Neuro probs with my Kitten!

kschutz18

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I have a 9 month old male orange tabby. When I got him he had a chest cold which turned into pneumonia in 3 days then was covered in ring worm from head to tail for 3 months. During the pneumonia he had his first "episode" of not being able to walk, screamng and hissing dilated pupils. (He is normally nonverbal and only chirps.) I witnissed the beginning of one episode where he was flopping on the floor and screaming. I picked him up and he was completely rigid. NO incontinence, foaming at the mouth or drooling. He hasn't been able to walk for 3 days. NO balance and his back legs just arent working. eating and drinking and litter box use fine. Blood work fine, and has tested negative for everything else.THis is his third "episode" and each one gets worse and the recovery time is longer. We have been giving him an anti inflammotory pain killer type stuff which seems to help a little. Im stumped and so is my vet. Can anyone help me?
 
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kschutz18

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I believe it is metcam, but he recieved it after the second episode, and he improved both times so far.
 
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kschutz18

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Since all the blood work has come back neg. we are leaning towards siezures or worse like fungal/ viral infection in the brain. The length of his physical recovery is puzzling.
 

laureen227

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Originally Posted by kschutz18

Since all the blood work has come back neg. we are leaning towards siezures or worse like fungal/ viral infection in the brain. The length of his physical recovery is puzzling.
someone recently had a cat w/a fungal infection. here's the thread about it. unfortunately, his cat didn't make it. his vet said the fungus was mostly in Australia & the pacific northwest.
i guess the vet has considered they might be some type of seizure, even w/o the foaming, twitching?
 
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kschutz18

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At the vet on satuday we discussed seizures and hyperstesia but once again the physical symptoms arent matching up. We both agreed to do some research this weekend and see what we could fine. He has been a vet for 25+ years along with his assistant of 27+ and they havent ever seen anything quite like it. We are stumped. Im hoping that we can find something to slow it or even cure it, but my heart is telling me I dont have much longer with my kitty. I have posted this story on numerous sites, and several have had said siezures. Im hoping and praying thats all it is cuz there are drugs for that.
 

mom of 4

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Seizures come in many different types, most of which don't have foaming at the mouth (I've never seen one with foaming). Seizures can cause rigidity or shaking or a repetative movement, they can last seconds to minutes. After the seizure is over, there is usually extreme fatigue. It would be extremely unusual for the difficulty in walking to last for days if this was due to a seizure.

Positive thoughts for all of you.
 

artgecko

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my cat has grand mal (sp?) seizures...full body shakes, incontinence (although not always) and usually some drool (not always)...however, some seizures (petit mal) can be just "blank stares" or "twitching" for a few seconds, etc.

With all seizures usually there is a period of disorientation afterwards. Also, usually there will be a trigger or time of day, activity, etc. that occures before it happens... has there been any such common event/time/etc. in your case? With my cat, it is always after he has been sleeping.

One other thing, some research I've done (online though) says that before the seizure occurs the cat will usually react in some way, i.e. vocalizing, going to or away from the owner, and, in my cat's case, running away... (as if he can *escape* the seizure).

My vet said that in most cases you will never find the cause of the seizures, but that it is important to monitor the duration of the seizure (twitching, etc.) and also the time period of the disorientation afterwards.

Seizure meds may or may not work in your case, but my vet said that with most, you must committ to giving them for the rest of the cat's life or the symptoms could get worse if you discontinue the meds... I decided not to go with the meds as my cat only has a seizure every 2 months or so now and he has other health conditions that complicate matters.

Good luck with your research and I hope that you & your vet will come up with a solution that will work for your cat.

Art
 

meowmmy_aprile

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Have you had your cat scanned for a brain tumor?

I had a dog with very similar issues. We spent months and alot of money trying to figure out what was going on. Finally after the 4th specialist and a scan of his head he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
 
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