TL;DR: Feline seizures are urgent medical events, especially if they last more than two minutes, which requires immediate emergency veterinary intervention. Recording a video of the episode can help your veterinarian quickly differentiate seizures from other conditions for a more accurate diagnosis.
What exactly is a feline seizure and what symptoms will my cat show?
- A sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain.
- Collapsing or stiffening of the body.
- Paddling of the legs.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control.
- A distressing experience that requires calm observation to help your pet.
Is my cat’s seizure considered a medical emergency?
Urgency Level: High.
- Any seizure lasting longer than two minutes is a critical medical emergency (status epilepticus).
- Prolonged seizures prevent the brain from cooling, leading to potential organ damage or hyperthermia.
- If a seizure persists for this duration, stop reading and contact an emergency veterinarian immediately.
How does capturing a video of my cat's seizure help with veterinary triage?
- Priority one is keeping your cat safe from falls or sharp objects.
- If a second person is available, recording a short video provides vital diagnostic evidence.
- Videos help vets distinguish true seizures from fainting, heart issues, or vestibular disease.
- Visual records allow for a faster, more accurate diagnosis once you arrive at the clinic.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
For persistent status epilepticus in cats, diazepam can be administered at 0.5-1 mg/kg/hr as a constant-rate infusion. Alternatively, if the cat has a preexisting hepatic condition that precludes the use of phenobarbital, levetiracetam may be given at 40-60 mg/kg IV, SC, or rectally, resulting in a therapeutic blood level that will persist for 9 hours. Sodium pentobarbital can also be used in cats at 2-15 mg/kg, IV, to effect to stop motor activity. Propofol can be administered at 2.5-4 mg/kg, IV, to effect to stop motor activity, or via constant rate infusion at 0.1-0.3 mg/kg/min to effect.
Chapter: Neurology, Emergency, Pharmacology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1220)