1 year old tabby with tremors

matt25

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Hi all,
First time posting on this forum (or any forum on any topic ever, I think). I have a one year old indoor tabby who is really a perfect cat, but she has had some health issues. We adopted her from a shelter at about 3 months. Shortly thereafter, the vet diagnosed her with bronchitis after a lung X-ray as she was coughing a lot, and she got better. At around 5 months, we noticed she had these small tremors where one could see her head bob or her paws rise and fall (if she were lying on her side). During these episodes, her body seems to tense, and then go back to normal ever few seconds. I don't know how long these episodes last, as it appears it is nearly constant, but if she is active, I can't see any difference. She does not appear to be in any pain whatsoever, and her behavior is normal. We thought it could be anxiety, so the doctor recommended fluoxetine, but I'm hesitant to start her on that. She is only anxious when around new people, when going in the car, or to the vet. We got a full body X-ray this week because during an exam the bet noticed the cat reacting to pressure on the thoracic-lumbar spine. X-ray showed possible narrowing of the vertebrae, but nothing major and nothing that would cause pain or tremors. Lungs and abdomen were clear. For what it is worth, she has been spayed and treated for heartworm as a precaution. After getting the results of the X-ray, the doctor recommended fluoxetine again thinking it is caused by anxiety, but I really don't think that is the case. If you click the below attached link, you can see she is relaxed on her back letting me pet her while still having the tremors. I can't imagine she is having any anxiety in that situation. [VIDEO][/VIDEO]

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Happy to answer any questions. Thanks so much in advance.
 
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2Cats4everLoved

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Hello and welcome to the site.  I'm curious is this your first kitty?

I don't have experience with tremors but there was another member who's kitty had spasms/tremors just a few months ago and for the life of me, I can't think of the thread at this time.  I'll search for it.

In the video you said she is awake and letting you pet her.  I can't see her face.  Is she dozing off?  That's what my girl looks like when shes's napping.  She even naps with her eyes open then starts twitching and then her eyes move side to side, it's pretty creepy, LOL.

Other than that, to me all else seems normal.

I promise you there are many experienced members on this board. and I have no doubt you will find the answers you're looking for.  In the meantime, I'll look for that thread.  

May I ask what your girls name is?
 
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matt25

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Thank you for your reply, 2Cats4EverLoved.  Our cat's name is Lina (we shortened Ambellina, which was her name at the shelter).  She is our first cat.

Lina may have been dozing off in the video, but she was only lying like there for a moment.  Unfortunately, I recall many other instances (possibly have videos) of her lying on her side wide awake where she has similar twitches or tremors.  Fortunately, I have not seen her eyes go back and forth while sleeping with her eyes open...quite creepy indeed!

If you do find the other thread, please let me know.  I can do some searching, as well, now that I know others may be dealing with a similar condition / behavior.
 

2Cats4everLoved

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Lina is a really cute name.  

I had some errands to run but have time to check.  

The link I'm talking about is a very long thread from April, Mayish.  I had my own issues and didn't keep up with the thread.  

The kitties name if I recall began with an "M".

I'll check my posts because I posted in it.  

I hope it's nothing serious.

As I said, there are many experienced members with lots of knowledge.  I'll be back after I check.
 

2Cats4everLoved

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Hello again, the thread I was thinking of was Head Jerking 

Head  jerking  to one side

Well we got the infectious disease tests back (testing for toxoplasmosis and some other things)...

In Forum: Cat Health
  • Replies: 43   |  Started: Mar 27, 2016  |  Last Post: Apr 17, 2016 at 12:34 pm
There was another one I was reading that was either Tremors or Neuro "something"

I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.
 

artiemom

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I do not know if I can be of any help...

From the video you posted, it looks just like sleep... Many cats will twitch, reacting to a dream. It is scary when you first see it.

If Lina is wide awake and suddenly starts twitching, then it is a different story. It could be a type of min-seizure. 

Can you record an episode when she is awake. That may help a lot. 

@talkingpeanut     can you help?

@betsygee    any ideas?

@Margd    any thoughts?
 
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matt25

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Hi All,

Thank you for giving this some thought and combing through other threads.

I am 95% positive she was awake in the previously posted video, but below is a longer video where you can see her body tighten up multiple times.  When this happens, she often starts stretching or rolling.  She just had a pretty strong bout of it a moment ago, but we were unable to capture it, and now she is dozing off.

 
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2Cats4everLoved

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Hello again, I hope Lina is doing well.

I see a little of what you mean, but I still don't see too much.  My boy Simon used to do something similar when he'd stretch out, and flirt, so to speak. 

Could this be a reaction to the spine condition.  What has your vet said?  Anything more on this subject.

I would think if she's happy, eating and engaged, keep an eye on it, but call the vet to let them know.  

You can keep videos on it to see if this progresses.  

Best to you all.  

She's a real cutie.
 

mochicat5

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Hello @matt25! Your kitty is certainly not alone with this mysterious health problem...my 2 year old cat does the rhythmic muscle contraction/shiver when she is trying to go to sleep as well! As far as we know, she has had it all her life, and general health exams and blood tests have revealed nothing. She's such a happy cat that seems to just have this weird...glitch. A number of us whose cats have similar problem have joined together in this thread:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/243970/cat-has-a-twitch-tremor-in-his-body-involuntary

Unfortunately we haven't reached any answers yet but if we find out anything we try to let each other know.
 
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matt25

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Thank you both very much for taking the time to read the thread.

We took Lina to my girlfriend's parents' house Saturday, stayed there Saturday night, left her there Sunday, and went back to get her Monday.  Each car ride was about 1 hour each way, and she was meowing and panting through much of it (though was better on the second ride).  Outside of us getting her from the shelter, she had never been in the car for more than 2 miles to go to the vet.

I am posting  couple videos I just took because the tremors seem to be worse than we have seen them.  While it is possible she is dozing during these videos, I can assure you she is awake.  It is quite alarming.  We are thinking about taking her to a new vet for another opinion.

@2Cats4EverLoved:  In regards to her spine, the vet does not seem to think her issue with the spine is causing this.  The spot where she seems to be uncomfortable on her spine is close to her tail, so the vet does not believe that an issue at that location would have an effect on her whole body.


 
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