Stroke And Seizures In Cats: What's The Link?

Cats can have strokes, but it is a rare occurrence. A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, occurs when there is a disruption in the blood supply to the brain, which can lead to brain cell death. While strokes in cats can be serious, they tend to be less severe than strokes in humans. Various underlying medical conditions can increase the risk of strokes in cats, including elevated blood pressure, endocrine or kidney disease, underlying cancer, parasites, and trauma, among others. The signs of a stroke in cats include stumbling, head-pressing, weakness, abnormal eye movements, disorientation, and seizures. If you notice any of these signs in your cat, it is important to seek immediate veterinary care as prompt treatment can improve their chances of recovery.

Cats can have strokes, but it's rare

Strokes in cats are usually caused by underlying medical conditions, such as elevated blood pressure, endocrine or kidney disease, underlying cancer, parasites, trauma, or heart disease. However, in many cases, the exact cause of a stroke remains unknown.

The signs of a stroke in a cat include stumbling, pressing their head against a hard surface, weakness, abnormal eye movements, head tilting or turning, falling, and circling. These symptoms typically occur very quickly and can progress for up to 24-72 hours after the stroke.

If you suspect your cat is having a stroke, seek immediate veterinary attention. The veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination, review the medical history, and conduct diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible causes.

Treatment for strokes in cats focuses on managing the underlying cause, minimizing further damage, and supporting the cat's recovery. This may include medications, rehabilitation, and supportive care. With prompt and effective treatment, cats can recover well from strokes, although the prognosis varies depending on the severity, underlying cause, and promptness of treatment.

Symptoms of a stroke in cats

Strokes in cats occur when there is a sudden interruption to the blood supply to the brain, often due to a blood clot. They are rare but serious and require immediate veterinary attention. Cats of any age or breed can have strokes, but they are most commonly diagnosed in cats that are about nine years old.

The symptoms of a stroke in cats will vary depending on what area of the cat's brain is most impacted. Typically, a cat's symptoms will be most severe between 24 to 72 hours after the stroke, and they may include:

• Rapidly moving pupils
• Unevenly sized pupils
• Disorientation and loss of awareness of their surroundings
• Pressing their head against a hard object
• Circling repetitively
• Stumbling
• Falling
• Head turning or tilting
• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Abnormal eye movements
• Vision loss
• Seizures
• Sudden collapse
• Abrupt changes in behaviour or personality

If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, contact your vet right away. They will be able to recommend an appropriate treatment plan to address your cat's symptoms and any underlying medical conditions.

What to do if you think your cat is having a stroke

Firstly, don't panic. Although strokes are serious and require immediate veterinary attention, cats tend to suffer less severe side effects from strokes than humans. With early and effective treatment, your cat may be able to make a full recovery.

Recognising the signs of a stroke

Cats can exhibit a range of symptoms when having a stroke. These may include:

• Abnormal eye movements
• Falling and/or circling
• Head turning or tilting
• Pressing their head against a hard object
• Stumbling or loss of balance or coordination
• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Disorientation or confusion
• Changes in behaviour or personality
• Seizures

Symptoms will usually appear suddenly and be at their worst around 24 hours after the stroke has occurred.

What to do if you suspect your cat is having a stroke

If you suspect your cat is having a stroke, seek immediate veterinary attention. If your family veterinarian is unavailable, go to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital. Your vet will perform a thorough physical examination of your cat, review their medical history, and conduct diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for strokes in cats

The treatment approach for strokes in cats will focus on managing the underlying cause, minimising further damage, and supporting your cat's recovery. Treatment options may include:

• Medications: Depending on the cause and severity of the stroke, your veterinarian may prescribe medications to reduce inflammation, prevent blood clots, or manage underlying conditions.
• Rehabilitation: Physical therapy, including exercises and range-of-motion activities, can help cats regain strength and mobility.
• Supportive care: Cats may require hospitalisation for monitoring, intravenous fluids, and assistance with feeding and elimination, depending on the severity of their symptoms.

How strokes in cats are diagnosed

If you suspect that your cat has had a stroke, it is important to seek immediate veterinary attention. Your family veterinarian will likely refer you to a veterinary neurologist who can provide more advanced diagnostics and treatment.

The veterinarian will first perform a thorough physical examination of your cat, reviewing their medical history and asking you about any symptoms you have observed, how quickly they came on, and whether they have changed over time. They will then conduct a range of diagnostic tests to rule out other possible causes and confirm the presence of a stroke.

These diagnostic tests may include:

• Blood work, including blood clotting analysis
• Imaging, typically an MRI scan, to detect abnormalities in the brain
• Neurological assessments
• Urinalysis
• Fecal exam to check for parasites
• Blood pressure reading
• Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid

It is important to note that diagnosing a stroke in cats can be challenging because many other conditions can present similar clinical signs. Therefore, ruling out other possibilities is often necessary through extensive testing.

Treatment options for cats that have had strokes

Cats that have had strokes require immediate and sometimes ongoing treatment. While strokes are less common in cats than in humans, they can be serious and require immediate veterinary care.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for strokes in cats. Treatment options will depend on the underlying cause of the stroke, the severity of the symptoms, and the overall health of the cat. Here are some possible treatment options for cats that have had strokes:

Medications

Depending on the cause and severity of the stroke, your veterinarian may prescribe medications to reduce inflammation, prevent blood clots, or manage underlying conditions. For example, anti-seizure medications may be given to control seizures or reduce pressure within the skull. Additionally, if your cat has high blood pressure, your veterinarian may prescribe daily medication to help manage it.

Rehabilitation

Physical therapy, including exercises and range-of-motion activities, can help cats regain strength and mobility. Some specific types of physical therapy treatments include therapeutic ultrasound, cold or low-level laser therapy, electrical stimulation, therapeutic exercises, massage, or even an underwater treadmill.

Supportive Care

Cats may require hospitalization for monitoring, intravenous fluids, and assistance with feeding and elimination. They may also need help with urination, defecation, and comfort and cleanliness regarding litter box use.

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy can be used to improve oxygen delivery to damaged brain tissue and promote healing.

Diet and Nutrition

It is important to provide your cat with a balanced and nutritious diet to support their overall health and recovery.

Monitoring

Monitor your cat's behavior, appetite, and litter box habits, and report any changes to your veterinarian. This will help the veterinarian assess your cat's recovery and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Safe and Comfortable Environment

Create a safe and comfortable environment for your cat, minimizing obstacles that may hinder mobility. Offer plenty of love, patience, and reassurance to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Follow-up Care

Even after your cat is discharged from the hospital, you may need to continue with some at-home treatments. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for your cat's care after leaving the hospital, including any prescribed medications.

Frequently asked questions