Has anyone seen anything like this? Seizure-like episode, but probably not a seizure.

Hi,

My cat had two scary episodes in the past week. They looked like what I expect a seizure would look like (I've never actually seen one), but I don't think they were seizures because he didn't lose consciousness. The vet doesn't know what they are. My cat is currently dealing with drastic weight loss and diarrhea, the cause of which is yet to be determined. This is what happened:

I turned to look at my cat, and he was standing with his paw out in a very strange position (the first time it was the front paw, the second time the back). It was as if he'd hurt himself- banged the paw on something - but I had been standing right there, so I know he didn't hurt the paw. He stumbled around for thirty seconds or so on his other legs, and then fell over. He lay on his side with his paws in odd positions (one kind of behind his head). I waved my hand in front of his face: the first time, he seemed out of it, but the second time he appeared to follow my hand movements with his eyes. He stayed in this position for about a minute or so, and then he was able to stand up and acted normally again.

If not a seizure, what could this be?

Seems like a seizure. There is another post around here, a cat named BooBoo who's been having similar episodes. I wonder if they did bloodwork and a urine test on your cat? Not all cats who have seizures lose conciousness in the traditional sense of it, he might have just been dazed for a bit. Could he possibly gotten into anything posionous? Any recently applied flea meds?

It's very unlikely that my cat got into anything poisonous...I think these episodes have something to do with the severe weight loss and diarrhea (we're awaiting the results of his GI bloodwork panel. His kidneys and thyroid are fine).

He didn't urinate or defecate during the episodes, which I know often happens during a seizure.

Possibly worms or anemia? I'm not sure then if they aren't seizures. I hope you can get it under control and his bloodwork comes back good. I am glad the kidneys are well and liver too. Has he had any falls or head trauma that you know of? Also how old is he?

No worms, no falls that I know of. Anemia I don't know, but I assume the blood test would show that.  He's 14, and lost about 4 lbs over a few months ... he went from 9 something lbs to less than 6.  Diarrhea is pure liquid.

The vet has him on the antibiotic tylosin, the probiotic Fortiflora, and prescription hydrolyzed cat food for possible food allergies. But I keep having to mix tuna in the food because he's not crazy over it and has little appetite. The diarrhea hasn't changed over a week. If the blood test results don't give us an answer, he may need an ultrasound or even biopsy.

I actually hope the blood test comes back with a vitamin deficiency because that's easy to treat compared to, say, cancer or something. I know I should be researching all of this online, but I've been avoiding research because I'm really scared of what I'll find.

I guess the episodes may be seizures after all. Can rapid weight loss alone cause seizures?

No, I wouldn't think the rapid weight loss would cause that, I am thinking with the liquid stools that he may have irritiable bowel disease. Also known as IBD. As I understand it, it is a constant inflamation of the intestines and stomach so much so that the cat cannot properly get nutrients from their food even though they eat. I would like to share that my cat Cookie had something similar as yours, he was not having seizures though. I found him as a stray with very explosive liquid stool, no dry food, almost no canned food, no RX food would settle it, he was even de-wormed and still horrible stools. I decided after looking around on google to try Dr. Pierson's recipe for raw cat food, within two days he had actually formed stool! I had not ever seen him have formed stool as for as long as I had him, about 4 months was constant explosive loose stools. I was amazed. I still feed him his special recipe. I have tried Special Kitty canned food and he can eat that as long as not for longer than three days or his stool softens again. Also when I found him, he was slender and thin, not very soft fur either. Now he filled out, he's been on the diet for 4 months now he is a solid 12 pounds of muscle and fur, he resembles a Maine Coon mix but I'll never know. He's very friendly and kind, I suppose he was dumped due to the explosive loose stools. Here is a link for Dr. Piersons recipe. http://www.catinfo.org/?link=makingcatfood

Here is also a link to the raw feeding forum for here as well. http://www.thecatsite.com/f/65/raw-home-cooked-cat-food

I will admit it was a bit strange for me to make his food and I did have to get over the ick factor of it but for him, its been lifesaving. Even the Vet could not believe this was the same cat I had brought in before.  

You might try deboning a chicken thigh to see if he would eat it. Or you could bake the meat and once its cool, offer it to him. I am hoping it will settle his tummy, it will not be good enough for a long-term diet by any means but it may settle the tummy and firm up the stools.

Also the lack of appetite is concerning, if you can get him to eat anything, by all means this rx food or not, I suggest you feed it to him. Might Purina kitten chow dry or fancy feast canned?