My kitten is very sick and having seizures, anyone have any advice?

[liberalhistorian]

My parents, son and I have two dogs and five cats. The newest addition to our cat family is an approximately four-month-old male kitten whom my parents found in the old (unused) nursery in the back of our house a couple of months ago. There are several feral cats in the nursery, so we figured that he came from them. He was alone and freezing when they found him.

We've since gotten very attached to him, since he's an absolute sweetheart who loves to cuddle; he's gotten quite attached to me and sleeps with me. From the beginning, he'd always have the tip of his tongue out between his teeth all the time. Several weeks ago, he started drooling once in awhile, we'd have to wipe his chin and throat area off. Once during the first couple of weeks we had him, he started "crying" after he drooled for a little bit and we couldn't figure out what was wrong. But that seemed to go away and he seemed okay.

Last night, he was lying on the floor and seemed particularly lethargic. I picked him up to take him to bed with me and he screamed. His paws were wet and smelled like urine. When I set him down, he fell right over, unable to stand up on his legs. I cleaned him off and took him to bed with me. He drooled all over my bed, and would suddenly "jerk" halfway across the bed. A few hours after I fell asleep, I woke up to him crying again. I got up and tried to soothe him for a little bit, he was covered in drool and urine, and he then wet all over my side of the bed. I cleaned him up, changed my sheets, and made a little bed for him on the floor. He had no strength at all and was like a wet rag doll.

A couple of hours later, I awoke to the most ungodly, unearthly sound I'd ever heard a cat make. Then I heard sounds like he was trying to meow, and it came out very jerky-sounding. I couldn't find him, then I finally found him behind my dresser, of all places (I still haven't figured out how he got back there), he was jerking and in the middle of a major seizure, drooling and wetting himself, then he lost control of his bowels. I was afraid to touch him until he stopped jerking. I then picked him up, cleaned him off, wrapped him in a blanket and went downstairs where I sat in the recliner with him on my lap, wrapped in the blanket. He was very still, barely breathing, just lying there, drooling, with the tip of his tongue between his teeth. He was like that for several hours. I was certain he was dying and focused on keeping him comfortable and petting him.

Being exhausted from being up almost all night, I went back to bed around 11 and slept until 3:30 or so. I came down and he apparently had done a little better, he'd gotten up and walked around and had something to eat. My son had taken him up to his room and had him on his bed. He seemed better. Every once in awhile he'd suddenly jerk, having one of the "fits", and start crying really loud, which would stop as suddenly as it started.

Our vet's office was closed for the weekend, and there is no emergency vet clinic open on the weekends, so I have to wait until tomorrow to try to get him into our vet's office, I'm calling first thing in the morning. My mom thinks it might be some kind of epilepsy; I hope so, because in that case there are medicines they can give him. I hope to God I don't have to put him down, he's such a sweetheart and I've really gotten attached to him. And he's only four months old. We don't know where he came from, though, or what the health of his parents was like or anything else like that. I'm just really sick over this. Anyone have any ideas what it could be? Will I have to put him down?

[burrowowl]

1. Does he have a fever?

If not, it may be epilepsy. It is common in dogs, less common in cats.
He will be tired after a grand-mal seizure. Do get him to the vet early tomorrow.
Yes, epilepsy can be treated. Courage and good luck.

[liberalhistorian]

11. He doesn't appear to have a fever.

We had a dog once with epilepsy, but we've never had a cat with it. We had to give the dog medicine every day to prevent him from having seizures.

[nini]

2. can you call the vet anyway and at least tell him what is going on?

I have no idea what may be wrong with the poor little guy, but I'd try and get that vet on the phone anyway and get his advice. Just maybe he/she would be willing to see him

Best to you.. I know how hard this can be :hug:

[DuctapeFatwa]

3. Vet emergency room NOW

[liberalhistorian]

6. I wish I could, but there ISN'T

one around here, my vet doesn't have one and I can't get ahold of him or any of his colleagues.

[ET Awful]

4. I'm no vet, BUT . . .

My roommates cats both had similar problems as kittens, and with them it ended up being huge amounts of sodium in their diet.

I don't know what you're feeding the kitten, but that might be a possibility.

It's scary though, and I'm sending good vibes your way. I always hate to hear about sick animals :(

Keep us updated on what happens tomorrow, and until then, keep the kitty close and try and make him as comfortable as possible.

Take good care of him. :grouphug:

[liberalhistorian]

7. Thanks, I will!

We've been feeding him canned kitten food, since he can't handle any kind of dry food at all.

[lcordero]

5. If possible

have a pair of leather gloves nearby. Put on the gloves in order to gently pin the kitten down so that it won't injure itself during one of the seizures.

[liberalhistorian]

8. Thanks, I hadn't thought

of that, that's a good idea.

[CatWoman]

9. LH

God bless you for taking that kitty in.

I hope everything works out.

[spinbaby]

18. Definitely gloves

And wash everything in sight. There's always the chance that the kitten has something contagious. Good luck to you and the kitten.

[mourningdove92]

10. Prayers for you and the kitten.

I have 5 cats myself, so I understand how you feel. Please keep us posted.
:hug:

[flamingyouth]

12. That sounds serious

I hope the little guy will be okay. I have a friend with an epileptic dog, and much of what you're describing here sounds similar to the dog's seizures.

Best of luck to all of you. You're a sweetheart for taking care of this little guy. We just lost a cat a week ago, and I know how hard it is to see them suffer and be miserable like that.

Be well, all of you. :hug:

[liberalhistorian]

16. It is, indeed,

very painful to watch the little guy suffering like this, especially since I've gotten so attached to him these past couple of months. I sure as hell hope it can be treated and that I don't have to put him down.

[NightTrain]

13. Poor little kitty

I know nothing about cats except that I love to play with them, so I'm afraid I can offer you no advice.

Just tried to call you and offer some words of support, but got a busy signal. Figured I would, though. After all, you're on-line! :)

[liberalhistorian]

15. Thanks, Dean!

I'll be off fairly soon, if you want to try again in a half-hour or so.

[twilight]

14. similar experience here

I had a cat that developed feline epilepsy. I had her on phenobarbital for awhile. She managed to go off of it for awhile but the seizures returned even worse.

The vet suspected that this cat may have been the victim of abuse as a kitten and may have had a brain tumor that was causing the seizures. Given who I got this cat from, I wouldn't be surprised.

I loved this cat so much. She lived to be about 1-1/2 years old. The day after I had her put down, I thought I saw her in her hunting grounds. In fact in was another white cat that needed a home. That was almost 10 years ago now and I still have this cat that appeared at a very convenient time!

I'd definitely get the kitten to a veterinarian as soon as you can. It could be something more than feline epilepsy. In any case, it sounds like a horrible situation and yes, I've been there.

I tried to deal with this problem for about 8 months before it became so severe that there was no other choice but to have her put down.

:(

Best of luck no matter what.

twilight

[liberalhistorian]

17. Wow, sounds like

the white cat you have now was a gift from on high! I hope I don't have to put him down, but if it is epilepsy and he does get worse despite treatment, as hard as it will be, that will be the only humane thing to do.

[burrowowl]

28. Yes

I had to put my German Shepard down. But after 5 years of treatment. (She got epilepsy when we moved from France to the U$.), twice during those years, they induced coma and it worked for a year or so, but the 3rd time ... She just kept seizuring and seizuring even after induced coma. I think it was the herbicide that was used in IAMs at the time for a perservative. Ethynoxocin or something like that. It is still used in some Purina moist meats products.
I did have a kitten who lived to 17 years of age, who acted fisty seizure like a couple of time and I prevented his mother from killing him. After the 2 episodes, he never had any.
But, it sounds like epilepsy, had it been anti-freeze, he would be dead by now.

[RhodaGrits]

19. seizures in cats...

are not common and you need to get him to the vet for a complete work-up to find out if there is an underlying cause or if it is epilepsy (which is unusual in a kitten that young). Bring a fresh stool sample with you. Low blood sugar disorders, parasites, toxins, liver problems (a congenital shunt for example), malformations, scarring from previous injury or infection etc. jump to mind in a little one.... it could be LOTS of things and the treatment depends on the cause. He is not truly conscious during these events so be VERY careful of his teeth... many owners are bitten inadvertently trying to comfort a seizuring pet. Keep your fingers away from his mouth and just make sure he's somewhere safe (on a big thick absorbent towel) and away from stairs or objects he could strike his head against. Seizures are exhausting and deplete the body. Encourage him to eat small frequent amts after he recovers from the episodes.

Good luck.

[liberalhistorian]

21. Thanks, and you are

correct about getting him a complete workup. I've lived with cats all my life, and I've never known one to have a seizure, least of all a kitten. Given where he came from, it could be any number of things, as you've said. I just hope like hell I don't have to put him down, but if there's nothing they can do for his suffering, it will be the only humane thing to do.

[meti57b]

20. I'm wishing you and the little cat, all the best ....

and sending warm thoughts and hugs. Keep us posted about the little guy.

[liberalhistorian]

22. Thanks, and I'll

keep you all updated. I'm going to try to get him in first thing in the morning.

[Mikimouse]

23. Hey Lib, take a look at this website...

http://web.vet.cornell.edu/public/FHC/fip.html

It may help, it may not, but it was all I could find quickly. I was especially looking at FIP. Give the little guy a chin rub and a head kiss for me. My fur kiddies wish im well, and hope that this is just a minor setback. Hugs.

[liberalhistorian]

24. Thanks for the help

and the good thoughts, I appreciate it.

[Pithlet]

25. I hope the little guy's okay.

I have no advice either. Please keep us updated.

[arewethereyet]

26. had a cat like that

yeah but I can't recall what the vet said. tried drugs (Phenobarbitol), no good, just got worse and worse.

for ours it seemed to happen when he was startled when asleep.

best thing for the animal is to put him down. not right to make him suffer. there are lots of others who would love the chance to fill that place in your heart.

[VOX]

27. Here's a link on Feline Seizures that might be helpful...

http://cats.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cs.cmu.edu%2FPeople%2Flowekamp%2Ffeline_epilepsy.html

Noticed some good pointers on the above site.

It could be any number of things -- I know that you're doing all that you can for this little guy -- please let us know what happens.

:hug: Am sending many good thoughts you way :hug:

[grasswire]

29. Is he taking fluids?

Or eating anything?

It would be very easy for a young cat to become dehydrated with all the fluids he's putting out in urine, drooling, etc.

You might want to try giving him some cool water with an eyedropper if you think he is fully conscious. Actually some pedialyte would be even better, to replenish the electrolytes. The feline dose of pedialyte is a few teaspoons. He might take unflavored pedialyte in a bowl even.

[Tredge]

30. A runt?

I've had a bit of cat experience over the years and not all of the cats were "well." My first thought after reading this...is there anything to indicate this kitten was the runt of the litter? I guess you can't tell for sure if you don't have any of the others to compare it to. Oftentimes the mother will abandon the runt...well, this probably isn't new info. I'm rather surprised though that one of the other feral cats in the nursery didn't do the merciful thing and kill it outright.

Runts often have genetic defects. It's as though there wasn't enough "material" for one more proper cat but it had to all be used, so the last one made was this incomplete version. It sounds like this kitten's brain/nervous system is flawed in some general way.

I don't want to sound cruel. It isn't a matter of "being practical" when deciding to have an animal put to sleep - it's strictly a matter of mercy. But that's what I would recommend - mercy.

[SoCalDem]

31. Sounds like he has gotten into something toxic..

It does not take much.. The feral cats that we fed outside had similar symptoms, and sadly, one by one, I had to have them euthanized. The vet suggested that since it had rained shortly before they came down with this mystery "illness", that they might have walked through antifreeze puddles and licked their feet..

Since your kitten got sick suddenly, it could be something like that..or it could be distemper.. You may need to have your other pets checked out too..

When I took in the kittens I bottlefed, I had the vet run bloodwork oon them to make sure that they were not carrying feline leukemia or the feline aids-like disease (name escapes me).. I am a worrywart, but I was so afraid of my longtime babies catching something from a stray..

I am sorry that your little baby is so sick, but it does not sound promising to me at all.. The seizures sound fever related, and they can get brain damage from longlasting fevers..

I hope that by the time you read this, you have already visited the vet, and everything's ok.. :(

[Lexingtonian]

32. maybe toxoplasmosis

a pretty common infection, associated with seizures. (Also thought to be the major reason for 'cat lady' syndrome :-) ) Probably easily cured with an antibiotic.

Feline Seizures and Epilepsy
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/People/lowekamp/feline_epilepsy.html
Cat Links
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/6777/cat.links.html

[RebelOne]

33. It could be feline leukemia.

When cats are outdoors they can get it very easily. But I'm sure the vet will check for that.

[Sapphocrat]

34. Been there, done that, sweetheart...

Before I read a single reply:

Is there any chance Kitty had a fall you don't know about?

Whether or not, you have GOT to get him to a vet, ASAP, even if you need to drive 50 miles to an emergency clinic (which is going to cost you a fortune -- but this is your baby, and you're sick with worry over him, so screw the cost -- just grab your wallet and go -- you'll deal with the CC statement next month).

Epilepsy: Quite possible/probable, especially if he took a bump on the head.

If you do need to put him down (and it breaks my heart to say this, but--), just know you will have done absolutely everything possible for him.

As I said, been through it -- same symptoms, same acuity, same everything. Just get to a vet, NOW, no matter how far you have to drive. (Or rather, get someone else to drive, while you bundle Kitty in a blanket on your lap -- you don't want to kill yourself by being distracted behind the wheel.)

Kitty-worshipper here via PMs if you need an ear.

Please give us updates, LH!

[gator_in_Ontario]

35. I had a young cat that had a fall

and the same symptoms appeared. Turned out he had an inner ear imbalance. We had to get meds for the seizures, and for the rest of his life he walked around with his head cocked to one side, but he was happy and otherwise healthy.

[Lostmessage]

36. I had the same problem with a rescue cat

It also turned out to be something wrong with his inner ear.

I would get more then one vet's opinion on this kitty.

[Wcross]

37. Some info sources for you...

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/camuti.html

This is a toll free line to Cornell university vet school
It is a 1-800 number and offers diagnostics.

You might find info on this link also

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1151/hlthlnks.htm

I wish you and your kitten the best, bless you for rescuing him!

[chemenger]

38. Update please!

Did you have the opportunity to take your kitten to the vet today? If so do you have any news?

[ET Awful]

39. Yes, please update us, we need to know ;(

[bif]

40. We had a cat with the same problem

Turns out to have been a toxin. We may have brought in some anti-freeze on the bottom of our shoes and he probably licked it. Sadly, he died after a couple of days. Hope you fare better.