Content
- What is epilepsy?
- Symptoms to be alert
- Diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in cats
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Caring for a cat with epilepsy
- What NOT to do in the event of a seizure
Epilepsy is a disease that affects almost every living thing, including humans. It is a very frequent disorder, which makes life difficult for those who suffer from it, as they can suffer from an epileptic attack at any time.
When this disease is diagnosed in a cat, we must be sure that the environment in which it lives is calm and, above all, it is safe for it. For cat owners it is good to note that it is not as common as epilepsy in dogs, which is good news.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain everything about epilepsy in cats, yours symptoms, treatments and care that you must have to be calm when living with this disease.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a symptom of a fundamentally neurological dysfunction of the brain. The present symptom we are talking about are the convulsions, but they can also be present in diseases other than epilepsy.
They can be originated by different reasons, within which we find the hereditary, which are known as idiopathic causes, or by a disorder. Within the latter we have everything from a fall with a blow to the head (which in cats is difficult to notice) to infectious causes.
The causes will be determined, as far as possible, by the veterinarian. And we'll talk more about this later on.
Symptoms to be alert
If you believe your cat may be suffering from epilepsy, consider the following symptoms to determine if it really is this disease:
- spontaneous seizures
- muscle stiffness
- loss of balance
- Difficulty eating and drinking
- difficulty walking
- hyperactivity
- Hyperventilation (usually before the attack)
- nervousness
Diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in cats
Although there is a lower percentage in cats than in dogs, there are some pure breeds with more predisposition and the first years of life are crucial for our little feline. As we mentioned at the beginning, the disease can be due to different causes, but if you detect that your cat has one or more of the symptoms mentioned, consult the veterinarian as soon as possible to make a diagnosis.
Diagnosis
The veterinarian will take into account your weight, age and type of epilepsy and will try to help you reach a diagnosis with blood and urine tests, radiographs and even encephalograms.
Treatment
The choice of treatment will be according to the results obtained with the exams. Let's cite the possibilities to evaluate:
- Traditional medicine: there are short and long duration drugs that will be regulated by the veterinarian according to each animal.
- Homeopathy: it is a very effective therapy to stabilize the animal and provide the best quality of life in a disease that has no cure, only variation in time.
- Bach flowers: help the animal in the most natural way but not harmful. It can be combined with other therapies named here.
- Reiki: will help the animal to connect better with the environment and its inner peace. It is very useful in pets where the number of seizures increases and the drugs do not have the desired effect.
You should always consult your veterinarian first and follow their directions for treatment to follow.
Caring for a cat with epilepsy
First and foremost, it should provide you with a safe and pampering environment at home. Minimize situations that can cause you stress, as they can trigger an attack. We know it's not an easy life, but a cat with this disease can have a life expectancy of 20 years if you know how to take care of it.
at home try avoid open windows or stairs without their supervision, or put nets in places that present a possible danger to the animal. Keep away from your litter box, bed and feeder, objects that could cause you problems in the event of an attack.
What NOT to do in the event of a seizure
- Hold her head (may fracture her neck).
- Give him food, drink or medication at that time.
- Cover it with a blanket or provide it with heat (it may suffer from suffocation).
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.