He's almost 15 years old and been an indoor cat all his life. Last night he had what might be described as a seizure except that he didn't empty his bowels or bladder. Afterward his eyes were off and he couldn't/wouldn't move with some gentle probing (the kind of gentle probing that usual gets him up) This morning he was a little slower than usual but did his usual job of tripping me on the way to feed him and he ate his food with the same appetite.
2006-06-14 03:55:42 · 15 answers · asked by Tavita 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
A cat does not have to empty his or her bowels and bladder for convulsions to be considered a seizure. That only happens if the bladder and/or bowels are full. Seizures can be caused by many different things. And 15 years of age is not necessarily that old if your cat is otherwise fit and healthy. Many cats live into their 20s. You need to take you cat to a vet and let them do a geriatric blood workup. These tests will provide them with valuable information on organ function, as well as provide cancer indicators. The vet will be able to help you find out if your cat is in any pain or has a treatable illness. If nothing comes back, your cat (like mine) may have developed feline epilepsy (seizures with no known cause). These seizures can be controled inexpensively with medication. Please see your vet as soon as possible. Good luck.
2006-06-14 04:06:07 · answer #1 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It can be a sign of many things. I have a cat who has seizures and I found out he was diabetic. Fortunately, I just changed his food to Science Diet and its controlled (less sugar in a good food). The only way you will know what the underlying cause is for sure is to get him tested at the Vet.
After the seizure, the cat will act quite confused and his pupils may even be dialated. My cat pants and acts very strangely for a good long time afterwards. Then he just sleeps it off.
If you have the money, I would suggest you go get some blood tests on your kitty!
2006-06-14 11:00:25 · answer #2 · answered by WiserAngel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many things that can cause seizures. (there are different degrees of seizures from focal seizures where only one area of the body is affected to grand mal which is what people typically think of as a seizure) The older an animal gets when having their first seizure the less likely it is to be an epileptic seizure. The best course of action is to take him in and have blood work done. Things that may be detected in the blood work such as kidney disease and diabetes, possibly even electrolyte imbalances can cause seizures. Other things may not be detectable with blood work such as tumors, strokes or poisonings, but you need to rule out the more common things first.
2006-06-14 11:22:32 · answer #3 · answered by lolipoplili 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like "normal" behavior for a cat who's had a seizure. My elderly cat is 18 and he has them under stressful circumstances. He does the same thing, and is confused for a morning or afternoon afterward. I'm glad to see he was alright in the morning. Have you had any experience with him crying at night after a seizure? Temujin does occasionally. My vet says there's really nothing he can do about it, it's just part of the normal aging process. Just love your cat. Pet him for me.
2006-06-14 11:10:08 · answer #4 · answered by Mama Otter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, sounds like a seizure. Might be fairly common in a cat of that age, but I'd take him to the vet just to be sure.
2006-06-14 10:58:49 · answer #5 · answered by dulcetpurr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you researched into the cause of seizures? There are quite a few, but one IS vaccinations. Read the University of Illinois web links and the website of a cat owner .
www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle_pf.cfm?id=287
www.cvm.uiuc.edu/ope/ivb/fefine.htm
2006-06-14 11:09:06 · answer #6 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe a trip to the vet is in order????? A seizure at that age can have several causes. Maybe at this age you do not want to treat anything, but at least they can tell you if there is something obvious that would require treatment or euthanasia.
2006-06-14 11:01:29 · answer #7 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like he definitely had a seizure. It's possible that your cat has developed epilepsy but it's possible to have seizures without having epilepsy. It could be caused by a stroke at his age. Your best bet would be to take him to the vet. medication might help him but please take him before he has another. He could hurt himself and watching him have them will only make you feel worse.
2006-06-14 11:00:59 · answer #8 · answered by gingerwolf77 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a seizure or a stroke. Get him to the vet.
2006-06-14 11:00:06 · answer #9 · answered by Loss Leader 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well your cat is OLD and you need to get him to vet so will have the meds to make him comfortable.
2006-06-14 10:59:15 · answer #10 · answered by GRUMPY1LUVS2EAT 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋