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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / September 2004Kitten had seizures
Yesterday, my foster kitten Ana, about 4 months old but underweight (she was a stray just recently brought to the shelter), had a seizure around 4:30 pm. I was taking a nap at the time and heard a thumping noise and meowing. I found her on the floor drooling and looking out of it. I picked her up, held her for a while, looking her over for signs of injury. I put her on the floor to see if she could walk or stand, and she clumsly walked into the wall. I called the vet office our shelter uses and brought her in ASAP. The vet confirmed she must have had a seizure by the way she was acting, and took blood to look for toxoplasmosis and FIP. While I was waiting for her medicine, she had another seizure, and the vet gave her Valium to stop it. She was fine for several hours, still sleepy, but no seizures. She was eating and drinking. Then around midnight, she started having seizures again. I took her to the emergency vet right away. She had 3 seizures in a row, and then another at the emergency. The emergency vet also brought up the possibility of toxoplasmosis, also mentioned a liver shunt, poisoning, or nutrient malabsorption. Since Ana is a shelter cat, I couldn't OK the ultrasound or X-ray right then. They put her on a Valium IV for the night to get her to stop the seizure cycle. Today, Ana is doing much better. The bloodwork came back, and was not indicative of FIP or toxo. The shelter OK'ed further testing, but the bloodwork came back later in the day, and I haven't been able to speak to the vet at the emergency vet since this afternoon. I visited Ana and she looks good. Much perkier and lively. She's on a small dose of valium in her IV. I should also note that she was recovering from a URI, and this past Saturday she had stopped eating and was lethargic. She was at the shelter at the time and I brought her home. I had to syringe feed her and give her sub-q fluids. The vet put her on Amoxicillin at that time. Before the seizures, she had been doing much better. Sorry this got so long. Has anyone had experience with seizures in a kitten? I hate all the waiting to find out what's wrong.  Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com > Yesterday, my foster kitten Ana, about 4 months old but underweight (she was > a stray just recently brought to the shelter), had a seizure around 4:30 pm. [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > Sorry this got so long. Has anyone had experience with seizures in a > kitten? I hate all the waiting to find out what's wrong. I hope I'm wrong - but seizures in kittens are usually the result of hepatic encephalopathy caused by congenital portosystemic shunts. http://maxshouse.com/portosystemic_shunts_pathogenesis_and_pathophysiology.htm http://maxshouse.com/Portosystemic_shunts_Joh.htm http://maxshouse.com/PORTOSYSTEMIC%20SHUNTS%20(Update).htm I really hope this isn't the case. Phil > I hope I'm wrong - but seizures in kittens are usually the result of hepatic > encephalopathy caused by congenital portosystemic shunts. http://maxshouse.com/portosystemic_shunts_pathogenesis_and_pathophysiology.htm > http://maxshouse.com/Portosystemic_shunts_Joh.htm > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Phil Phil, thanks for answering. I was hoping you might. I scanned the pages for the symptoms, and her symptoms do seem consistent with this condition, and I believe this is what the vet was talking about when he mentioned a liver shunt, it was the first thing he brought up. The second set of seizures yesterday followed her eating. I couldn't quite follow everything in your articles, but would an ultrasound definitely show if she has this? On one hand, this is something that can be fixed with surgery. But, the vet mentioned yesterday that if this is what she has, it's a $5,000 operation. If she were my kitten, I would probably do it. I have no idea if the shelter can pay for that type of procedure. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com > > I hope I'm wrong - but seizures in kittens are usually the result of > hepatic > > encephalopathy caused by congenital portosystemic shunts. http://maxshouse.com/portosystemic_shunts_pathogenesis_and_pathophysiology.htm > > http://maxshouse.com/Portosystemic_shunts_Joh.htm > > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > with this condition, and I believe this is what the vet was talking about > when he mentioned a liver shunt, it was the first thing he brought up. Does she have copper-colored irises? The > second set of seizures yesterday followed her eating. Kitten diets are high in protein; high protein meals -especially meat proteins - exacerbate hepatic encephalopathy. Unfortunately, cats and especially kittens require high protein diets. You can't restrict her protein intake very much but you might be able to decrease the intensity of her symptoms by feeding her mostly vegetable protein. Be sure to supplement taurine and arginine - both are crucial for cats. Ammonia is the main toxin you want to eliminate. You can clear some the ammonia from her blood and decrease her symptoms a little more by giving her lactulose. Lactulose causes ammonia to migrate from the blood into the colon where it's trapped and expelled with the feces. Speak to your vet about this. I couldn't quite > follow everything in your articles, but would an ultrasound definitely show > if she has this? Yes - but its dependant on the skill of the operator. A Doppler-equipped ultrasound unit would be ideal because it would probably show the blood flow through the shunt. On one hand, this is something that can be fixed with > surgery. But, the vet mentioned yesterday that if this is what she has, > it's a $5,000 operation. If she were my kitten, I would probably do it. I > have no idea if the shelter can pay for that type of procedure. Not many general practioners are experienced in PSS ligation. Could be your vet is trying to discourage surgery because he's unfamiliar with the technique. I think you could get a much more reasonable price. Try the American College of Veterinary Surgeons 301-913-9550, x. 1 or e-mail acvs@aol.com or the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine http://www.acvim.org/Kittleson/search.htm Please keep me posted - and hopefully tell me I was wrong. Phil > Does she have copper-colored irises? Yes, but I thought that was the color of her eyes. They don't look unusual. Yuo can see a little bit of her eye color in the third picture: www.snittens.com/ana.html > Kitten diets are high in protein; high protein meals -especially meat > proteins - exacerbate hepatic encephalopathy. Unfortunately, cats and [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > protein. Be sure to supplement taurine and arginine - both are crucial for > cats. I just picked her up from the emergency vet. She's been off the Valium and hasn't seized. They said she has been eating quite a bit and hasn't seized following eating, so I'm feeling hopeful. > Ammonia is the main toxin you want to eliminate. You can clear some the > ammonia from her blood and decrease her symptoms a little more by giving her > lactulose. Lactulose causes ammonia to migrate from the blood into the > colon where it's trapped and expelled with the feces. > > Speak to your vet about this. I'm going to print this out and show it to the regular shelter vet when I see her. > Yes - but its dependant on the skill of the operator. A Doppler-equipped > ultrasound unit would be ideal because it would probably show the blood flow > through the shunt. I'm not sure if we're going to have the ultrasound done through our regular shelter vet or the emergency place. I'll have to ask what type of equipment each has. Also, she still needs to have the bile acids bloodwork done. If PSS isn't the cause of her seizures, then we are still left with a mystery. I guess it's always possible she got into some kind of toxin. > Please keep me posted - and hopefully tell me I was wrong. > > Phil Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com I'd be surprised if the shelter was able to examine for and even do this kind of procedure. Our local cat shelter where we got our cat were unable to do this. There are two types of shunt intrahepatic and extrahepatic - the former running internally through the liver and the latter being outside the liver. I imagine the latter type would be easier to deal with surgically but I understand the procedure is only ever performed on young kittens. Our cat is two years old but she looked like a six month old kitten when we adopted her. Lactulose is a good thing to give and we gives ours this though obviously you have to try an even balance so you only get a soft stool and not a runny one. Prior to the lactulose our cats was leaving little dark and very hard brickettes. Your lovely cat is still capable of a good life with this it just takes a bit more care than the usual cat needs. Iain >I'm not sure if we're going to have the ultrasound done through our regular >shelter vet or the emergency place. I'll have to ask what type of equipment >each has. Also, she still needs to have the bile acids bloodwork done. >If PSS isn't the cause of her seizures, then we are still left with a >mystery. I guess it's always possible she got into some kind of toxin. > I'd be surprised if the shelter was able to examine for and even do > this kind of procedure. Our local cat shelter where we got our cat > were unable to do this. She is going to have the ultrasound and bile acids bloodwork tomorrow. Since she is still available for adoption, the kitten coordinator decided that we should do all we can to find out what's wrong with her so we can pass this information on to her new parents. > There are two types of shunt intrahepatic and extrahepatic - the > former running internally through the liver and the latter being > outside the liver. I imagine the latter type would be easier to deal > with surgically but I understand the procedure is only ever performed > on young kittens. Our cat is two years old but she looked like a six > month old kitten when we adopted her. I have no idea yet if the shelter can pay for this type of operation. > Lactulose is a good thing to give and we gives ours this though > obviously you have to try an even balance so you only get a soft stool [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Iain That's good to know, that it can be managed even if she doesn't have the operation. I still don't know yet if this is what she has, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is. Thank you for the information. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", "KellyH" <Kelly@whatever.com> artfully composed this message within <news:2u__c.118020$9d6.41533@attbi_s54> on 06 Sep 2004: > She is going to have the ultrasound and bile acids bloodwork > tomorrow. Since she is still available for adoption, the kitten [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > I have no idea yet if the shelter can pay for this type of > operation. Do you have a website where you advertise the kitties up for adoption? If so, it might help her to both find a home, and have necessary surgery to be honest and put that in her bio. When I was with the local SPCA there was one cat that needed pelvic surgery and the clinic couldn't pay for it, and kept her on easy to digest food so she was comfortable until something could be worked out. She finally was adopted with the knowledge that the surgery was needed and the new family lovingly provided it for her. I've heard of another similar case, too. Though if surgery must be done quickly I'm not sure if that would be possible since it would delay things. Just throwing an idea out... SignatureCheryl > Do you have a website where you advertise the kitties up for > adoption? If so, it might help her to both find a home, and have [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > quickly I'm not sure if that would be possible since it would delay > things. Just throwing an idea out... That's an idea, or maybe we could have a fundraiser for her. We do have a website with all of our adoptable animals on it, acutally I write the descriptions for the cats. It's driving me crazy not knowing what's wrong with her. I'll let you all know what the ultrasound turns up tomorrow. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com > I hope I'm wrong - but seizures in kittens are usually the result of hepatic > encephalopathy caused by congenital portosystemic shunts. http://maxshouse.com/portosystemic_shunts_pathogenesis_and_pathophysiology.htm > http://maxshouse.com/Portosystemic_shunts_Joh.htm > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Phil I tried to answer previously, I apologize if this is repeated. I saw my post was "No longer available on the server" Phil, thanks for answering. I was hoping you might. I scanned the articles for the symptoms and treatment. I had a little trouble following them. Her symptoms do seem consistent with this condition. Her second set of seizures yesterday followed her eating. I think PSS is what the vet was talking about yesterday when he mentioned a liver shunt. It's the first thing he brought up. My take from the articles was that this is fairly curable with surgery. Although, the vet said the surgery would run about $5,000. I have no idea if the shelter can pay for something like that. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com Hi, One of or cats, MAGI, has exactly this problem and experiences seizures. She is generally managed with a low protein diet and supplements which aid in the neutralising of the urea/ammonia which bypass the liver due to the shunt. She also has the most beautifull copper coloured irises though these are actually a sign of this ailment. [BTW: Are we allowed to post photos of our cats on this group? Her irises are really stunning and you'd have to see her pics to see what I mean. She hypnotises me with them to tell the truth!] Anyway, the seizures are treated with phenobarbitone 1/4 tab x 2 daily. Despite this though she still has occasional seizures which are related to changes in the level of humidity and temperature. The last few days here in London, UK have been hot and humid and yesterday and today she has had single seizures. Best thing we find is to be with her and try to gently hold her head when these seizures happen so that when MAGI comes around she sees us with her and protecting her. At one point she had a seizure coming on so I gave her a phenobarbitone earlier than she was due and this seemed to prevent the seizure occuring. However phenobarbitone is toxic to the liver so we have to be very carefull with this line of approach. My biggest fear is if that she fits when in a high place in the flat and falls. We are a three-cat family and I have created lots of cubby-spaces and bolt-holes for the cats some of which are high up and appreciated and used by all the cats variously through the day. So far this has never occured as she paces on the floor when a seizure is coming on. Iain >I hope I'm wrong - but seizures in kittens are usually the result of hepatic >encephalopathy caused by congenital portosystemic shunts. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Phil > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > irises are really stunning and you'd have to see her pics to see what > I mean. She hypnotises me with them to tell the truth!] You can post a link to her pictures, but don't include the file with your post. That's a no-no. > Anyway, the seizures are treated with phenobarbitone 1/4 tab x 2 > daily. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > few days here in London, UK have been hot and humid and yesterday and > today she has had single seizures. Hmmm.. I honestly can't recall what the weather was like when Ana had her seizures. > Best thing we find is to be with her and try to gently hold her head > when these seizures happen so that when MAGI comes around she sees us [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Iain I know what you mean. It's been hard for me to sleep or leave the house since this happened. I'm scared it might happen again and I'm not around to do anything. That you for the account of what it's like having a cat with this condition. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com > [BTW: Are we allowed to post photos of our cats on this group? You can post them on alt.binaries.pictures.animals, or else if they're on a web page, post its link here. Cathy >> [BTW: Are we allowed to post photos of our cats on this group? > >You can post them on alt.binaries.pictures.animals, or else if they're on a >web page, post its link here. > >Cathy I've got this FrontPage Software on my computers and free webspace with my Internet ISP. Doing a "see-me-cats-at-home" webpage might be a good thing to do. Iain >>Sorry this got so long. Has anyone had experience with seizures in a >kitten? I hate all the waiting to find out what's wrong. This is far out there. Cats can get West Nile Virus only if they are ill or weak. Lethargy, loss of appetite and seizures are symptoms. Are you in a WNV area? Was the cat outside during the last 12-16 days? Sometimes when cats are dehydrated they can seizure, being sick and not eating doesn't help. Again, just a way out there thought. > This is far out there. Cats can get West Nile Virus only if they are ill or > weak. Lethargy, loss of appetite and seizures are symptoms. Are you in a WNV > area? Was the cat outside during the last 12-16 days? Sometimes when cats are > dehydrated they can seizure, being sick and not eating doesn't help. Again, > just a way out there thought. She was a stray found in a storm drain about two weeks ago. Only weighed 3 lbs but the vet said she was 4 months from her teeth. I don't think we have West Nile around here. I'm in Eastern MA/Southern NH border area. I'll ask the vet in the morning if he thinks it's a possibility. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com >From: "KellyH" Kelly@whatever.com >Yesterday, my foster kitten Ana, about 4 months old but underweight (she was >a stray just recently brought to the shelter), had a seizure around 4:30 pm. Just a thought, but you haven't used anything like Advantage or other flea pesticide on her, have you? Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm > Just a thought, but you haven't used anything like Advantage or other flea > pesticide on her, have you? > > Lauren > ________ She was treated with Frontline when she came into the shelter, about two weeks ago. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com >From: "KellyH" Kelly@whatever.com >> Just a thought, but you haven't used anything like Advantage or other flea >> pesticide on her, have you? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >She was treated with Frontline when she came into the shelter, about two >weeks ago. I don't know if she could still be reacting to it though. I'd think if she was going to have a reaction, it would be fairly soon after application. But, don't those products worked on a continuous basis? ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm > >From: "KellyH" Kelly@whatever.com > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > going to have a reaction, it would be fairly soon after application. But, > don't those products worked on a continuous basis? I thought that Advantage, Frontline, and Revolution were supposed to be pretty safe. I've read here about the horrible reactions to Hartz products. Has anyone heard anything about severe reactions like that to Frontline? I think it is supposed to work for up to 30 days. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com >From: "KellyH" Kelly@whatever.com >I thought that Advantage, Frontline, and Revolution were supposed to be >pretty safe. Basically they are. But I did read on the government or vet website some reactions were reported. Also, keep in mind, that probably not all vets report all reactions. I'll try to find that info again. It's the website where a vet would report a reaction. I'm thinking perhaps the kitten's liver isn't metabolizing correctly and the flea remedy was becoming a toxin to her. Of course this is all conjecture on my part. I'm thinking too that I believe you said the kitten was found in a storm drain, so she could have gotten into toxins there. Lauren Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm |
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