Stroke-Induced Blindness In Cats: What You Need To Know

Cats can experience strokes, also known as cerebrovascular accidents, which occur when there is a sudden interruption to the blood supply to the brain. While strokes are rare in cats, they can cause blindness, as well as other symptoms such as stumbling, head-pressing, and weakness. If you suspect your cat is having a stroke, seek immediate veterinary care.

What are the symptoms of a stroke in cats?

Strokes in cats are rare but serious, and they require immediate veterinary attention. A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, occurs when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted, often due to a blood clot.

The symptoms of a stroke in cats will typically occur very quickly and will vary depending on what area of the cat's brain is most impacted. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the size of the bleed or blockage and how much of the surrounding brain tissue has been affected.

If your cat is experiencing a stroke, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms occurring suddenly:

• Abnormal eye movements
• Falling and/or circling
• Head turning or tilting
• Rapidly moving pupils
• Unevenly sized pupils
• Disorientation and seeming to lose awareness of their surroundings
• Pressing their head against a hard object like a wall
• Circling repetitively
• Collapse
• Blindness
• Stumbling
• Seizures
• Sudden death
• Abrupt changes in behaviour

Keep in mind that these symptoms are not specific to strokes, and other diseases that affect the brain can cause similar issues. Your vet will help determine whether a stroke or another brain disease caused your cat's symptoms.

What causes a stroke in cats?

Strokes, or cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs), in cats are rare but serious and require immediate veterinary attention. They occur when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted, often due to a blood clot. This is known as an ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke in cats. Sometimes, strokes can be caused by bleeding in the brain, known as a hemorrhagic stroke.

Anything that can block an artery supplying the cat's brain can cause a stroke. This could be a blood clot, such as a thrombus or embolus, that lodges in a blood vessel in the brain. This is also known as a thromboembolism or an embolism.

Cerebral bleeding from head trauma can also cause a stroke. This can be caused by bleeding disorders such as a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) or exposure to certain types of rodenticides. In addition, parasites that travel to the brain can also cause strokes in cats.

Strokes in cats can also be caused by underlying illnesses that cause an artery to narrow or become clogged, such as cancer within or spreading to the brain, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or heart disease.

While strokes in cats are rare, they can be quite serious and require immediate veterinary care. If you notice any signs of a stroke in your cat, such as stumbling, seizures, or sudden collapse, contact your vet right away.

How are strokes in cats diagnosed?

If you suspect 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 perform a thorough physical examination of your cat, review their medical history, and ask about the symptoms you have observed, including when they first appeared and whether they have changed over time. They will then conduct a series of diagnostic tests to rule out other possible causes and confirm the presence of a stroke.

Diagnostic tests may include:

• Blood work
• Imaging, typically a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a computerised tomography (CT) scan
• Neurological assessments
• Blood pressure reading
• Blood clotting analysis
• Fecal exam
• Urinalysis
• Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid
• D-dimer blood test

These tests help rule out underlying conditions and confirm the presence of a stroke. MRI scans are considered the ideal diagnostic test for detecting abnormalities in the brain and diagnosing a stroke.

What treatments are available for cats that have had strokes?

Cats that have had strokes require immediate and sometimes ongoing treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for strokes in cats, and treatment is complex. The treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of the stroke, which is not always identifiable. The veterinarian will create an individualised treatment plan to support the cat's recovery.

Strokes in cats are often caused by blood clots, which can either form within a blood vessel in the brain (a thrombosis) or elsewhere in the body and then travel to and lodge in the vessel (an embolism or thromboembolism). This type of stroke is called an ischemic stroke. The other type is a hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds, resulting in blood pressing on and damaging the surrounding brain tissue.

Some treatment options for cats that have had strokes include:

• Oxygen therapy to improve oxygen delivery to damaged brain tissue and promote healing
• Seizure medications to control seizures or reduce pressure within the skull
• Management of any underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes
• Maintaining hydration and adequate nutrition
• Help with urination, defecation, cleanliness, and comfort
• Physical rehabilitation to address any persistent neurological deficits
• Physiotherapy to improve movement
• Medication to lower high blood pressure

Cats that receive speedy treatment within the first 24 hours often make a full recovery within a few weeks. However, depending on the cause, they may be at risk of another stroke in the future.

Can cats recover from strokes?

Cats can and do recover from strokes, but treatment is complex and there is no guarantee of a full recovery. The prognosis depends on the underlying cause of the stroke, the cat's overall health, and the severity of the stroke. Some cats will recover most of their motor functions and movement, but others may be left with permanent neurological problems.

Strokes in cats are rare but serious, and immediate veterinary care is required to give the animal the best chance of recovery. The treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the stroke, if this can be identified. In many cases, the exact cause remains unknown. However, various underlying medical conditions can increase a cat's risk of stroke, including trauma such as a head injury, parasites that travel to the brain, cancer within or spreading to the brain, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or heart disease.

The symptoms of a stroke in a cat will vary depending on which area of the brain is affected and how much brain tissue has been impacted. Symptoms include abnormal eye or head movements, stumbling, circling, head pressing, disorientation, seizures, collapse, and sudden death. Symptoms will typically occur very quickly and be at their worst approximately 24 hours after the stroke.

If you suspect your cat is having a stroke, take them to a veterinary clinic or animal hospital immediately. The veterinarian will perform a physical examination and various diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and identify any underlying causes. These tests may include blood work, imaging (such as CT scans or MRI), blood clotting analysis, and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the veterinarian will develop an individualized treatment plan to support the cat's recovery. Treatment options may include medication to lower high blood pressure, anti-seizure medication, oxygen therapy, physical rehabilitation, and assistance with comfort and cleanliness. Hospitalization is usually required, and the recovery process may take a prolonged period of time, including vigorous physiotherapy and ongoing at-home care.

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