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My cat goes into a coma when he sleeps

post #1 of 9
1/3/12 at 9:08am
Thread Starter 

 

I have to ask you guys about something, cuz I really need some help! 
 
This is very strange and I have no idea why it is happening. When my cat is sleeping, he sometimes goes into a "deep sleeping coma". He can fall asleep as a normal cat, but suddenly it can seem like he is dead or something. I can poke him, shake his head, lift his legs up and shake his whole body without him reacting to it.. It sounds strange, I know, and it is very hard to describe.. Therefore I've uploaded a video of it to show you exactly what I mean. Check it out here. This is what happens during the "coma". Strange, right? Almost funny..

 
 
The first time it happend, I seriously though he was head. He was not reacting to anything, and I almost started crying. I had to slap his face or make a very high sound to make him wake up. Is this normal? At first, it didn't happend very often, but now he goes into this "deep sleeping coma" almost every day.. It would be comforting to hear about other cats doing this to, and it would be even more comforting to hear WHY they do it. Does someone know anything? Should I take him to a vet or something? 
 
- TK

Edited by Mysn - 1/3/12 at 9:20am
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post #2 of 9
1/3/12 at 9:23am

Hi there welcome along to TCS :)

 

I dont think I have seen a cat fall into a deep sleep like that, does he act normal in every other way? 

 

I know I havent helped but there will be someone along that will be able to help better than me...

 

Do you see a regular vet there would be no harm in giving them a ring and asking to ease your mind

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post #3 of 9
1/3/12 at 9:36am
My old boy (nearly 17) sleeps HARD at times, and I do what you are doing to him for a short time before he wakes up. I'll talk to him, shake his paw and lift his head, and if he doesn't wake up by then I gently pick him up, which always wakes him.

What you are doing is far beyond what I would expect to be normal. If it were me, I'd suspect neurological problems and bring him to a vet. This is not normal by any means, and I have no idea if the condition that causes your baby to sleep so hard would also cause other issues.
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post #4 of 9
1/3/12 at 9:42am
First of all, welcome to TCS. You've come to a great place to meet other cat lovers and learn more about your cat. He's beautiful.
TCS policy does not allow links to YouTube, so I've embedded your video in your message. For future reference, there is a tutorial on how to embed YouTube videos in the Fur Pictures and Videos Only forum.

On to your question. There are several different things that might be happening with your cat. Best possible scenario is that he's just playing with you. Not so good is that he might be having some kind of seizure activity. How long do the "coma" episodes last? Is there any particular activity that seems to trigger them? I'd suggest you take him to a vet to get him thoroughly checked out.

I've not seen this in any of my cats, but there may be someone else here who has.
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post #5 of 9
1/3/12 at 1:40pm

Actually, I think this is perfectly normal.  While a cat typically "sleeps" something like 18 hours per day, much of that sleep is fairly aware of his surroundings.  A few minutes of each sleep cycle is like you show.  I've mistaken my cats for dead, several times, and caused my own heart attacks!  But the cat is perfectly paralyzed; this is also when he is likely to be dreaming.  It can really scare you! 

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post #6 of 9
1/3/12 at 4:23pm
How old is he? I notice this mostly in kittens and older cats, but I'm sure some young adult cats do it too. You can bring it up the next time he's at the vet's, but it's probably entirely normal.

Ferrets do this all the time, and it really can be scary! But once you know to expect it, it's also sort of funny. . .tongue.gif.
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post #7 of 9
1/4/12 at 2:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willowy View Post

How old is he? I notice this mostly in kittens and older cats, but I'm sure some young adult cats do it too. You can bring it up the next time he's at the vet's, but it's probably entirely normal.
Ferrets do this all the time, and it really can be scary! But once you know to expect it, it's also sort of funny. . .tongue.gif.


He is almost 2 years now. 1year and 7months to be exact! I've heard that a lot of kittens does this. Is Mys a young cat or a kitten when he is 1,7years? I'll definitely talk to the vet about it next time we're there. Its funny now that I know it is most likely not dangerous! 

 

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post #8 of 9
1/4/12 at 3:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post

Actually, I think this is perfectly normal.  While a cat typically "sleeps" something like 18 hours per day, much of that sleep is fairly aware of his surroundings.  A few minutes of each sleep cycle is like you show.  I've mistaken my cats for dead, several times, and caused my own heart attacks!  But the cat is perfectly paralyzed; this is also when he is likely to be dreaming.  It can really scare you! 


 

Sounds logically that they do this every now and then trough their 18 hours of sleep, even though it is scary when you don't know whats going on. It usually starts with small "twitches" in his legs and mouth. Then he goes into the deep coma where nothing but a loud shout can wake him up! Strange.. But it comforts me to know that it definitely isn't something wrong with him! Thanks.

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post #9 of 9
1/4/12 at 3:24am

My Rosie can go like that, but if l moved her head as much as you did she would  wake up.

 

I remember the first time l ever saw her like that when she was small she scared the living daylights out of me that l had to shake her awake, but it gave her such a shock that she jumped up and hissed at me so don't slap his face or shout at him. Now l gently shake her paw and softly call her name. She wakes up and looks around to adjust herself just like a human would if their sleep was disturbed, but after a few seconds she's fine.

 

I think it's normal, but mention it to the vet.

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