Skip to main content
Elsevier - PMC COVID-19 Collection logoLink to Elsevier - PMC COVID-19 Collection
. 2005 Jul 8;13(3):152–158. doi: 10.1016/S1096-2867(98)80036-4

Feline epilepsy

Karen L Kline 1,1
PMCID: PMC7129245  PMID: 9775505

Abstract

The diagnosis and management of seizures in the cat require an understanding of the more common diseases that predispose to feline epilepsy. Feline seizures may occur secondary to intracranial or extracranial disease. Intracranial causes include inflammatory, neoplastic, vascular, and traumatic disorders. Extracranial causes include various metabolic and toxic insults. Previous brain insults that are no longer active may leave “seizure foci.” Idiopathic epilepsy is uncommon in the cat relative to the dog but should be considered if no cause can be found. Regardless of the etiology, ictal events in cats can manifest themselves in multiple forms and levels of severity. Therapy should be directed at controlling seizure frequency and treating the underlying cause. An aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach to feline epilepsy may improve prognosis and lead to a favorable outcome.

References

  • 1.Schwartz-Porsche D, Kaiser E. Feline Epilepsy. In: Indrieri RJ, editor. Vol 1. Lippincott; Philadelphia, PA: 1989. pp. 628–649. (Problems in Veterinary Medicine). [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Oliver JE. Seizure Disorders and Narcolepsy. In: Oliver, Hoerlin, editors. Vol 1. WB Saunders; Philadelphia, PA: 1987. pp. 285–302. (Veterinary Neurology). [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Parent J, Quesnel AD. Seizures in cats. Vet Clin North Am (Small Animal Practice) 1996;26:811–825. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Fenner WR. Epilepsy. In: August JR, editor. Vol (2) 1994. pp. 437–447. (Consultation in Feline Medicine). [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Kay WJ. Epilepsy in Cats. JAAHA. 1975;11:77–82. [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Fenner WR. Seizures and Head Trauma. Vet Clin North Am (Small Anim Pract) 1981;11:31–48. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(81)50004-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Gorden LE, Thacher C, Matthisen DT. Results of Craniotomy for the Treatment of Cerebral Meningioma in 42 cases. Veterinary Surg. 1994;23:94–100. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1994.tb00452.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Nafe LA. Meningiomas in Cats: A Retrospective Clinical Study of 36 Cases 174. JAVMA. 1979;11:124–1227. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Kornegay JN. Altered Mental Attitude, Seizures, Blindness, Circling, Compulsive Walking. Forebrain Diseases and Multiple Neurologic Deficits. Problems in Vet Med. 1991;3:391–449. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Noonan M, Kline KL, Meleo K. Lymphoma of the Central Nervous System: A Retrospective Study of 18 Cats. The Compendium. 1997;10:497–503. [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Braund KG, Brewer BD, Mayhew IG. Inflammatory, Infectious, Immune, Parasitic and Vascular Diseases. In: Oliver, Hoerlin, editors. Vol 1. 1987. pp. 216–254. (Veterinary Neurology). [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Kline KL, Joseph RJ, Averill DA. Feline Infectious Peritonitis with Neurologic Involvement: Clinical and Pathologic Findings in 24 Cats. JAAHA. 1994;30:111–118. [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Krum S, Johnson K, Wilson J. Hydrocephalus Associated with the Noneffusive Form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis. JAVMA. 1975;167:746–748. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14.Schultze AE, Cribb AE, Tvedten HW. Eosinophilic Meningoencephalitis in a Cat. JAAHA. 1986;22:623–627. [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Quesnel AD, Parent JM, McDonnell W. Diagnostic Evaluation of Cats with Seizure Disorders: 30 Cases (1991–1993) JAVMA. 1997;210:65–71. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Plummer SB, Wheeler SJ, Thrall DE. Computed Tomography of Primary Inflammatory Brain Disorders in Dogs and Cats. Vet Radiology and Ultrasound. 1992;33:307–312. [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Lindsay DS, Blagburn BL, Dubey JP. Feline Toxoplasmosis and the Importance of the Toxoplasma gondii ooyst. The Compendium. 1997;19:448–459. [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Holliday TA. Clinical Aspects of Some Encephalopathies of Domestic Cats. Vet Clin North Am (Small Anim Pract) 1971;1:367–378. doi: 10.1016/s0091-0279(71)50038-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.Rand JS, Parent J, Jacobs R. Reference interval for feline cerebrospinal fluid: Cell count and cytologic features. Am J Vet Res. 1990;51:1044–1048. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Rand JS, Parent J, Jacobs R. Reference interval for feline cerebrospinal fluid: Biochemical and serologic variables, IgG concentration and electrophoretic fraction. Am J Vet Res. 1990;51:1049–1054. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21.Rand JS, Parent J, Percy D. Clinical, cerebrospinal fluid and histologic data from thirty-four cats with primary noninflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Can Vet J. 1994;35:174–181. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 22.Zaki FA, Nafe LA. Ischaemia encephalopathy and focal granulomatous meningoencephalitis in the cat. J Small Anim Pract. 1980;21:429–438. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1980.tb01370.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23.DeLahunta A. Upper Motor Neuron System. In: DeLahunta A, editor. Veterinary Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology. Ed 2. Saunders; Philadelphia, PA: 1983. pp. 144–145. [Google Scholar]
  • 24.Rand JS, Parent J, Percy D. Clinical, cerebrospinal fluid and histologic data from thirty-four cats with primary noninflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Can Vet J. 1994;35:103–110. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 25.O'Brien D, Kline KL. Metabolic Encephalopathies. In: August JR, editor. Vol. 3. Saunders; Philadelphia, PA: 1997. pp. 373–379. (Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine). [Google Scholar]
  • 26.Khanna C, Bienzle D. Polycythemia vera in a cat: bone marrow culture in erythropoietin-deficient medium. JAAHA. 1994;30:45–49. [Google Scholar]
  • 27.Watson AD, Moore AS, Helfand SC. Primary erthrocytesis in the cat: Treatment with Hydroxyurea. J Small Anim Pract. 1994;35:320–325. [Google Scholar]
  • 28.Joseph RJ, Peterson ME. Review and Comparison of Neuromuscular and Central Nervous System manifestations of hyperthyroidism in cats and humans. Progress Vet Neurology. 1992;3:114–119. [Google Scholar]
  • 29.Berger B, Whiting PG, Breznock EM. Congenital Feline Portosystemic Shunts. JAVMA. 1986;188:517–521. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30.Scavelli TD, Hornbuckle WE, Roth L. Portosystemic Shunts in Cats: Seven Cases (1976–1984) JAVMA. 1986;189:317–325. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 31.Howerton TL, Shell LG. Neurologic Manifestations of Altered Serum Glucose. Progress Vet Neurology. 1992;3:57–64. [Google Scholar]
  • 32.Hawks D, Hawkins KL, Rosebury WS. Insulin-secreting Pancreatic (islet cell) carcinoma in a cat. J Vet Int Med. 1992;6:193–196. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1992.tb00336.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33.Osweiler GD, Carson TL, Buck WB, VanGelder GA. Kendall/Hunt; Dubuque, IA: 1985. Clinical and Diagnostic Veterinary Toxicology, (ed 3) [Google Scholar]
  • 34.Quesnel AD, Parent JM, McDonnell W. Clinical Management and Outcome of Cats with Seizure Disorders: 30 cases (1991–1993) JAVMA. 1997;210:72–77. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice are provided here courtesy of Elsevier

RESOURCES