A seizure in a cat is a temporary, involuntary disturbance of brain function caused by a sudden, uncontrolled surge of electrical activity in the brain. This neurological event can manifest as twitching, shaking, convulsions, or spasms. While witnessing a cat experience a seizure is unsettling, staying calm and understanding the necessary response is the first step in ensuring the cat’s safety and collecting information for veterinary care. The primary goal during this event is to prevent the cat from incurring physical injury and to accurately document the episode.
Immediate Steps During the Seizure
The priority during the actual seizure, known as the ictal phase, is securing the surrounding environment. Most generalized seizures last for a short duration, typically less than two minutes. Clear away any objects, such as furniture or sharp items, that the cat might strike during the uncontrolled movements.
If the cat is seizing on a high surface, like a bed edge or stairs, gently slide or wrap it in a thick towel to move it to a safer, floor-level location. Do not attempt to restrain the cat or place your hands near its mouth. Cats do not swallow their tongues during a seizure, and intervening risks a severe bite injury, as the cat is unconscious.
Accurately timing the seizure duration is important data for the veterinarian. Start a timer immediately when the seizure activity begins and stop it when the movements cease. If possible, recording a video of the event can also provide the medical team with information about the seizure type and severity.
Post-Seizure Observation and Recovery
Once the seizure activity stops, the cat enters the post-ictal phase, a period where the brain recovers normal function. This phase is characterized by abnormal behavior and can last from a few minutes to up to 48 hours. Common signs include disorientation, excessive sleepiness, pacing, or increased appetite and thirst.
Temporary blindness, known as transient blindness, may occur, causing the cat to walk into objects or appear confused. Offer the cat a quiet, dark, and confined space to recover. This helps minimize stress and prevent accidental injury due to disorientation. Do not force the cat to eat or drink, but ensure fresh water is accessible once it is moving safely.
Detailed documentation should continue beyond the seizure. Record the exact time of day the seizure occurred, the total duration, and a description of the symptoms, including any temporary blindness or behavioral changes. This history provides the most comprehensive data set for the veterinarian to determine the cause and frequency of the episodes.
Identifying Critical Emergency Situations
While most seizures are short and self-limiting, certain patterns represent life-threatening medical emergencies requiring immediate veterinary intervention. A seizure lasting longer than five minutes is defined as status epilepticus. This prolonged, continuous seizure activity prevents the brain from resetting and poses a severe risk.
Another emergency is cluster seizures, defined as multiple seizures occurring within a 24-hour period without a full return to normal consciousness between episodes. Both status epilepticus and cluster seizures can rapidly lead to hyperthermia, or dangerously high body temperature, due to continuous muscle contraction. This can result in irreversible brain damage and systemic complications. Owners must call an emergency veterinary hospital immediately if either of these situations occurs.
Veterinary Diagnosis and Management
Following a single, short seizure, a full veterinary examination is necessary to investigate the underlying cause. Seizures are often symptoms of an underlying condition, which can be extracranial (outside the brain) or intracranial (inside the brain). The initial diagnostic workup typically includes a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis to screen for metabolic causes like kidney disease, liver disease, or certain toxins.
If the initial blood work is normal, or if seizures recur, advanced diagnostics are often recommended to search for intracranial causes. This includes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain to identify structural issues like tumors or inflammation. A sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may also be analyzed to check for infectious or inflammatory diseases affecting the central nervous system.
Treatment goals focus on addressing the underlying cause, such as treating an infection or metabolic disorder. If no cause is found, the condition may be classified as idiopathic epilepsy, which is less common in cats than in dogs. In cases of recurrent or severe seizures, antiepileptic medications like phenobarbital or levetiracetam may be prescribed to reduce the frequency and severity of future episodes.