Feline stroke, also known as a vascular accident, is caused by a lack of blood circulation in one part of the brain or by internal bleeding in the brain. Strokes and other abnormal neurological episodes also cause the loss of certain functions, such as balance, balance, limb control, vision and consciousness. Early symptoms associated with a stroke can also indicate vestibular discomfort, seizures, or other conditions. Regardless of the root cause, the typical symptoms of a feline stroke require an immediate visit to the vet to get the right treatment promptly.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identifying the Symptoms
Step 1. Check the cat's general state of consciousness
If he seems to be acting differently than usual, you need to examine his general health. If the cat has lost consciousness, check his breathing. See if he responds to the sound of your voice, look for any agitation or spasms.
Step 2. Look for signs of depression
A cat that has had a stroke may have symptoms similar to what humans think are typical of depression. The cat may seem unusually calm and stop reacting in the usual ways.
This behavior can occur because you feel disoriented, groggy, nauseous, and / or suffer from a pounding headache
Step 3. Check for an abnormal head tilt
You may notice that the animal holds its head at an odd angle, with one ear lower than the other. This posture can manifest itself with either tilting, rotating or twisting the head. If the symptom is caused by a stroke, it usually means that there is pressure on a specific part of the brain.
This symptom could also indicate another pathology, such as vestibular disease, which creates damage to the vestibular apparatus in the animal's inner ear. Vestibular disorder affects the sense of balance and orientation in a similar way to stroke symptoms. If your cat exhibits this symptom, know that it is a cause for concern and you should take the cat to the vet immediately, regardless of whether it was caused by a stroke or not
Step 4. Observe if he walks unsteadily or in circles
Be careful if you see that he cannot walk in a straight line, you may notice that he staggers as if he is drunk, can fall to one side or walk in circles. Again, if the cause is a stroke, the symptom is usually due to some pressure on an area of the brain.
- These signs can also present as weakness on one side of the body or postural defects. The cat may measure steps incorrectly or even show signs of poor strength in all paws.
- As with other symptoms caused by pressure on the brain, instability on the legs and / or walking in circles can also be signs of vestibular disturbance.
- If the animal has tremors or is shaking the body excessively and rhythmically, it is most likely having a seizure. In some cases, you may not be able to see the seizure at the moment, but you would later notice that the cat is disoriented. This is technically called the "post ictal phase" of an attack and can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. While an isolated attack is less of a concern immediately, you should still consider getting your cat examined by the vet as soon as possible.
Step 5. Examine the cat's eyes
Look closely at them; if you have had a stroke, your pupils may be different in size or your eyes may snap from side to side. This is called nystagmus and is due to a lack of blood supply to the nerves that feed the eyes.
- If the pupils are not the same size, the third eyelid is prominent, and the cat tends to tilt its head, then this is more likely to be a vestibular disorder than a stroke.
- As a side effect of nystagmus, the cat can suffer from motion sickness.
Step 6. Check if it doesn't see
Although this is a less common eye symptom than others, some cats may also experience blindness due to stroke. Even in cases where the blindness is not due to a stroke, still know that the symptom clearly shows that the animal is suffering from high blood pressure and often this precedes a stroke.
Step 7. Check his tongue
It should be pink; if it is blue, purple or white, it is a serious situation. In this case the cat must be taken to a veterinary hospital immediately.
Step 8. Don't force yourself to look for symptoms you would notice in a human stroke
The most typical symptoms in humans include partial paralysis and prolapse of part of the face. Cats do not suffer from human-like strokes and do not experience similar symptoms when they have a seizure.
Step 9. Pay attention to how quickly symptoms appear
Because the lack of blood supply to an area of the brain occurs quickly, the effects of stroke also appear suddenly. If, for example, you notice that the cat shows a worsening in balance problems for several weeks, it is unlikely that the cause is due to a stroke. However, it would still be wise to take your pet to the vet if symptoms recur or worsen.
Step 10. Keep track of how long your symptoms last
Generally in cats they stay at least 24 hours. You should take him to the vet as soon as you notice the signs, but this isn't always possible. Like humans, cats can also have a "mini-stroke", or transient ischemic attack (TIA). This means that symptoms may begin to subside after a day; in any case, it would be advisable to take him to the doctor for a check-up, even if it seems to you that the symptoms are decreasing in severity.
These temporary signs are a clear indication that there is a problem that requires further medical analysis, to prevent the cat from suffering a full-blown stroke in the near future
Step 11. Evaluate the cat's medical history
Although not an immediately visible sign, stroke often occurs more easily if the animal has other underlying conditions. If you take him to the vet regularly, check his medical records. If your doctor has already found that your cat has kidney or heart disease, high blood pressure, or an overactive thyroid, the risk of a stroke is much higher.
Part 2 of 2: Caring for a Cat that Has Had a Stroke
Step 1. Take your pet to the vet right away
The sooner he is seen, the better the treatment he can receive, so he will have a better chance of healing. Strokes in cats aren't always as devastating as they tend to be in humans, although it still remains a serious problem that needs to be treated immediately.
- When preparing your cat in the carrier you should contact your vet in advance to also describe the symptoms you have noticed.
- If the problem arises at night, it may be necessary to take him to an emergency veterinary hospital.
Step 2. Work with the vet
Your doctor will ask you a few questions to decide on a course of treatment. He will want to know a lot about the pet's behavior, so make sure you pay close attention to the cat. He may ask if the animal ingested something like a plant, drug, or poison that may have caused those symptoms. He may also try to figure out if the cat has experienced any trauma that you are aware of, such as a fall, before showing symptoms. He will also ask you about any changes in his eating habits and water consumption, and will also want to know if he has had vomiting, diarrhea or general lethargy.
It is also important to know if you have recently undergone the rabies vaccination
Step 3. Test your cat
Your vet may order several blood or urine tests, x-rays, or an ultrasound. These tests can help determine if a stroke has occurred or any underlying conditions that often accompany a stroke in cats. If your vet thinks there may be a serious neurological problem, you may want to take your cat to a doctor who specializes in neurology for consultation. The specialist may recommend further tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, from which it is possible to identify any blood clot or damaged areas of the brain.
These tests are performed on animals in a similar way to humans
Step 4. Take care of your four-legged friend
In many cases, the symptoms may disappear after a couple of days of treatment and rest at home. In some cases, however, admission to a veterinary clinic may be necessary. Sometimes it can be very difficult to determine the neurological consequences. It may take a long time before you are able to know exactly the outcomes or problems that may arise in the long run.
- If your cat has motion sickness as a symptom, you can give him a drug such as Cerenia to manage this disorder.
- If the animal does not want to eat, you can find options to increase its appetite, such as Mirtazapine.
- If he has seizures, your vet will likely recommend that you give him anticonvulsant drugs such as phenobarbital.
Step 5. Research the possible consequences
If the symptoms actually refer to a vestibular disorder, the cat can recover and heal on its own within a few days. In other situations, however, he may continue to have a stiff neck; this may be the only lasting consequence and the cat may not have any other problems. Still other specimens may continue to have some balance problems. The brain is a very complex organ and it is not always possible to predict all the consequences of a neurological episode.
It may be very hard for you to see your pet stumble and lose his balance. In this case, you don't have to worry, because he hardly feels pain
Step 6. Protect your pet
Any cat that has had neurological problems should be kept indoors for their safety. It may be necessary to limit his movements to one room for some time once he gets home. This is for your safety, especially if you have other pets in the house that could attack or attack the cat for its abnormal behavior.
Step 7. Help the cat eat and perform other functions as needed
While he is recovering, you may need to help him eat, drink, or go to the litter box; depends on the severity of your condition. You may need to physically grab it and carry it to the food bowl, water bowl, or litter box. Watch for signs that she is hungry or needs to go to the litter box, such as meowing or general moaning.
It will take some time to know if these particular treatments are temporary or will be needed forever
Step 8. Be careful with children who approach the cat
During the period of monitoring the animal and the symptoms it is manifesting, pay particular attention to approaching children. If the animal is confused, disoriented, or has seizures, it may accidentally bite or scratch. Keeping children away is the best way to avoid possible risks of this type.
Step 9. Be patient
With proper care and assistance, some cats recover very well. Even in these situations, full recovery can take 2 to 4 months. You must be patient during your recovery, and always keep in mind how much the cat needs you during this phase.
Advice
- If you are unsure how to act and what not to do with your cat, always contact your vet.
- Although not all symptoms are related to stroke, it is important to have your cat checked by a doctor if you have any of the following: loss of consciousness, seizure, walking in circles, inability to use the hind legs completely or momentarily, tilt of the head, rapid eye movement, loss of balance, inability to stand or walk without falling, uncoordinated gait, sudden blindness or deafness, blurry or confused vision from a distance, the cat stays still in one place staring at the wall or beating your head for a few minutes at a time against a surface.
