The nervous system of the cat controls nearly all functions of the body. It ensures that your cat can jump on and off the fence, that her heart beats, she can breathe, and she doesn't just let her urine go. The nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves. Disorders of the nervous system can produce very different symptoms; the cat may exhibit abnormal behavior or even walk as if she is drunk. In case of a 'short circuit' in the brain, a cat can have an epileptic seizure, and if certain nerve pathways are severely disrupted, paralysis can be the result. Therefore, veterinary control is always important if a cat shows abnormal behavior or unusual movements.
Symptoms of nervous system disorders in cats
Since the nervous system controls virtually all bodily functions, the symptoms of neurological disorders, as nervous system disorders are also called, can be very diverse. Clear symptoms include:
- An epileptic seizure.
- Paralysis or muscle weakness.
- Drunken gait or ataxia.
- Trembling movements of head or limbs.
Other symptoms are subtler, occur less often, or it is not immediately clear that it is a symptom of a neurological disorder. For example, consider:
- Nocturnal meowing or wandering.
- Pupils that are unequal in size and/or a drooping eyelid on one side.
- Vomiting.
- Apathy.
- Sudden blindness.
- 'Walking on the heels': collapsing through the hind legs.
- Anxiety.
- Neck, back, or headache.
- Abnormal behavior such as sudden aggression or hyperactivity, circling (walking in circles), staring.
- Problems with swallowing / producing excessive saliva.
- Incontinence or inability to urinate (the latter is an emergency!).
Nervous System Disorders in Cats
Neurological disorders in cats can be either congenital or acquired. We are happy to highlight a number of common disorders for you.
Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety and stress can have many different causes, but often there is a disruption in the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, making it essentially a disorder of the nervous system. Medications and dietary supplements for anxious cats, such as Zylkène and Telizen, affect those neurotransmitters.
Permethrin Poisoning in Cats
Permethrin is a substance widely used as a spot-on product (pipette) for flea and tick control in dogs. Permethrin belongs to the pyrethrins. These are insecticides that affect the nerves in insects, causing them to spasm and die. Many insect repellents for flies and wasps also contain pyrethrins. Cats are extremely sensitive to the effects of permethrin and can show signs of poisoning if they are administered a pipette intended for dogs, lick a recently treated dog, or stay in a space sprayed with an insect repellent containing permethrin. Therefore, always use flea and tick products for cats!
A cat with permethrin poisoning will exhibit the following symptoms:
- Producing excessive saliva, refusing to eat, and vomiting.
- Cramps and tremors in the muscles of the legs, ears, and head.
- Epileptic seizures.
- Hyperthermia (too high body temperature) and possibly death.
If you accidentally gave your cat a pipette with permethrin intended for dogs, it is important to immediately shave the area where the pipette was applied and wash your cat with Dawn dish soap. Check the body temperature and cool your cat if the temperature rises above 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit). If your cat shows symptoms, call the vet.
Middle Ear Infection
Ear infections in cats often occur in the middle ear. A middle ear infection (otitis media) can develop if the eardrum ruptures and the inflammation from the ear canal reaches the middle ear in this way. However, what often happens in cats is that the inflammation from the nose and/or throat, usually as part of a cat flu, ascends to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube (the connection between the nasal/throat cavity and the middle ear). Because the vestibular organ is located in the middle ear, a cat with a middle ear infection often has neurological complaints such as a drunken gait.
Nervous System Disorders in Older Cats
In older cats, certain neurological disorders occur more frequently than in younger cats. Older cats with chronic kidney disease sometimes develop a very specific condition due to a potassium deficiency: holding the head and neck down. With diabetes in an advanced stage, neurological disorders often occur in the hind legs as well.
Just like in humans, dementia due to brain aging also occurs in cats. In cats with dementia, the personality changes: they make less contact with other animals or people, their day-night rhythm is disturbed, they sometimes urinate and defecate in the house, and can become very confused. Dementia is a progressive process that cannot be cured. Dietary supplements with omega-3 fatty acids, such as CatOils Vital can support the brain, just like Anibidiol and Puur Choline Extra.
Epilepsy
In epilepsy, a kind of short circuit occurs in the brain. This can lead to an epileptic seizure where the cat loses consciousness, the muscles spasm, she urinates and defecates uncontrollably, and starts foaming at the mouth. It's terrible to experience this as a pet owner. However, epilepsy can also manifest in much subtler ways, such as 'catching flies' (chasing non-existent flies) or muscle tremors.
In very young or old cats, there is often an underlying cause for the epilepsy, such as a brain tumor, hydrocephalus, or a liver shunt. If you suspect that your cat has had an epileptic seizure, it is best to contact your veterinarian.
Nervous system disorders can be quite severe for both the cat and the owner. If you notice changed behavior or mobility in your cat, or if your cat has an epileptic seizure or suddenly seems very dizzy, it is advisable to contact your veterinarian. For anxiety and stress, a good behavior therapist in combination with supportive measures such as dietary supplements like Zylkène or a Feliway diffuser that emits calming pheromones can often mean a lot for you and your cat.
If you have a question about our products or about nervous system disorders in your cat, please contact us!