TL;DR: Involuntary urination during a shaking episode is a serious sign of a seizure or neurological emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention. If shaking lasts longer than two minutes or repeats, seek emergency care right away.
Why does my cat urinate involuntarily while shaking?
Involuntary urination during a shaking episode is a common clinical sign of a seizure or a significant neurological event. When a cat experiences a seizure, they lose voluntary control over their muscles, which often leads to the involuntary release of the bladder or bowels. These episodes may also be caused by severe metabolic imbalances, toxin ingestion, or trauma.
Is it an emergency if my cat urinates during a seizure?
- Urgency Level: High. Any episode involving loss of consciousness, involuntary muscle movements, and loss of bladder control should be treated as a veterinary emergency.
- While a single short seizure may not be immediately life-threatening, it is often a symptom of an underlying condition that requires rapid diagnosis.
- If the shaking lasts longer than two minutes or if your cat has multiple episodes in one day, seek an emergency clinic immediately.
How does a video of my cat's episode help the veterinarian?
- Providing your veterinarian with a video of the episode can be life-saving because cats often behave normally by the time they reach the clinic.
- A video allows the vet to observe the specific nature of the tremors, the cat's level of awareness, and the duration of the event.
- This visual evidence is crucial for differentiating between a seizure, a fainting spell (syncope), or other neurological disorders.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Seizures in cats can manifest with a variety of signs, including urinary incontinence. During a seizure, an affected animal may become belligerent and attack, or conversely, appear depressed and oblivious to their surroundings, refusing to eat or drink. Copious salivation is also common. The severity of signs at any given time is not a reliable prognostic indicator. While the signs may be suggestive of poisoning or other conditions like encephalitis or meningitis should also be considered.
Chapter: Neurology, Urology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1524)