Karingal Vet Hospital

328 Cranbourne Road, Frankston, VIC, 3199

P: (03) 9789 3444

Email us

Karingal Vet Call Directions
Book an Appointment

Seizures in Cats

Posted on: Oct 8 2021

Seizures in cats are often caused by abnormal activity in the brain and can be scary for any owner to witness, yet they’re not always an emergency. It is usually a symptom of disease within the brain and can be accompanied by some common symptoms.

Cat have Seizures, cat laying down

Symptoms of a Cat Seizure

The symptoms associated with seizures in cats can vary depending on the severity of the disease. These are some signs that you should be aware of.

  • Convulsions or spasms
  • Limb rigidity or paddling
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Abnormal vocalisation
  • Twitching
  • Shaking
  • Tremors
  • Lethargy
  • And in rare circumstances, tail chasing, aggression and shadow chasing.

After any episode, it is recommended that you take your cat to your vet for a check-up and diagnosis.

So, What Causes Seizures in Cats?

Seizures in cats often occurs when its brain activity changes, such as feeding, waking up, falling asleep or in times of excitement.

There are two main causes of seizures in cats. Intracranial which is caused within the skull, and extracranial, outside of the skull.

Intracranial Causes

Intracranial seizures are structural diseases within the brain and include a tumour, inflammation of the brain, an infection, brain malformation, head trauma, a stroke or brain parasites.

Extracranial Causes

The most common causes of extracranial seizures in cats are liver or kidney disease, incorrect flea or tick products, toxins, poisons, heatstroke, infectious disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.

resting cat, seizures in cats

How Are the Seizures Treated?

Treatment of seizures in your cat depends on any underlying diseases and how often your cat has episodes. If seizures are rare, your cat may not require treatment, however if seizures occur more than every six to eight weeks, then treatment may be necessary. Treatment might not always prevent seizures, however it can reduce them and help to improve your cat’s quality of life.

Karingal Vet Hospital – Seizures in Cats

If your cat is having seizures, it is important to speak to your vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your cat’s health, feel free to contact Karingal Vet Hospital on (03) 9789 3444 or book an appointment today.

Share this article

328 Cranbourne Road, Frankston, VIC, 3199

P: (03) 9789 3444

The Karingal Veterinary Hospital is open 6 days a week.

Our hours are

- 8am-6pm Monday-Friday,
- 9am-5pm Saturday,
- Closed on Sundays,

* We are closed on public holidays.