There have been numerous cat owners who were not aware about cat seizure or feline seizures not until they witness their cats having seizure episodes. Symptoms of cat seizures are more frightening than harmful, however, even if cat seizures are not that harmful, immediate veterinary attention is required to make sure that the seizure your cat is going through is not caused by a more serious underlying medical condition that is life-threatening. If the cat seizure is caused by a serious medical condition, it is common for the cat to get better once the underlying medical condition is treated.

Significance of Cat Seizure

It is quite rare for the cat seizure to be caused by idiopathic epilepsy or an epilepsy with an unknown cause, which is not life-threatening. There are several different causes of feline seizure, such as head trauma, cryptococcosis poisoning, adverse effects from certain medications, decrease blood glucose levels, coccidian parasite infestation, tumors, hepatic encephalopathy, impaired kidney functions, etc.

Symptoms of Cat Seizures

Just like grand mal seizure and other seizure episodes in humans, cat seizures still pass through 3 distinct stages, the aura stage, ictus stage, and the post-ictus stage. In each stage, there will be distinct signs and symptoms.

• Aura Stage – this is the stage before the actual seizure episode takes place. The aura stage may be different from every cat, but common symptoms or signs during the aura stage are restlessness, hiding from invisible threats, and meowing excessively. During this stage, cat owners may be confused and get worried about what his or her cat is going through.
• Ictus Stage – this is the stage wherein the actual seizure episode is going to happen. The cat will fall down the floor then experience rapid, uncoordinated, and uncontrolled twitching of its legs and the entire body. During the ictus stage, the cat may involuntarily urinate, defecate, cry, and drool.
• Post-Ictus Stage – this is the stage wherein the twitching or the actual seizure episode is done. Cats who have just undergone the seizure episode are most likely disoriented, restless, anxious, and stressed.

All three stages of a cat’s seizure episode may vary from each cat in terms of the length of time of each seizure stage, symptoms, and how every cat reacts to symptoms. Sometimes, cats may not even undergo the first stage, the aura stage and directly falls down and undergo seizures.