During your cat's life, there are many illnesses that she may experience, including epilepsy. This condition can have a variety of causes, and if the seizures are recurrent, they should get your attention. What are the sources? Are there ways to prevent it? How is the condition diagnosed? And what treatment options are available?
What is an epileptic seizure?
Epilepsy manifests itself in the form of seizures, which are the result of a temporary and sudden malfunction of the electrical activity of the brain. It is therefore a neurological disease. Electrical discharges pass through the body of the affected individual, including your cat.
Seizures in your cat are similar to those seen in humans. Your pet may experience convulsions and other symptoms that may seem impressive.
What are the manifestations of an epileptic seizure?
The classic epileptic seizure is divided into three well-defined stages.
Firstly, there is the aura phase which precedes the seizure itself. During this stage, your cat may appear more anxious or agitated. This phase may persist for several days before the seizure occurs. However, you may never notice these signs, as they can be interpreted as indicating other problems.
After this, the ictus is the seizure itself. This stage usually lasts between 1 and 5 minutes. It is during this period that your cat will experience seizures, the intensity of which will vary depending on the cause of the epilepsy.
Finally, the post-ictal phase is the period following the seizure. After the seizure, your cat must recover and may be lethargic or weak. Her behaviour may also change, manifesting itself as anxiety, aggression, etc. This last stage may last for a few minutes or several days.
It is important to note that not all epileptic seizures are the same. Epilepsy can manifest itself in different forms, and seizures can also vary depending on the area of the brain cells affected. In fact, there are two categories of epileptic seizures.
Primary epilepsy :
The main cause of epileptic seizures in your cat is related to primary seizures, also known as idiopathic seizures.
In this case, your cat has no brain damage or clinical disorder. Despite an apparently normal brain, it will nevertheless suffer from recurrent seizures. While the genetic origin of epilepsy has been demonstrated in dogs, this has not yet been established in cats.
Secondary epilepsy :
Also called lesional epilepsy, this form of epilepsy involves damage to a part of the brain. The seizures result from factors such as a tumour, malformation, sequelae or other type of brain trauma.
What causes epilepsy?
The causes of epilepsy can be intracranial or extracranial.
Intracranial origins :
These include tumours, malformations, encephalitis or stroke. These causes are generally the most serious and carry a higher life-threatening risk.
Extracranial origins :
In some cases, your cat may have convulsions without actually having a seizure. These are more likely to be due to allergic reactions, poisoning from plants, certain foods or chemicals. However, there are also seizures resulting from organ dysfunction such as the liver or pancreas, or due to low blood sugar.
Generally, in a cat under 5 years of age, seizures are often considered primary. However, as your cat gets older, the cause of the epilepsy may be intracranial, which could indicate the presence of a tumour or more serious brain disease.
Diagnosis
You may not notice your cat's first epileptic seizures. Also, your cat does not usually suffer during these rapid episodes. However, once you do notice seizures, it is important to note the times and duration of the seizures, as well as any potential triggers, such as an expired food or a specific intolerance.
It is essential that you consult a vet, as only they can make an accurate diagnosis of your cat's epilepsy.
How is this done? First of all, by taking a blood test. This blood test will check the proper functioning of certain organs, such as the liver, kidneys and pancreas. Next, further tests are needed to determine the cause of the epilepsy. A CT scan or an MRI scan may be ordered, possibly accompanied by a cerebrospinal fluid tap to look for secondary epilepsy.
The diagnosis also confirms that your cat is suffering from epileptic seizures. Mild seizures could be due to other problems, such as a bad fall or other illnesses.
Treatment to follow
The treatment depends on the causes of the attacks.
For infrequent primary seizures, increased monitoring is usually sufficient without specific treatment. Treatment will only be initiated if the seizures become recurrent. Depending on the cause of the epilepsy, your cat can be treated. However, a seizure resulting from a brain injury greatly reduces the chances of recovery.
Anti-epileptic treatment aims to reduce seizures by reducing the excitation of neurons. It is important to give the medication at fixed times, between one and three times a day, as recommended by the vet. After one month of treatment, a follow-up visit to the vet is necessary to adjust the dose, which can be increased if it was insufficient or reduced if necessary.
It is possible that your cat will continue to have a few attacks. This is not necessarily a sign of treatment failure. Sometimes patience is required. It is important to note that anti-epileptic drugs can have side effects on your cat's mood, appetite and thirst. These effects tend to diminish over time.
Do not confuse with other diseases
Other illnesses can cause seizures and do not necessarily mean that your cat has epilepsy.
Syncope is one example, often with a metabolic or cardiac cause. Your cat may also suffer from narcolepsy or catalepsy, which manifests as a sudden loss of muscle tone. Other conditions, such as herniated discs, can also account for some seizures that appear similar to epilepsy.
In summary :
Seizures in your cat can have a variety of causes. They can be benign, i.e. without brain damage, or lesional (secondary), resulting from a tumour, a more serious neurological disorder or a specific organ dysfunction. Seizures may also be related to indigestion or food poisoning, in which case they are not called epilepsy.
The diagnosis is based on blood tests and imaging studies carried out by your vet. Only your vet can determine the cause of your cat's epilepsy and provide appropriate treatment. This treatment must be administered rigorously, even if it does not necessarily prevent the appearance of new seizures.
