EPILEPSY IN CATS

Epilepsy in cats is a neurological disorder characterized by repeated seizure episodes due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. A seizure is a brief episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in movement, behavior, consciousness or bodily functions.

Epilepsy may be classified as primary (idiopathic), when no underlying cause can be identified or secondary, when seizures result from another medical condition such as brain injury, infection or metabolic disease.

Although seizure episodes may appear frightening to pet owners, most cats diagnosed with idiopathic or secondary epilepsy will lead normal lives, provided they receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatments.

Causes

Epilepsy in cats may have a variety of underlying causes depending on whether the cat has primary or secondary epilepsy.

Primary epilepsy in cats is diagnosed when no other cause of seizures can be found after all diagnostic tests have been conducted. Primary epilepsy is less common in cats than in dogs, but it still occurs.

Secondary epilepsy, which accounts for more cases in cats than primary epilepsy, may result from several conditions, such as:

• Brain trauma or head injury
• Brain tumors
• Infections such as toxoplasmosis and viral diseases
• A disease of either the kidney or the liver that causes the accumulation of toxins
• Hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar
• Exposure to certain medications or poisons
• Stroke or vascular disorders

Understanding the specific cause of epilepsy allows the veterinarian to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and long term prognosis.

Symptoms

The severity and kind of seizures may vary in cats. Seizures can be subtle or very dramatic, involving the whole body.

The following symptoms are present before a seizure (prodromal phase):

• Unusual behaviour or restlessness
• Hiding or seeking attention
• Increased vocalisation
• Anxiety or confusion

During a Seizure

• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Twitching muscles or jerking movements of the body
• Paddling of the limbs
• Drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Lack of bladder or bowel control
• Non responsive

After a Seizure (Postictal Phase)

• Confusion or disorientation
• Temporary blindness or wobbliness
• Fatigue or deep sleep
• Increased appetite or thirst

A single seizure may last from a few seconds to several minutes and in the case of clusters or prolonged episodes of seizures, immediate veterinary care is needed.

Risks

While epilepsy alone does not typically represent a dangerous condition for cats, repeated episodes of seizure activity could be detrimental to their health.

Status epilepticus, a prolonged or continuous seizure, is a life threatening emergency that can cause brain injury, dangerously high body temperature, and organ damage.

Additionally, frequent seizures will negatively affect your cat’s quality of life and are indicative of an active and potentially unresponsive underlying disease process.

If a cat has secondary epilepsy, there are potential added health risks associated with not treating the primary condition.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of epilepsy requires excluding any alternative conditions that may cause seizures.

Veterinarians start by obtaining a comprehensive medical history from you and performing a thorough physical examination, then conducting a complete neurological evaluation.

Diagnostic Testing

• Blood testing to identify whether there is dysfunction in any organs and/or low blood sugar (glucose)
• Urine testing to help assess the overall metabolic status of your cat
• Brain imaging studies (MRI or CT scans), etc., to determine the extent of damage to the brain
• Screening for infectious agents such as Toxoplasma gondii
• CSF analysis in selected cases

Epilepsy is considered to be “primary” when all other possible causes of seizures have been ruled out.

Treatment

The primary objective of cat epilepsy treatment involves managing or controlling seizures, but not necessarily eliminating them. The approach depends on the severity, frequency and underlying cause.

Anti Seizure Medications

The most common treatment for epilepsy in cats is long term anti convulsive medications that work to stabilize abnormal electrical activity within the cat’s brain, thereby decreasing both the occurrence and severity of seizures.

Cats with epilepsy are typically treated for the rest of their lives with ongoing monitoring of their condition and required adjustments to their dosages. Timing of each dose is critical because missing a dose significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing what is referred to as a “breakthrough” seizure.

Treatment of Underlying Causes

Secondary treatment options include addressing the underlying causes of the cat’s epilepsy. For example, if the underlying infection is caused by bacteria, then antibiotics would be prescribed. If it is caused by parasites, then antiparasitic medications would be prescribed.

If the cat has a metabolic disorder, then the specific needs of the metabolic disorder will need to be addressed. Depending on where a tumor is located and how severe it is, surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy or other forms of palliative care may be needed.

Supportive Care

In addition to treatment, providing supportive care will assist in improving your cat’s overall quality of life. Some examples include keeping your home environment as stable and low stress as possible; establishing a consistent daily routine, including time for eating, sleeping, etc.; and minimizing potential stresses.

There have been studies that indicate that excessive stress may contribute to an increased incidence of seizures in cats.

Emergency Care During a Seizure

A proper response to a seizure important for safety. Cat owners should stay calm and never try to hold their cat down. The cat will have no idea where they are or what they are doing, so you don’t want your hands anywhere near their mouth.

Remove anything from around the cat that could cause harm, such as glass or metal objects.

Timing the seizure will greatly assist your vet in assessing the situation.

If the seizure lasts more than a few minutes or if there are several seizures in a row, emergency veterinary assistance is needed.

Prevention

While primary Epilepsy cannot generally be prevented, secondary Epilepsy can be lessened by managing your cat’s overall health.

Protecting cats from hitting their heads, making sure they are either inside or closely supervised at all times, creating an environment free of toxins, regular visits to your vet to monitor for symptoms of metabolic or neurological diseases.

Early detection and treatment of infections and chronic illnesses will also lower the risk of a seizure occurring.

Maintaining a healthy balance of diet and maintaining a consistent routine will also help promote neurological stability.