🐾 Vet Guide 2025: Understanding and Treating Seizure Disorders in Cats 🧠🐱

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Few things are as frightening for a pet parent as watching their beloved cat go through a seizure. Whether it’s your first time witnessing it or you’ve seen it before, it never gets easier. The twitching, stiffening, and loss of awareness can leave anyone feeling helpless. But understanding what seizures are, why they happen, and how to treat them can turn fear into confident care. 💪🐾

⚡ What Is a Seizure?

A seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain. This disruption leads to involuntary muscle movements, twitching, jerking, and even unconsciousness. 🧠⚡

Common symptoms include:

• 💥 Twitching or muscle spasms
• 🧼 Drooling, vomiting, urination, or defecation
• 🐈‍⬛ Uncontrollable running or climbing
• 😵 Loss of consciousness
• 🗣️ Vocalization or yowling

Most seizures last seconds to minutes, but some can continue longer and become emergencies. ⏱️

🧠 Types of Seizures in Cats

🔹 Focal (Partial) Seizures

Only one part of the brain is affected, so symptoms are localized. You might see twitching in just one leg, an ear, or the face. Other signs include tail chasing, chewing limbs, or odd repetitive behaviors like “chewing gum” motions. 😼

🔸 Generalized Seizures

These affect both sides of the brain and body. The cat may fall over, paddle its limbs, stiffen up, or lose control of bodily functions. They typically lose awareness during these episodes. 🚨

📈 Recognizing a Seizure Before, During & After

🌩️ Pre-Ictal (Before)

Increased nervousness, pacing, vocalizing, hiding, or excessive affection. This phase can last minutes to days.

⚡ Ictal (During)

The seizure itself—can last a few seconds to several minutes.

🌫️ Post-Ictal (After)

Disorientation, restlessness, head pressing, hyperactivity, or excessive sleeping. Recovery may take 24–48 hours.

🔍 Causes of Seizures in Cats

1️⃣ One-Time Causes

• ☠️ Toxins (e.g., insecticides, plants, cleaning products)
• 🚗 Trauma or head injury
• 🩺 Metabolic issues (liver, kidney, thyroid disease)
• 🍬 Low blood sugar (especially in young or diabetic cats)
• 🔊 Flashing lights or loud sounds in sensitive cats

2️⃣ Recurrent Causes (Epilepsy)

• 🧬 Primary epilepsy (likely genetic)
• 🦠 Brain infections or inflammation
• 🧠 Tumors or brain malformations
• 🧪 Idiopathic epilepsy (no known cause)

Note: Idiopathic seizures are less common in cats than dogs. 🐶

📋 Diagnosing Seizures

Your vet will start with a detailed history and physical exam. A video recording is extremely helpful. 🎥

Diagnostics may include:

• 🧪 Blood and urine tests
• 🩻 Imaging (CT or MRI)
• 🧠 Neurological exam
• 🦠 Toxin or infectious disease screening

Some cases may be referred to a veterinary neurologist for advanced testing. 🧠🩺

💊 Treatment Options for Seizures

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, seizure frequency, and severity. The goal is not necessarily to stop all seizures, but to reduce their intensity and frequency. 🎯

🆘 Emergency Seizures (Status Epilepticus)

If a seizure lasts over five minutes or your cat has three or more seizures in a row without recovering, seek urgent veterinary care. These are medical emergencies. 🚨

💉 Stabilization in Emergencies Includes:

• 🔁 Short-acting anticonvulsants
• 💧 IV fluids
• 🧬 Treating underlying triggers (e.g., toxins, infections)

🧠 Long-Term Seizure Management

Chronic seizures or epilepsy are treated with anticonvulsant medications, typically:

• 💊 Phenobarbital
• 💊 Levetiracetam
• 💊 Zonisamide

Key Points:

• ⏱️ Finding the right dose takes time and monitoring
• 📆 Therapy is often lifelong
• 🧪 Blood levels are monitored regularly

💡 Common Side Effects (Usually Temporary):

• 😴 Drowsiness or sedation
• 🚶 Incoordination
• 🍽️ Increased appetite and weight gain

📉 What to Do During a Seizure

• 🛑 Stay calm and don’t touch your cat unless they are in danger
• 🧣 Use a thick blanket to gently move them if needed
• 🕐 Time the seizure
• 📹 Record the episode if possible
• 🧾 Note what happened before, during, and after the seizure

🔁 Cluster Seizures

If your cat has multiple seizures in 24 hours but seems normal between them, it’s called a cluster seizure. These are less urgent but still require vet follow-up. 🩺

🌈 Prognosis and Quality of Life

While most cats won’t become completely seizure-free, many live long, happy lives with proper management. Treating seizures is about improving life quality—not eliminating seizures entirely. 🌟🐱

With regular vet visits, medication monitoring, and a watchful eye at home, your cat can still live a full and playful life. 🧸

📲 When to Seek Help

If your cat has a first-time seizure, frequent seizures, or signs of distress—don’t wait. Consult a vet. Early intervention can prevent worsening and preserve brain health. 🧠

You can reach out to Dr Duncan Houston and other experts at AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for real-time, professional advice. 🩺🐾

📍 Final Thoughts

Seizures in cats are scary—but they’re manageable. By staying informed, acting calmly, and working closely with your vet, you can give your cat the comfort and safety they need. 💖🐈

Need expert seizure support for your cat? 🐱💬 Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to get real-time help from Dr Duncan Houston and our veterinary team. 🩺📱