My kitten's face keeps "glitching"

mokabean

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I'm not sure how to describe my kitten's facial tic other than a glitch. She does this whenever she is curious, excited, purring, or stressed. So basically, unless she is just chilling, her face is glitching. Phoenix was 10 days old when the Lahaina Fires broke out and was in the burn zone for a month before she was rescued. Most of the time it is just one eye that twitches. When it is extreme excitement, it is both eyes. I think it is either something she was born with or a nervous tick developed from extreme stress as a newborn. Has anyone seen anything like this before? Do I need to worry about this?

 

Furballsmom

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Hi, it reminds me of a person having a nervous tick, but in the video, as you mentioned it increased quite a bit.

Have you had a chance to talk to your vet regarding whether a specialist might be worthwhile?
 

silent meowlook

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Hi. Very cute kitten. Poor thing. I would definitely get that checked out by a vet. Be sure to show them the video.I am not a vet but it looks like seizure activity. I would get this all sorted out sooner than later. Make sure there are no plants or toxins your kitten could be getting into and no essential oils or air fresheners.
 

fionasmom

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She really is a little phoenix having survived that terrible fire. I would not say that you have to worry, as in running to an ER, but I would get this checked out as was suggested. If there are any variations to the twitch, try to get a couple more videos. I wonder if this is a forerunner to feline hyperesthesia syndrome, although that usually presents with other symptoms. FHS is possibly related to seizure activity, so it would be good to find out now what is going on. Does she do anything else that might seem cute right now, such as chasing her tail, but which might escalate if this progresses?

Please let us know.
 
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mokabean

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She really is a little phoenix having survived that terrible fire. I would not say that you have to worry, as in running to an ER, but I would get this checked out as was suggested. If there are any variations to the twitch, try to get a couple more videos. I wonder if this is a forerunner to feline hyperesthesia syndrome, although that usually presents with other symptoms. FHS is possibly related to seizure activity, so it would be good to find out now what is going on. Does she do anything else that might seem cute right now, such as chasing her tail, but which might escalate if this progresses?

Please let us know.
Just got back from the vet. So she is apparently having focal seizures. I'm told it is either 1) brain tumor 2) parasites in the brain 3) her wiring is wrong. We decided that instead of putting her through all sorts of tests, we would treat her for the parasites. So either a) she gets better, in which case it is parasites, b) she gets worse - in which case it is a brain tumor and we would likely treat her palliatively 3) no change, in which case, it is the wiring and this is who she is. In all three scenarios, we would just give her all the love and cuddles in the world to give her the best life possible.
 

fionasmom

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While I normally don't tell people that I hope it is parasites, in your case it would be for the best. Please let us know how she progresses. If it is worse than parasites, you are entirely correct in your assessment of moving forward and she is still a very lucky little girl to have found you and to receive so much care and love.
 
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