8-year-old cat with seizures

nerdrock said:

I have been looking to see if I can find a kibble that you could use, but so far I haven't had much luck (I really haven't had that much time, I can do further checking at work on Thursday when I'm working at the pet store). If you call up manufacturers they should be able to give you the sugar content of the food easily. As close to 5% (or lower) is better than higher. It's not something that's really been studied in pet nutrition, but it's part of the way that a lot of people use to help control their epilepsy. So far, it's worked great for my dog. 

As for transitioning to raw, I've been really lucky and all of my pets have taken to it right away so I'm probably not the best to give advice about that. If you search around in the Raw Feeding forum, you should be able to find the information. Carolina, LDG, FeralLvr and many others have been really helpful for that and provide great tips (sorry if I missed anyone!). 

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Thank you for your help!  Nat's seizures seem to have always happened after he's been asleep for awhile.  The majority of them have happened under my bed in the middle of the night.  Still diet could help.  

WhollyCat said:

Ginny, this is a super idea about having a compounding pharmacy compound to a liquid form. Most pharmacies nowadays do this and have tasty flavors that kitty should accept. Your vet can request this and might be able to suggest a pharmacy too.

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Actually the fish flavor liquid pheno is what we tried first.  It was hard for me to catch him and scruff him since he's so big, let alone squirt half a cc in his mouth.  He's been on the transdermal pheno for the past few weeks (apply to pinna of the ear), and now i cannot even catch him to apply it.  He avoids me like the plague and runs and hides from me.  

What time do you give him his last meal? Maybe feeding him just before you go to bed might help?

My brain isn't registering things well right now, but I did want to ask - Pheno comes in pill form, can you medicate Nat w/ pills hidden in canned food, pill pockets, or something? :dk:

YSVW.  I don't feed a raw diet, but sure hope some of the other posters have good suggestions on introducing him to that.  And he is certianly in my *PRAYERS* 

Hi,

I just stumbled upon your post by accident. I understand your pain.  I just lost my 11 yo cat that I loved more than any other the Thursday after Easter.

So I know how desperately you want to find something to help him.

I think this may be what you're looking for:

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/PetAlive-EaseSure/230023.aspx

(sorry, I edited this - the other one was shopping results)

It's called PetAlive EaseSure.  Google that and you may find it cheaper somewhere else.

I hope that is what you were talking about! [emoji]9829[/emoji]

Ginny said:

I do have Rescue Remedy on hand already and i will add a few drops to their water to see what happens, but it was some kind of homeopathy capsules and drops.  It would be so great if i can get Nat to accept medicine that helps in his water.  

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Ginny, you can apply this to his front paws, etc. I've even put some on my hands and then petted my kitties in places where they normally groom themselves. As long as it is ingested it, it might help.

Since he's hiding from you, do you have an interactive toy, like Da Bird, to entice him out for some fun time, since he's associating you with "Uh-oh, something crappy is gonna happen to me if I come out!" If he comes out give him some favorite treats, cuddle, and soothe him without giving any meds--he needs to associate you with fun, good stuff to regain his trust.

nerdrock said:

What time do you give him his last meal? Maybe feeding him just before you go to bed might help?

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I feed them between 5 and 7pm.  Depends when i get home from work.  Some days the "informers" tell me to feed them earlier than other days  

Tarasgirl06 said:

YSVW.  I don't feed a raw diet, but sure hope some of the other posters have good suggestions on introducing him to that.  And he is certianly in my *PRAYERS* 

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Thank you!  

JudyS said:

Hi,

I just stumbled upon your post by accident. I understand your pain.  I just lost my 11 yo cat that I loved more than any other the Thursday after Easter.

So I know how desperately you want to find something to help him.

I think this may be what you're looking for:

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/PetAlive-EaseSure/230023.aspx

(sorry, I edited this - the other one was shopping results)

It's called PetAlive EaseSure.  Google that and you may find it cheaper somewhere else.

I hope that is what you were talking about! [emoji]9829[/emoji]

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I will check out that link and let you know, thank you!  Judy, I am so sorry to hear that you just lost your beloved kitty.  They become like our children, don't they?  The pain of losing them is so hard, i know how you are feeling.  If you need to talk let me know, i will be glad to listen. <3 

WhollyCat said:

Ginny, you can apply this to his front paws, etc. I've even put some on my hands and then petted my kitties in places where they normally groom themselves. As long as it is ingested it, it might help.

Since he's hiding from you, do you have an interactive toy, like Da Bird, to entice him out for some fun time, since he's associating you with "Uh-oh, something crappy is gonna happen to me if I come out!" If he comes out give him some favorite treats, cuddle, and soothe him without giving any meds--he needs to associate you with fun, good stuff to regain his trust.

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Very good tips, thank you WhollyCat!  I'll have to google Da Bird (lol!), i've never heard of it before.

Ginny said:

Very good tips, thank you WhollyCat!  I'll have to google Da Bird (lol!), i've never heard of it before.

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OMGoodness! My kitties go wild over this toy! It so satisfies their need to hunt and capture prey. I let mine catch it and hold it for a bit so they don't get frustrated over not actually "catching their prey." Here's a link to check it out: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11643 Under the first picture is a video that you can click on to play to see it in action. It did take a bit for me to figure out what motions my three liked best, but then it was game on!

I even bought the three extra toys to hook up to the end of the pole/string. I'm such a sap when it comes to my babies, LOL.

Update on Nat:

The last seizures he had were early this last Monday morning - 4/23  - one at 1:15am and the other at 4:20am.  The first lasted about 5 seconds, the 2nd one lasted about 10 seconds, both less than the usual 15 to 20 seconds and no shortness of breath/recovery time afterwards as usual.  This is the longest he's gone without a seizure, but i'm still waiting for it.  I'm not ready to be optimistic yet, neither is the vet.  The last phenobarb he had was Thursday a week ago.  His right eye has looked a little discolored to me - like a few shades darker - for the past 3 or 4 weeks.  It hasn't gotten worse and the last time the vet has looked at it she saw nothing wrong. Still it bothers me.  He's not back to himself 100% but at least now her purrs and he lets me pet him, while i'm lying down in bed.  I guess he figures i can't exactly hold a syringe while my head is on the pillow, lol.  He still runs from me if i approach him too fast.  

BTW, it's "Vet Select Seizure Formula" on the Allergicpet.com site.  I found it!  I've read the testimonials, and it sounds too good to be true.  Just add a few drops to kitty's food twice a day and no more seizures?  No matter what the cause of the seizures?  I just don't know if i can trust that or not.  Is anyone else familiar with this or have any experience using it?  Thanks!

Ginny

My Gwen had what they think were petite seizures... She would suddenly get a little stiff and walk very wobbly, staggering in a circle, then lay down - lasted about 1-2 minutes and then okay after that.  I think she's been better since I increased her water intake, always filling the bowl full. BTW, I've also switched to a grain-free diet for her (By Nature and other brands except Wellness), and that seemed to help with overall health.   Best wishes. 

You know how to spot a scam or a quack - something sounds too good to be true.

Another great source for daBird:  http://www.CatClaws.com  This is one of our all-time favorite sites since paper catalog days! and they also rescue, foster, and adopt cats, so they're really good folks.  Be sure to visit their site and their office cats! 

Thank you Tarasgirl!  

Update on Nat, this past 2 weeks he's had far less seizures than before.  The last one was on April 30. Nat doesn't exactly seem like his old self but now he's not scared of me.  The last pheno i gave him was on April 30 after the last seizure. I don't know if i am doing anything different than before.  Same food, same everything as before.  I dunno.  

You're so very welcome; and you know what they say:  "If it works, don't fix it!" 

Tara can you please advise me? Im overwhelmed right now with my mom sick in the hospital and Nat being sick- I do not have pet insurance and he needs a Ct and spinal tap. What would you suggest as far as resources? I am sorry I can't put more thought into this MSG since my phone is about to die again - I need to go into much more detail so u understand better - u can email me directly at : [email protected] - thank u !!
Gin