratch). There is no need to try to pull out its tongue: contrary to popular belief, the animal will not be able to choke itself with it during a seizure.
It is advisable to film the course of the seizures - this helpful information for the attending physician.
After an attack, provide your pet with peace and eliminate irritants (bright light, noise).

Drug treatment

Treatment of epilepsy in cats with drugs must be agreed with a veterinarian. If attacks are rare (no more than one per month), medications are not required. In other cases, specific medications with anticonvulsant effects, magnesium preparations, and B vitamins are prescribed.

The dose is selected individually. The drugs are taken for a long time (in the case of idiopathic epilepsy - lifelong therapy). Unauthorized cessation of treatment is fraught with progression of the pathology.

In case of secondary epilepsy, the cause that provoked the disease is eliminated: the tumor is removed, the infectious disease is treated, and the metabolism is corrected.

The joint efforts of the owner and the veterinarian significantly improve the quality of life of a sick animal.

For many people, epilepsy sounds like a threatening sentence that puts an end to all later life pet. However, these days, epilepsy in cats, like in dogs, is not a fatal diagnosis and can be corrected with the help of a certain group of anticonvulsants. Treatment is prescribed to the animal depending on the form of the disease that is detected in it based on the test results. Following your veterinarian's instructions exactly will help keep your cat's periodic seizures to a minimum and keep her healthy.

In cats, just like in humans, there are two main forms of epilepsy:

• primary (true/idiopathic);
• secondary.

We’ll talk about the causes and characteristics of each form below.

Primary

Primary or idiopathic epilepsy remains largely a mystery to veterinarians because its true causes cannot be discovered. Thoughts are periodically expressed that this form of epilepsy is transmitted hereditarily, but the gene responsible for seizure activity still remains undiscovered.

The most mysterious feature of primary epilepsy is that with this diagnosis, seizures occur against the background good condition health. Cats susceptible to primary epileptic seizures often do not suffer from other serious diseases, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests show completely normal results.

As a rule, true epilepsy manifests itself at an early age. Some cats begin to periodically suffer from attacks as early as four to five months, which has a very negative effect on the functioning of the brain and the functioning of the fragile body as a whole.

Secondary

The secondary form of epilepsy is much easier to analyze, since it presupposes the presence of objective factors that provoke repeated attacks. The causes of secondary epilepsy can be either endogenous (caused by disruptions in the functioning of the body) or exogenous (caused by external influences).

Among the most common factors that provoke secondary epilepsy, doctors identify the following:

• head injuries resulting in concussion;
• past inflammation of the brain;
• malignant tumors of the brain;
• panleukopenia (distemper);
• congenital abnormalities in the process of GM formation (for example, hydrocephalus);
• hypoxia;
• past infectious diseases of the brain (such as encephalitis or meningitis);
• intoxication (heavy metals).

In some cases, epileptic seizures can cause pathologies that are not directly related to the functioning of the brain, for example, kidney or liver diseases. Sometimes cats exhibit conditions similar to epileptic seizures when severe poisoning, however with physiological point From a visual perspective, such convulsions are not related to epilepsy and show only an external similarity with it.

Video - Epilepsy in animals

Progression of an epileptic attack

The idea of ​​an epileptic attack as a short period of convulsions is naive and deeply erroneous. The structure of an epileptic seizure consists of four main stages that a cat goes through. Only one of these stages occurs during immediate convulsions. The remaining three are not so obvious to an external observer, and therefore in most cases go unnoticed by the owners.

You can often hear from owners of animals with epilepsy that their pet was just sitting on a windowsill or sofa, and then suddenly fell and shook. However, from a physiological point of view, there is no talk of any surprise. The body approaches the attack gradually, which also affects the cat’s well-being. Of course, it is not easy to recognize these changes, but if you start to look closely at your animal, then over time you can learn to identify a number of characteristic symptoms, indicating the approach of convulsive activity.

Video - Epilepsy attack in a cat

Structure of an epileptic seizure

So, there are four main stages of an epileptic attack:

• prodromal stage;
• aura;
• ictal stage;
• postictal stage.

Despite the complex terms, it is quite easy to understand all the listed stages. We will talk about each of them further.

Prodromic stage

This stage is preparatory; its duration can vary from a couple of days to several hours. The symptoms at the introductory stage are very vague and individual in nature. Among the manifestations characteristic of the prodromal stage are the following:

• sleep disorders;
• lack of appetite;
• apathy.

Some cats do not have a prodrome stage severe symptoms and has virtually no effect on their behavior.

Aura

The aura is a fine line between preparatory stage and direct entry into a convulsive state. The aura stage is usually much shorter than the prodromal stage. Another difference between an aura and the prodromal stage is the greater severity of symptoms. During the Aura period, owners often notice that their cats become “a little strange,” as if half asleep.

Recognize it in your pet this state possible based on the following criteria:

• disturbance of orientation in space, consisting of aimless wandering around the house;
• general state of nervousness, anxiety;
• the need to seek shelter or an obsessive desire to constantly be near the owner in search of support;
• inadequate reaction to interaction - sometimes owners may feel that the cat does not recognize them;
• increased salivation (not always the case).

Ictal stage

The ictal stage is the actual culmination, during which an epileptic attack occurs. Despite the fact that even the most inexperienced owner can guess the presence of an attack, we will dwell on its main manifestations:

• the animal falls on its side, its body seems to become stone and freezes;
• during an attack, the cat’s chest does not rise, which indicates that breathing has stopped;
• The convulsions themselves occur in different ways. In most cases they resemble running or a series of chaotic jerks;
• the pet's eyes roll back, which is not typical for all attacks. Sometimes the cat lies with an icy, unblinking gaze - in such cases the pupils noticeably dilate.

The state of highest tension usually lasts less than a minute, followed by a gradual attenuation of the attack:

• the cat is able to breathe again. The first minutes the breathing is very heavy and fast;
• the animal begins to make active chewing movements with its jaws;
• “running in place” stops, and the pet’s body relaxes;
• gradually the cat begins to blink and move its pupils, which indicates that it will soon come to its senses.

The ictal stage has different scenarios. Some cats go through these “circles of hell” once, but more severe cases the symptoms described above may recur several times. For example, an animal recovering from convulsions again falls on its side and begins to shake. The non-stop onset of new “waves” of seizures is called status epilepticus and poses a serious threat to the life of the pet. You can read more about epistatus in animals below.

Postictal stage

One of the main mistakes when treating a pet after a seizure is the assumption that the end of the seizure means the animal’s complete “recovery”. In reality, the fact that the cat is again able to control its body does not mean that it has immediately returned to an “adequate” state.

Recovery from an epileptic seizure takes from several hours to several days for different pets. The strongest painful mobilization of the body does not pass without leaving a trace for any living creature. Therefore, in the days following the attack, it is necessary to show increased attention to your pet and monitor its actions.

Symptoms of the postictal stage depend on the form of its occurrence. In cats, which are characterized by a predominance of excitation over inhibition, the following manifestations are observed:

• state of confusion, loss. An animal may get lost in its own home and begin to panic;
• a state of passion often leads to the fact that the animal avoids contact with the owner or begins to attack him, seeing the person as a threat;
• lack of coordination, which means that the pet may often stumble, fall, or “bump into” obvious obstacles;
• anxiety, frequent jumping up, unmotivated running around the house.

Those cats in which inhibition dominates often do not differ from healthy ordinary animals, since they do not have such pronounced symptoms as mentioned above. However, less pronounced does not mean complete absence painful manifestations. This group of cats also suffers from disorientation and the effects of brain fog, but does so in a more subtle way.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of epilepsy is complicated primarily by the fact that noticing seizures is not as easy as it seems. That’s why some animals with epilepsy simply don’t get to the doctor on time. This is especially true for those animals whose owners are rarely at home. The attack itself does not last long (often less than a minute), after which it does not make itself felt for a long period of time, which is why a person may simply miss this event. Therefore, epilepsy often has to be recognized indirectly, precisely by the postictal stage, or by the aura stage.

Examination by a veterinarian

If you suspect your pet has epilepsy, or have directly witnessed a seizure, it is important to take the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The best way for a doctor to make a diagnosis is to analyze the seizures themselves, so if you have the opportunity to record the seizure on camera, you should do so.

In addition to visual materials, when making a diagnosis, the doctor relies on the following information:

• cat's history. This anamnesis should include information about the diseases the pet has suffered, vaccinations completed and noticed by the owner. epileptic seizures. When describing seizures, it is important to record in detail the time of occurrence, duration, and context in which the seizures occurred;
• results general analysis urine and blood;
• results biochemical analysis blood;
• results of MRI and CT scan of the brain.

In some cases, the animal is prescribed an electroencephalogram and radiography of the skull, as well as electrocardiography to examine the heart. Sometimes the vet asks to go additional examination to check the content of lead and calcium in the pet’s body if intoxication with one of these elements is suspected.

Important! If your cat is purebred and has a rich pedigree, it is advisable for the owner to obtain information about whether the animal’s relatives had epilepsy. This will also contribute to a speedy diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for epilepsy depends on its form. For primary epilepsy, special anti-epileptic drugs are prescribed, which are often intended for lifelong use. Secondary epilepsy involves recognizing the disease that causes seizure activity and then combating it. For example, in case of liver pathologies, the veterinarian treats the liver; in case of problems with blood vessels, the veterinarian focuses on the blood vessels.

Primary

Before treating true epilepsy, the pet owner must understand what to treat this pathology it definitely won't work. In the primary form of epilepsy, only maintenance therapy is possible, maximally relieving symptoms and shortening periods of convulsive activity.

Medicines

The drug options that veterinarians prescribe for most animals with epilepsy are listed in the table.

Table 1. Anti-epileptic drugs for cats

A drug	Description
	The medication is the most popular remedy in the fight against epilepsy. Effective in reducing the frequency of seizures. Among negative aspects of the drug, a pronounced sedative effect and Negative influence for general emotional condition pet. Some owners have noted an increase in irritability in their cats with periodic use of Phenobarbital. Also this drug sometimes increases appetite
	The medication is used to combat the most severe attacks of epilepsy in animals. The drug is non-toxic and does not inhibit liver function. Among the side effects can be identified drying of the skin, most clearly manifested in the appearance of cracks on the cat’s nose and paw pads. Used in both combination and mono therapy
	The medication is aimed at reducing the production of neurotransmitters, which leads to a significant reduction in “extra” signals sent nervous system animal, leading to seizures. The exact dosage of the medication should be obtained from your veterinarian. On average, per kilogram of animal weight there are from 5 to 10 milligrams of the substance, given to the pet once every half day. Side effects observed rarely, and consists of impaired coordination and constant drowsiness
	An anticonvulsant medication that reduces the number of seizures by reducing the severity of synchronized neural excitation. Used by both animals and people. Designed for a long period of treatment with a gradual reduction in dosage

Features of therapy

Since complete relief from seizures is impossible, the result that is considered positive is one that reduces the number of seizures by fifty percent or more. Also, the effectiveness of treatment will be manifested in a reduction in the severity of symptoms, a reduction in the phases preceding the immediate attack and the phases following it.

In cases where long-term treatment does not give a satisfactory result, the veterinarian reviews the selected drug support regimen. The main reasons for the failure of therapy are the following:

• incorrect diagnosis;
• incorrect dosage of a particular drug;
• incompatibility of those selected for combination therapy medicines;
• premature addiction to the drug or intolerance to it.

The owner of an animal with epilepsy must clearly understand that making adjustments to the medications prescribed by the veterinarian and their dosage is strictly prohibited. Such actions may lead to sharp deterioration the condition of the animal and other unpredictable consequences.

Reducing the prescribed dose is usually possible only after a year successful treatment with stable positive results. Further, if your cat looks healthy and feels well, it is strictly prohibited to decide on your own to stop taking medications.

Forecast

The results of treating animals with epilepsy depend on the factors that led the pet to this disease:

• with primary epilepsy, the prognosis is positive, but cautious, since much depends on correctly selected therapy and its compliance by the owner;
• with secondary epilepsy caused by treatable diseases, the prognosis is positive. As a rule, when the disease that provokes epilepsy is cured, the attacks themselves disappear;
• with secondary epilepsy caused by pathologies that themselves pose a serious threat to the life of the cat, the prognosis is often unfavorable. Such pathologies include malignant tumors GM, heavy systemic diseases(such as Addison's disease) and developmental abnormalities of the brain.

Helping a cat during a seizure

Living with an animal diagnosed with epilepsy always requires a person to be on alert. It is quite difficult to predict the proximity of the next seizure, but over time, the observant owner develops a number of behavioral criteria by which he determines the approach of an attack.

Majority epileptic seizures(with the exception of epistatus) do not pose a direct threat to the life of the cat. However, the animal may well suffer from indirect factors, be it an unsuccessful fall, a stuck tongue followed by suffocation, and so on. Therefore, it is important to provide a sick pet with comfortable conditions, in which he can cope with the attack with minimal losses for himself.

The owner can help the cat survive the seizures in the following ways:

Life of a cat with epilepsy

What is life like for pets with such a terrible diagnosis for many people as epilepsy? Fortunately for the owners of such animals, even with such a disease, cats are able to live a long, fulfilling life and remain active. Of course, all this is possible with the right treatment. The primary form will require constant use of medications, which will impose certain restrictions on the pet’s life, but they will not prevent you from having a good time with him.