Seizures in Cats

Although seizures occur less commonly in cats compared with dogs, they are one of the most common forms of neurological disease in the feline patient. Cats may experience both focal (partial) and generalized seizures and causes are divided into symptomatic epilepsy in which there is no underlying cause (i.e. idiopathic epilepsy) and secondary epilepsy. The latter implies an underlying structural brain lesion or metabolic disease. Differentiating between symptomatic and secondary epilepsy is critical for determining a prognosis as well as devising an appropriate treatment plan. Recognising conditions which could mimic an epileptic seizure such as paroxysmal dyskinesia, orofacial pain syndrome, feline hyperesthesia syndrome and cardiac syncope is also essential from the start of the diagnostic process. Once diagnosed with an epileptic seizure disorder, antiepileptics are needed to treat the seizure activity; additional therapies may be necessary for treating secondary seizure disorders. Phenobarbital is the primary drug of choice for treating feline seizures. In situations where sole phenobarbital therapy is ineffective, or is contradicted, additional antiepileptics are needed. Use of oral diazepam and bromide is not recommended in cats and they have the potential to cause a fatal idiosyncratic hepatotoxicosis and an allergic pneumonitis, respectively. Levetiracetam has been shown to be a promising add-on antiepileptic drug in cats as it is safe and effective. Other potential antiepileptic drugs for use in cats include zonisamide, gabapentin and pregabalin.