Feline epilepsy 

© August, JR (2006) Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine, Vol 5.  Elsevier Saunders

A seizure is a clinically detectable manifestation of paroxysmal, excessive, and synchronous discharges of a population of hyperexcitable cerebral neurones. Acquired causes for seizures are emphasised to assist with diagnosis and treatment of seizure disorders in cats.

Seizures are thought to occur through the action of a sudden, large influx of calcium into nerve cells within the cerebrum. Briefly, the pathological foundation of epilepsy involves a massive neuronal discharge, presumed to be triggered by a violent calcium influx into neuronal cells, followed by cellular depolarization. The trigger for the calcium influx into neurones is thought to be due to the presence of excitatory amino acid (EAA) release. These EAAs combine with various neurone surface receptors, causing calcium channels to suddenly open. This intracellular flush of calcium causes a cascade of neurotransmitter release across the neurone, causing an inadvertent excitation disorder resulting in epileptic seizure.

Classification of seizures

Further classification of seizure type relies on appropriate use of the term epilepsy (recurrent seizures). Recurrent seizures are defined more broadly as epilepsies. Primary epileptic seizures (idiopathic) is the term used if an underlying cause cannot be identified. If seizures result from structural lesion, they are defined as secondary epileptic seizures. The term reactive epileptic seizure is used when the normal brain reacts to transient systemic insult or physiological stresses; these seizures are not considered recurrent. Epilepsies also are described as asymptomatic (primary, idiopathic) and symptomatic (secondary). Secondary epilepsy is common in cats, and appropriate diagnostic tests are necessary to determine the underlying cause.

Primary epilepsy implies recurrent episodes of seizure activity associated with a primary functional cerebral disorder (having a physiological or biochemically related genetic basis). Typically, these seizures are tonic clonic and generalised with no identifiable structural brain lesions. Physical and neurological examinations are normal. Advanced imaging and CSF analysis results are normal. Incidence of primary epilepsy in cats is low when compared with that of dogs.

Secondary epilepsy (also named symptomatic, acquired, or structural) implies recurrent seizure activity caused by acquired but inactive brain diseases that occur after traumatic, ischaemic, and encephalitic events. According to some authors, the term epilepsy should be restricted to recurrent seizures resulting from nonprogressive intracranial causes of either a structural or functional nature. Others classify secondary epilepsy (symptomatic) as recurrent episodes of seizure activity associated with an underlying structural disorder such as inflammation, trauma, ongoing hypoxia or ischaemia, or neoplasia. In cases of secondary epilepsy, partial seizures (focal or complex partial with or without secondary generalisation) are observed more commonly and may be accompanied by an abnormal neurological examination with or without lateralisation. Secondary epilepsy is thought to be more common in cats than primary epilepsy. Reactive seizures arise as a consequence of extracranial metabolic or toxic insults.

Clinical signs

Seizure type can be characterised as (1) generalised with major motor activity (i.e., generalised tonic-clonic events), (2) partial with subtle motor manifestations (mild generalised or partial seizures [i.e. limb, facial or whisker twitching]), or (3) non-motor (psychic or autonomic activity [i.e., tail chasing, floor licking, vocalising]).

Seizures in cats, regardless of cause, manifest themselves in different ways and are more variable in clinical presentation than in dogs. The owner may not notice the ictal phase or actual seizure event readily until the signs are more obvious. The aura or preictal phase may comprise subtle behavioural changes that include aggressiveness, pacing, crying, restlessness, hiding, unusual affection, salivation, frantic running, hissing, growling, and anxiety. The aura may last seconds to days, but usually lasts for several minutes.

The ictal phase can be classified further according to seizure type. Generalised and partial seizures occur in cats. Generalised seizures (tonic-clonic or grand mal seizures) manifest as loss of consciousness, recumbency and tonic-clonic motor activity. The major motor activity can consist of generalised tonic movements with the limbs in rigid extension and purposeless limb movements and paddling. Opisthotonus and claw extension in addition to mouth-chomping and pupillary dilation also may be observed. At times, tonic flexion (emprosthotonus) is observed, which may be followed by moderate to severe muscle twitching (clonic phase). The patient may not have loss of consciousness during this type of event. Sometimes generalised seizures can be violent. The cat may jump up into the air as if it were thrown and propel itself forward and from side to side. Autonomic release (urination and defecation) usually accompanies the motor activity in addition to facial twitching, salivation, kicking, piloerection, and chewing. Self-inflicted trauma may be observed to include contusions, excoriations, biting of the tongue, or avulsion of the claws. Cats also may exhibit mild or non-convulsive seizures, which are manifested by impaired consciousness, pupillary dilation, bilateral facial twitching, muscle spasms of the head and neck, and possibly, autonomic release. The ictus usually lasts from seconds to minutes and sometimes can progress to status epilepticus.

The postictal period is similar to that observed in dogs and can last from seconds to days. This period can manifest as confusion, aimless wandering, pacing, blindness, increased hunger, and changes in sleep/awake patterns.

Partial seizures are subdivided into complex partial seizures and simple partial seizures; complex partial seizures are common in cats. Such events often have lateralising signs preceding or during the ictus. Cats with complex partial (psychomotor) seizures manifest impaired consciousness with stereotypic motor activity (that may lateralise) and behaviours. These activities include turning of the head to one side, chewing motions, transient staggering, and ventral flexion of the head. These episodes often are preceded by a short, piteous cry, intermittent episodes of aggression or fright, hissing, growling, raising of a single limb (repetitive movements), tail piloerection, and transient periods of uncoordinated, frantic running or bizarre aimless movements. Owners describe their cats as acting like they are 'possessed', or in a trance as if they were hallucinating. Compulsive activities such as biting, self-excoriation, and circling can be observed. These episodes of bizarre behaviour are distinguished from behavioural issues by the presence of facial twitching, salivation or a secondary seizure generalisation.

Simple partial seizures are characterised by near-normal or normal mentation and the appearance of unilateral motor signs involving a part of or all of the body. Cats with focal seizures often twitch the eyelids, whiskers, and/or either in combination or separately. Head-shaking may occur and be accompanied by body jerking. Salivation, urination and pupillary dilation are transient signs. Continuous vocalisation and a brief rise in body temperature can be observed. Hyperthermia ensues as a result of continuous motor activity that can last from minutes to hours. Partial motor seizures are variable in clinical presentation and difficult to recognise for the untrained eye. Also, partial seizures may progress to clonic-tonic or generalised seizures. Seizures of this type may be more difficult to control because of the prolonged ictus phase. Up to one third of cats have seizures that progress to status epilepticus or cluster seizures. Cats also may have an atypical presentation of non-convulsive seizures that go undetected for prolonged periods. Requesting the pet owner to videotape these episodes is helpful to document the severity and type of seizure.

Differential diagnoses

Signalment and initial examination assist with establishment of differential diagnoses. Differential diagnoses for seizure disorders in young cats (less than 4 years of age) include congenital, inflammatory, infectious, toxic and metabolic causes, whereas in older cats (over 5 years), common differential diagnoses include vascular, neoplastic, and infectious inflammatory causes. Exceptions to this guideline occur; therefore, causes for seizures are assessed on an individual basis.

Secondary or reactive epilepsies are common in cats, whereas in dogs, primary (idiopathic) epilepsy is considered a common differential diagnosis. However, reports have described that at least 50% of cats studied were considered as idiopathic epileptics because the seizure aetiology could not be determined after exhaustive diagnostic testing.

Initial therapy is aimed at controlling epileptic seizures. This can be through the use of benzodiazepam-based medication (e.g. Valium), or IV propofol. Long term maintenance of epileptic seizures is based on phenobarbitone or lithium-based oral medication