Feline epilepsy

Feline epilepsy is a condition in which cats experience recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Seizures in cats may be generalized, with collapse, paddling and drooling, or focal, showing as facial twitching, drooling, unusual vocalization or brief behavior changes. Causes are grouped as idiopathic, with no identified cause and a presumed genetic basis; structural, from tumors, infections, trauma or vascular disease; and reactive, from metabolic problems such as liver disease or low blood sugar. Structural causes are proportionally more common in cats than in dogs, particularly in older animals.

A veterinarian or veterinary neurologist investigates with a physical and neurological examination, bloodwork, infectious disease testing and often MRI and spinal fluid analysis. Long-term antiseizure medication is the standard approach for recurrent seizures. Clinical evidence on cannabidiol in cats with epilepsy is very limited compared with the research in dogs and humans.