PLEASE HELP - Violent Twitching

I have taken a video of my cat while having an "attack". At first these violent twitches only occurred when I made a sharp rapid noise such as a kiss* noise or a ding ding ding with a spoon on a bowl. Now just at random times he will have these violent twitches that sometimes even make him lose balance. I have taken him to the vet and no one seems to know what is going on. The video is on youtube, any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

Wow, that's really interesting/worrying. I assume the table he's sitting on was a bit wobbly as well, or was all just him twitching?

Would you be willing to pay for a CT/MRI to see if there's something going on in his brain?

I have already done all that the vet could do, and the table only wobbled as he twitched

All of my cat's behaviors have been completely normal, the only thing that is varied is the violent twitching. He is still responsive to me, food, and has had no bathroom issues. He is 16 and the vet said he wishes some kittens had the blood that he has... all is normal according to the vet

How's his kidney function? Sometimes when the toxicity in the blood is high, they will twitch. Have you had a blood test done to test kidney function?

Originally Posted by stephanietx

How's his kidney function? Sometimes when the toxicity in the blood is high, they will twitch. Have you had a blood test done to test kidney function?

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We have had 2 different blood tests done and both vets couldn't have been more pleased with the results

How long has this been going on, how long does the twitching last, and do you notice any type of pattern to time of day and what was going on when they start?

Originally Posted by stephanietx

How long has this been going on, how long does the twitching last, and do you notice any type of pattern to time of day and what was going on when they start?

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They last only the time directly after the noise is made, there is never an extended time in which they occur. As for a pattern I do not see one at all, they are directly triggered by rapid noises around him, especially sharp rapid noises, but even the crumple of a piece of paper can trigger them.

It seems as though it *has* to be neurological. Is there any vet schools near you? They may be interested in trying to help?

Having read all the responses, and watching the video I can't help but agree that it is something neurological. I'm thinking maybe something wrong with the inner ear could be the culprit too. I only say this because the twitching lasts only as long as the noise is present. I'd find a vet specialist in your area that concentrates on neuroligical issues.

Originally Posted by NutroMike

Having read all the responses, and watching the video I can't help but agree that it is something neurological. I'm thinking maybe something wrong with the inner ear could be the culprit too. I only say this because the twitching lasts only as long as the noise is present. I'd find a vet specialist in your area that concentrates on neuroligical issues.

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Can you go into a little more detail on the inner ear possibility and can others share their opinion on the possibility that it is ear related?

Looks like sound triggered epilepsy to me... It's not that uncommon so surely they've tested for that? Find a vet university, they should have the equipment needed to test him.

I agree with Nutro Mike's idea on the inner ears based on what we have been through. From my experience it can be hard to diagnose hearing loss in cats when there is no infection or mite problem going on.

We rescued a kitty in really bad shape 8 yrs ago. She is still with us. She did a similar twitch only in a panic like sense and would run & hide when my son snapped or blew bubbles with his gum and other startling noises. Vets said once the illnesses were all cleaned up she was fine and it was probably behavioral from whatever she went through. She was in the process of losing her hearing...She's been completely deaf for over 6 yrs now and still does great. Communicates, functions and interacts very well. She is even more at peace now that everything doesnt scare her like before.

My first impressions told me this might be epilepsy as Strange Wings suggested but the noise triggering the seizures have me thinking some kind of vestibular problem (middle ear) issue or possibly infection. Seizures trigged by noise in cats is uncommon but not unheard of. I'd take the cat back to the vet for some rule out testing. First thing I'd do is have the vet test for epilepsy. If that is ruled out; have the vet test for vestibular problems. If your vet can not perform these tests, find a vet that can or a vet school that will be able to tackle the problem. Here is a sit with very brief info on it but it concurs with the information I've been able to track down. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ask-Veter...d-seizures.htm

The only thing is, vestibular problems often cause some other symptoms between episodes due to how sensitive the vestibular system is. Maybe the OP isn't noticing this if it is happening? But they didn't mention any eye or balance issues.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

The only thing is, vestibular problems often cause some other symptoms between episodes due to how sensitive the vestibular system is. Maybe the OP isn't noticing this if it is happening? But they didn't mention any eye or balance issues.

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I see no head tilt, nothing with the eyes and no sudden falls...

The eye issue you need to be on the look out for is nystagmus. It's an small involuntary eye twitch, though it too can happen with seizures.

Is there not even the slightest bit of wobbliness to him?

Either way you need a specialist with high end equipment or a university that has it for teaching/research purposes.

My only advice for now is to try to avoid the noise triggers as much as possible since you don't know how serious this is yet.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

The eye issue you need to be on the look out for is nystagmus. It's an small involuntary eye twitch, though it too can happen with seizures.

Is there not even the slightest bit of wobbliness to him?

Either way you need a specialist with high end equipment or a university that has it for teaching/research purposes.

My only advice for now is to try to avoid the noise triggers as much as possible since you don't know how serious this is yet.

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I have to agree with this advice. Sometimes the owner is so concerned they might miss some tiny little things which might give more indications of what is really wrong. This is completely understandable. The interesting part is the cat was completely healthy and this seems like it was a sudden onset. If there were no noise triggers I'd go with the epilepsy scenario but the noise triggers indicate inner ear issues to me. I don't know much about epilepsy. Can sudden noises bring on an epileptic seizure?

In the video, it appears to happen after you make the sound to get your cat's attention. I would bet it is neurological as well. I have an older dog with many of these issues and is otherwise quite happy. The tremors don't seem to bother him much. Good luck with finding the answer.

Originally Posted by NutroMike

I don't know much about epilepsy. Can sudden noises bring on an epileptic seizure?

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Any sensation can bring on an epileptic seizure in animals or humans with epilepsy. Sounds, lights, stress/excitement, smells (this is why perfumes are more dangerous than people realize), touch/sensation, etc. Lack of sleep, dietary triggers, and sometimes no identifiable trigger at all can cause them. Some of these are a little less common in cats, but not completely impossible.