Seizures in pets..Update post #13

[Disneylover79]

I woke up tonight to my cat having a seizure....I am a nurse so I know one when I see one....it was so scary.....he did not loose bodily functions,and had a glazed over look....so now we are going to the vets in the AM....

Anyone else awake to talk to or have any experience....

 

[sam_rogers]

Hi there, I hope your cat's ok!!!
I would definitely get to the vets as soon as you can in the morning and its a good idea to write down as much information as you can like how long the seizure lasted, did they remain conscious, were they open or closed mouth breathing etc.
Its often better for cats to come around from seizures in a dimly lit environment as this will stimulate the senses less. I really hope you're ok, if you have any major problems, is there an emergency vets you can call?

 

[Rachie0507]

I did have a cat that had seizures from the time he was about a year old until he had to be put down at 12 years old. He would only get them once a year or so and there was no warning, though it seemed to be more likely to happen when he was stressed. He would make this awful howling sounds and his body would be cold and rigid. He would need extra cuddling and comforting when he came out of it.

Eventually, the seizures became more frequent and severe (losing body function, harder to get him out of it, etc). We ultimately had to have him put down because of the frequency and the loss of brain function. The vet, through the years, told me there wasn't much they could do. Testing was invasive and there wasn't great results for seizure disorders for cats. This was 15 years ago though, that might be different.

Hugs for you, though. It is so difficult to see something you love so much in that situation. I'm hoping that it was just a fluke for you and nothing more. Definitely follow up with your vet!

 

[Meriweather]

My 16 year old cat started having them about a year ago.
They would come randomly. He would try to find me....fell down the stairs once.
Usually they sent him walking in circles banging into things. Also small mals, never a grand.
Because of his age, the doc said just to watch him. They were coming every 2 weeks or so. If they got grand and/or very frequent, they would reevaluate.
He never lost bodily functions.
We moved from WA to AZ last summer. He had 2 about 2 weeks apart and then hasn't had any since then

Hope all goes well with your kitty. Good luck and best wishes to both of you.

 

[Jennasis]

We had a greyhound who had seizures. Violent, thrashing, drooling, snapping, and then she'd be dazed for about an hour afterwards. We tried all the usual remedies (Phenobarbitol, and when that didn't work Potassium Promide). Our dog had a brain tumor as it turns out and medication wouldn't help.

But my sister's best friend's cat had seizures and the meds worked just fine.

 

[disney_mommy]

My black lab had them for years. Meds helped.

 

[Gigi22]

Our elderly cat developed seizures while recovering from an operation on her liver. She would run in circles, lose bladder control, then collapse. Fortunately we were able to keep her away from the stairs when she seized. Our vet advised us to hold her, and speak calmly to her to reassure her. She was around 18 years old when this happened, and was on prednisone for other conditions.

 

[kirbydog48]

My 5 year old yellow lab has gotten them since he was a year old. He's on phenobarbital, potassium bromide and zonisamide. Unfortunately, if the cat is developing these later than life, there's most likely a neurological cause. Probably after just one seizure they'll probably do the watch and wait approach. I used to record date, time of day, any unusual food or activity, etc. Also any other unusual behavior? Panting, pacing, crying, etc. It's all useful info for the vet. Good luck with your kitty! It's not a pleasant thing to watch, but if it's idiopathic epilepsy, it can usually be managed with medication.

 

[ols386]

My 8-year-old yellow lab has had them for about 6 years. Once he started having them more than once a month, the vet put him on phenobarbitol, which does help to control them, but he still occasionally has break-through seizures, but they are not as severe.

One time, before he was on medication, he had cluster seizures, where he had one right after the other, probably about 4 seizures in total, and right after that is when he started taking the medication for them.

Other than having an occasional seizue, he's pretty healthy.

 

[SadieDog]

My cat started having seizures around age 3. She is about 5 now. It sure was scary. She would lose bladder control so we put her on meds. She takes phenobarb twice a day.

 

[bettymae1121]

my dog had seizures, yes the first time they happen they are scary!

I don't know if the same is true in cats, but in dogs it can often be caused by low thyroid levels. my dog just needed a thyroid pill twice a day and she was fine, after that she only had a mild seizure about twice a year or so. the pills weren't even that expensive. Since her seizures were infrequent after she started taking the thyroid pill, i didn't bother with the anti-seizure meds.

 

[cluvsdisney]

My 11 year old cat had a seizure in January. It was her first one and it scared the bejeesis out of me. Afterwards, she was panting and went into hiding - she's a pretty social cat so that was weird. She barely came out for breakfast which never happens.

I *think* and the doctor tends to agree that she had a stress induced seizure because I found this weird plastic screw thing near where she stopped seizing. I have never saw that screw so who knows where she found it. That's just a guess though since I was watching her.

Based on a physical exam and some blood tests, the vet said she was ok. Because she is an older cat, the vet said to just keep an eye on her in case it happens again. She said some cats do have epilepsy but seizures would have started sooner then this.

I hope your little kitty is ok too. hugs!

 

[Disneylover79]

Just got home from the vets...she did not seem to concerned since this is the first and only time Sunny has done this....she said to keep an eye on him and keep a log of abnormal things....but lab work was stellar and now he is home relaxing.....thanks to all of you who dealt with my panic at 3:30AM....

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

Our dog has had about 4 seizures in the last 2 1/2 years (that we know of). The first time was the worst, but each time leaves us feeling so helpless. Our vet seems to think it is no big deal.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Just got home from the vets...she did not seem to concerned since this is the first and only time Sunny has done this....she said to keep an eye on him and keep a log of abnormal things....but lab work was stellar and now he is home relaxing.....thanks to all of you who dealt with my panic at 3:30AM....

I am glad he's ok.