Cat Having Night Terrors

[JoannKB]

My cat constantly has nightmares (or maybe they are just very active good dreams?) in her sleep. She will launch herself off surfaces, sleepwalk/run and sometimes leak a little pee while sleeping. She is 2 years old and otherwise healthy but I am worried she is going to injure herself. Because she is completely asleep, she lands on her back or side and not on her feet when she falls. Here's an example: One day she even fell off the top bunk of a bunkbed. Often it doesn't even wake her up - she just continues sleeping where she fell. Sometimes she works up so much momentum she will run across the room and slam into a wall, all while asleep. Is there anything I can do?

 

[Margot Lane]

Have you seen the recent post by Mr. Meowrupin about cat having nightmares and peeing in sleep? It kinda reminds me a bit of what you are going through, and there is advice on that post. There is also a lot of information on here about the different kinds of seizures cats can have, if you just type in “seizure.” Not an expert but this could be like a chemical/behavioral thing, which can sometimes be treated with drugs or cat therapy. Meantime I’d suggest making sure everywhere she sleeps has padding underneath.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I suspect your cat is not sleeping after falling, but rather 'stunned' (at least in that video). The other times you say she is sleepwalking/running suggest that it woke her up enough that she is trying to get away from whatever she experienced. I would take videos of all the events you can and share them with your vet - asking for a neurologist consult. Here is the post that Margot Lane was referring to:
Cat twitching and peeing in sleep | TheCatSite

 

[cat nap]

My cat constantly has nightmares (or maybe they are just very active good dreams?) in her sleep. She will launch herself off surfaces, sleepwalk/run and sometimes leak a little pee while sleeping. She is 2 years old and otherwise healthy but I am worried she is going to injure herself. Because she is completely asleep, she lands on her back or side and not on her feet when she falls. Here's an example: One day she even fell off the top bunk of a bunkbed. Often it doesn't even wake her up - she just continues sleeping where she fell. Sometimes she works up so much momentum she will run across the room and slam into a wall, all while asleep. Is there anything I can do?

It definitely looks like a seizure.

If you stop the video, or slow it down, right at the part where she seems to move, she does display that 'paddling motion with her front paws'...and then she falls over.
Poor girl, what is her name?

Back in dec/january, I was on a thread where a new member posted about their cat, and also posted some videos, too.
Unfortunately, they didn't come back to update their thread, but it might be useful for you to read it through.
Involuntary movement spasms
It's not the same as your cat, but some of the info might be useful to try.

From that thread, this other one would also be good to read through:
Head jerking to one side
Again, not the same as your cat, but within it...the OP stated that they tried adding B12 shot, to the meds that their cat was taking, and that their cat had recovered.

It would be worth a try to ask your Vet about the B12?

Also, has your Vet recently done a complete blood panel on your cat, specifically looking at the electrolytes?
Just to make sure, that your Vet can 'rule-out' any medical causes and offer you something to try.

Could you send these videos of your cat to your Vet, Vet Specialist, or even a Vet school, nearby?
Start with your Vet, first, and go from there.

Keep a diary of when your cat has these type of episodes.
What she has eaten beforehand, how much water she has had, litterbox use, etc.
If you can think of any 'environmental triggers'...like background noise, sounds, smells, even chemicals, cleaners, or scents used in the home...since these can also sometimes cause a cat to have an episode.

(I've never actually had a cat with seizures, so my knowledge is very limited,..from reading threads, and watching some online videos, and doing online limited research.)
Sending you all the Best for your cat and you, and Hoping that you can get specific answers from you Vet, too.
please update us, when you can.

Margot Lane ...makes a good point about adding any padding to the surfaces underneath where your cat is sleeping, especially since she sounds like she likes to sleep up high.

 

[fionasmom]

I am sorry that you are facing this with your lovely cat. I have had a cat with hyperesthesia (FHS) and another with seizures; to me this resembles the cat who had seizures. I agree that consulting with a neurologist is the best route to follow.

 

[Eurocat]

Hi
Really sorry that kitty and you are going through this.
As a lay person, it seems that - unless she is experiencing seizures- it may be that the mechanism(s) to stop her acting out her dreams have been affected.
There is something called REM sleep behavior disorder which could have various causes..
Your situation reminds me very much of a video on you tube with Jackson Galaxy
Check out the link:
(If the link for some reason doesnt work as I am in Germany - you could just search for „Jackson is shocked by cat‘s night terrors - my cat from hell“)
As has already been recommended, I would definitely check with a neurologist.
The very best of luck to you!!

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. Looks like seizure activity. Take her to the vet and show them this video.

 

[cat nap]

Hi
Really sorry that kitty and you are going through this.
As a lay person, it seems that - unless she is experiencing seizures- it may be that the mechanism(s) to stop her acting out her dreams have been affected.
There is something called REM sleep behavior disorder which could have various causes..
Your situation reminds me very much of a video on you tube with Jackson Galaxy
Check out the link:
(If the link for some reason doesnt work as I am in Germany - you could just search for „Jackson is shocked by cat‘s night terrors - my cat from hell“)
As has already been recommended, I would definitely check with a neurologist.
The very best of luck to you!!

Eurocat ...the above video was so informative and helpful to watch.
Thank you for posting it.

I'm a little confused how the couple's Vet, in the video, ruled out epilepsy or something neurological,...but somehow missed a previous stroke from happening...but anyhow,...it's still good that Jackson Galaxy was able to help the couple...by hiring that 'Sleep Specialist'.
I never knew that 'sleep specialists' exist for cats, and wonder what all the tests would be, or how similar they are to what a Neurologist would do.
I guess the main thing is that they do exist,...and to advocate for our cats...when we need to.

Hoping that JoannKB ...can get the much needed help and answers for her own cat.
And that the info that you provided will make it easier for her cat to get proper help.

(PS... Eurocat ...would you mind at all 'posting this info'...in G gpfr88 thread, for their cat Ouvea. The member is from France, and even though what their cat was going through is different,...you never know...the 'sharing of any similar info'...may help them, or others reading the threads,...to ask their Vets about possible treatments, too.
The thread link is here: Involuntary movement spasms
I think the 'sharing of information'...with one another, is what is best about the Cat Site. Supporting each other, too.
I could do it, but I believe you deserve all the credit...for finding the above video.
Thank you again.)

 

[JoannKB]

It doesn't seem like seizures to me because the movements in many cases look like deliberate "attack" movements. Like sometimes she will growl in her sleep and open her jaw and latch onto whatever is nearby (a pillow, a blanket, or in one painful instance - my hand), clamp down and shake it, like she would do if she were trying to kill a rodent or something. It doesn't seem like a seizure would have that coordinated of movement.

 

[FeebysOwner]

It doesn't seem like seizures to me because the movements in many cases look like deliberate "attack" movements. Like sometimes she will growl in her sleep and open her jaw and latch onto whatever is nearby (a pillow, a blanket, or in one painful instance - my hand), clamp down and shake it, like she would do if she were trying to kill a rodent or something. It doesn't seem like a seizure would have that coordinated of movement.

Maybe that part is happening following the seizure when she 'wakes up' and is in reactive mode?.

 

[fionasmom]

https://www.goodrx.com/pet-health/cat/understanding-cat-seizures

 

[JoannKB]

Here are some additional videos:
Pumpkin 5

 

[JoannKB]

Here are some more videos:
Pumpkin 2

 

[silent meowlook]

Let your vet make the decision. Try to find a feline neurologist or internal medicine veterinarian. What she is doing is extremely abnormal and dangerous.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Those are excellent videos to share with your vet, and I hope they think it would be appropriate to share with a specialist or two. Sorry you have to take those and experience it while trying to be objective in doing so, but they are your best illustrations for analyses.

Poor baby Pumpkin. But I think you are on top of this and with the help of a vet and some specialists, I hope you find a solution for your little baby.

Please do keep us posted!

 

[Eurocat]

(PS...

Eurocat ...would you mind at all 'posting this info'...in G gpfr88 thread, for their cat Ouvea. The member is from France, and even though what their cat was going through is different,...you never know...the 'sharing of any similar info'...may help them, or others reading the threads,...to ask their Vets about possible treatments, too.
The thread link is here: Involuntary movement spasms
I think the 'sharing of information'...with one another, is what is best about the Cat Site. Supporting each other, too.
I could do it, but I believe you deserve all the credit...for finding the above video.
Thank you again.)

Hi cat nap thanks for your feedback but I have no idea how to post in another thread (am new here, just clumsily finding my way and an very pressed for time at the mo.) Would be really grateful if you could pass on for me?!
Many thanks! )

 

[cat nap]

It doesn't seem like seizures to me because the movements in many cases look like deliberate "attack" movements. Like sometimes she will growl in her sleep and open her jaw and latch onto whatever is nearby (a pillow, a blanket, or in one painful instance - my hand), clamp down and shake it, like she would do if she were trying to kill a rodent or something. It doesn't seem like a seizure would have that coordinated of movement.

Here are some additional videos:
Pumpkin 5

Hi JoannKB ...I think you may be right, and it may not be seizure related,...but rather a 'sleep disorder'.

I do understand what you are saying about the movements looking more "coordinated",...especially in the Pumpkin 5 and Pumpkin 1 videos,...where she looks to be 'acting out her dreams'...(similar to what @ Eurocat had posted in the above jackson galaxy video...concerning 'REM Sleep Disorder', and that cat was given melatonin, and seen by a Sleep Specialist.)

The couple's cat, though, had something preventing the mechanism of sleep paralysis, due to a previous stroke, so they think this was causing their cat to 'act out his dreams'.

Here are some more videos:
Pumpkin 2

In your Pumpkin videos 2, 3 and 4, ..it really looks like Pumpkin 'tenses up her muscles/paws'...and looks to be 'disorientated'.
When she falls in video 4...she doesn't look like she is taking a 'jump' but rather a brief disorientation, and then flips over, and thankfully does not fall on her head.
The worry here, would be if Pumpkin would land wrong, and do more damage to herself,...especially her head.

You did actually mention this worry in your opening post, and I totally agree with it.
It's so hard to try and keep her safe, when she's falling...and not actually fully awake, or aware of it.

***By you taking all these videos and having them, to show to your Vet, that will help you to get more 'direct next steps to take' in finding a proper diagnosis.
Even if they think it is a 'sleep disorder'...you'll still know.

Vets do have to rule out any differential diagnoses first...by doing Bloodwork, looking at blood sugar, diabetes, T4, thyroid, heart proBNP, even SDMA...but with the videos, and that you can have the tests run, then your Pumpkin will get some relief and be able to sleep well.

Hoping that since she is 2 years old, and perhaps it is just a deficiency in some mineral, or out of balance electrolyte, then she can fully recover. (Really hoping that it's the melatonin, in this case.)
Even if it would be going on some type of medication such as clonazepam, as long as it would help her to sleep better, then it would be worth pursuing, to get some answers.

If there is a Vet school or Vet university near you, even better.
Perhaps you could contact the Vets in the video below, or have your Vet contact them.
And tell the Vets about what Eurocat had posted in post #6 above, concerning the 'REM sleep disorder', too.

Similar but seems way more milder than Pumpkin's videos.


Some extra reading that might help:
Ask Dr. Richards: 05/06 - Catwatch Newsletter
This next article is more in depth concerning epilepsy and seizures, but from your added videos, it does look more of a REM sleep disorder. Whatever it is, I hope you're able to get the answers, soon. Good luck sent your way.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.12297

Please update us on your Pumpkin. We honestly worry about cats here, and want only the best for them all.
Sending you Loads of Health Vibes for your Pumpkin, too.

 

[cat nap]

Hi cat nap thanks for your feedback but I have no idea how to post in another thread (am new here, just clumsily finding my way and an very pressed for time at the mo.) Would be really grateful if you could pass on for me?!
Many thanks! )

Sure, Eurocat ...no problem at all.
I'll pass it on.
It's a great piece of information.
Take care and thanks.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I had forgotten all about that disorder! It is also known as 'sleep paralysis disorder' and was suggested as a possibility to a couple of other members on this site back in 2019/2020. I don't think the articles that cat nap shared addressed this (if I missed it, I apologize), it is the same disorder which occurs in humans, and one of the possible effects is sleepwalking!

I went back to find the thread, but the OP is no longer active on this site so we can't ask them if they ever found a resolution/treatment. Oddly enough, in my search there were also some threads as old as 2011/2012 about this, but again the posters are no longer active.

 

[Sleepy Cat]

My cat constantly has nightmares (or maybe they are just very active good dreams?) in her sleep. She will launch herself off surfaces, sleepwalk/run and sometimes leak a little pee while sleeping. She is 2 years old and otherwise healthy but I am worried she is going to injure herself. Because she is completely asleep, she lands on her back or side and not on her feet when she falls. Here's an example: One day she even fell off the top bunk of a bunkbed. Often it doesn't even wake her up - she just continues sleeping where she fell. Sometimes she works up so much momentum she will run across the room and slam into a wall, all while asleep. Is there anything I can do?

Hi, JoannKB my cat (also 2 years old) does the same thing. I have very similar videos to this one. He also seems to be in “attack mode” during these episodes. We’ve had him looked at by our vet and consulted with a neurologist. For a period of time they thought these episodes were seizures and then came to the conclusion they are night terrors. We have him on medication now that lessens the amount of these episodes but they are still frequent. Have you learned anything new or gotten any answers about your sweet kitty? I am desperate for answers or help!