Page 805 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

36 – THE CAT WITH SEIZURES, CIRCLING AND/OR CHANGED BEHAVIOR 797

METABOLIC
● Hepatic encephalopathy*** (p 806)
Episodes of mental alteration including depression, confusion, agitation, dementia or stupor
occur together with bizarre behavior, hypersalivation and rarely, seizures. Mostly in young animals
(< 1–2 years of age) with congenital portosystemic shunt.
● Hypoglycemia** (p 809)
Mental confusion, muscles tremors, weakness, ataxia and occasionally, seizures or coma.
Typically, there is history of a diabetic cat receiving insulin therapy or hypoglycemic drugs.
● Hypocalcemia* (p 817)
Progressive neuromuscular hyperexcitability evidenced as muscle fasciculation, tremors or gener-
alized tetany. Rarely culminates in terminal convulsive status epilepticus.
● Uremia (p 819)
CNS depression; occasionally, seizures. Typically, there are other signs of severe acute or chronic
renal failure, for example anorexia, vomiting, dehydration, polydipsia, polyuria or anuria.

NEOPLASTIC
● Forebrain tumors** (p 810)
Typically middle-aged and older cats with progressive focal forebrain signs such as personality
changes, mental depression, confusion, pacing, compulsive circling and subtle hemiparesis.
Seizures may also occur.
NUTRITIONAL
● Thiamine deficiency*** (p 808)
Central vestibular signs (head tilt, loss of balance), mydriasis, spasmodic ventroflexion of the neck
with whole-body contorsions, which may be misinterpreted as seizures. Terminally, opisthotonos,
coma and death.

INFLAMMATORY
● Feline non-suppurative meningoencephalitis*** (p 803)
Focal or multifocal neurological signs attributable to any portion of the CNS (hindlimb paresis and
ataxia, head tilt and loss of balance, seizures) ± systemic (fever, inappetence, lymphadenopathy)
and/or ocular (chorioretinitis) signs.
INFECTIOUS:
VIRAL

● Feline infectious peritonitis** (p 811)
CNS signs (typically head tilt, balance losses, intentional tremors) accompanied by systemic (fever,
lethargy, inappetence, weight loss) ± ocular signs (anterior uveitis, chorioretinitis) in cats usually
younger than 3 years of age.
● Rabies (p 819)
Variable prodromal signs progressing often to a furious phase characterized by vicious and aggres-
sive behavior +/− dysphagia, paralysis, convulsions, coma and death.

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