TL;DR: Generalized seizures in cats are high-urgency medical emergencies characterized by a loss of consciousness and involuntary movements. You must seek immediate veterinary care if a seizure lasts more than five minutes or if your cat has multiple seizures in one day.
What is a generalized seizure and what does it look like in my cat?
- A generalized seizure, or grand mal seizure, occurs when abnormal electrical activity involves both sides of a cat's brain.
- Symptoms include a loss of consciousness, falling over, and involuntary movements like muscle twitching, limb paddling, or jaw snapping.
- Cats often lose control of their bladder or bowels during these episodes.
Is it a medical emergency if my cat has a seizure?
- Urgency Level: High. Any seizure involving a loss of consciousness is considered a veterinary emergency and requires immediate investigation.
- Life-Threatening Duration: If a seizure lasts more than five minutes, your cat is in a life-threatening state.
- Cluster Seizures: Multiple seizures within a 24-hour period are extremely dangerous and require immediate emergency hospital care.
How does recording a video of the episode help my veterinarian triage my cat?
- If safe to do so, record a video of the episode, ensuring you keep your hands away from the cat's mouth.
- A video helps the vet distinguish a true seizure from similar conditions like fainting (syncope) or vestibular episodes.
- Observing physical markers in a video allows the veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of neurological dysfunction.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In an unconscious cat, rapid detection of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is vital. Assess for CPA by observing chest excursions and checking for corneal or palpebral reflexes; absence of these may indicate CPA. To control persistent status epilepticus, diazepam can be administered as a constant-rate infusion at 0.5-1 mg/kg/hr. If seizures persist after diazepam boluses (0.5-2 mg/kg IV, repeated up to three times at 5-10 minute intervals), a constant-rate infusion of diazepam at 0.5-2 mg/kg/hr can be considered. Propofol can be given as a constant rate infusion at 0.1-0.6 mg/kg/min, followed by a loading dose of phenobarbital (if the animal is not already on phenobarbital) of 2-4 mg/kg, IV, every 6 hr for a total of four doses. Levetiracetam at 40-60 mg/kg IV, SC, or rectally can be used if hepatic conditions preclude phenobarbital use. Resume oral anticonvulsants as soon as possible if currently being administered.
Chapter: Emergency, General Principles, Cardiopulmonary
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1659)