Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Diagnosis and Treatment
• Method 2 of 4: Using phenobarbital
• Method 3 of 4: Using Diazepam to Prevent Serial Seizures
• Method 4 of 4: Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Life
• Warnings

Epilepsy in cats is rare, but it does occur. Unfortunately, the drugs used to treat epilepsy in dogs are toxic to cats, so treatment options in cats are very limited. However, there are a number of medications and lifestyle changes you can try to treat and control your cat's epilepsy. Keep in mind that only a veterinarian can diagnose an animal with epilepsy and prescribe medication to prevent seizures.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Diagnosis and Treatment

1. 1 Take your cat to the vet. An accurate diagnosis must be obtained to ensure that the animal is treated appropriately. If your cat is diagnosed with epilepsy, your veterinarian will prescribe medications to prevent or reduce seizures. Be prepared to answer your veterinarian's questions and provide relevant information about your cat's seizures, including:
   • how the cat looks during a seizure;
   • how long the attacks last and how often they occur;
   • Whether the cat has recently had a fever
   • whether the cat has been poisoned;
   • whether the cat has been injured;
   • whether all vaccinations were given to her in a timely manner;
   • whether she has dealt with other cats;
   • have you noticed a change in behavior or appetite;
   • have you noticed recurring patterns in her attacks;
   • by what signs do you notice that an attack is approaching.
2. 2 Agree to the tests your veterinarian sees fit. The veterinarian will physically examine the cat, take blood samples, and take an x-ray. This can help rule out other potential causes of seizures, such as trauma.
3. 3 Give your cat the medication on an ongoing basis. If your veterinarian diagnoses a cat with epilepsy and says it needs a drug, you will have to give that drug to the cat for its entire life. Remember to give your cat the medication and do not stop it, or it could result in severe seizures.

Method 2 of 4: Using phenobarbital

1. 1 Understand how phenobarbital works. Phenobarbital is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for seizures in cats. If it is assigned to your cat, there are a few important facts you should know.
   • Seizures are caused by abnormal impulses in the cerebral cortex.Phenobarbital is an anticonvulsant drug that increases the threshold for sensitivity of the cerebral cortex to stimulation and at the same time reduces nervous excitability.
   • This means that the cat's nerves become less sensitive, while the brain needs a stronger impulse to have a seizure.
2. 2 Follow your veterinarian's directions for giving phenobarbital. Your veterinarian will prescribe a specific dose for your cat and give you instructions on how to give the drug correctly. Be sure to follow them exactly.
   • If the dose is ineffective, call your veterinarian.
   • Once in the body, phenobarbital is absorbed into the gastric mucosa and quickly enters the bloodstream.
3. 3 Use liquid phenobarbital for cats that refuse to swallow tablets. This medication is available in both tablet and liquid form.
   • Anyone who has tried giving pills to cats knows how tough it is. Attempting to give the pill over a long period of time, even 3 times a day, can be a burden and can ruin your relationship with your pet.
   • Liquid phenobarbital is also better when used in small doses, as tablets are difficult to cut.
4. 4 Note that phenobarbital can make you sleepy. For the first 4–5 days, it will act as a sedative. However, your cat will become more active as her body adjusts to the new drug.
5. 5 This drug may cause obesity. As in dogs, phenobarbital stimulates thirst and appetite, leading to weight gain. This is inevitable, but you should do your best to keep your cat healthy by adopting a healthy diet.
6. 6 Phenobarbital has side effects. It is metabolized in the liver, so if liver function is impaired, phenobarbital will not be able to dissolve, which will lead to intoxication.
   • In rare cases, phenobarbital causes immune-mediated destruction of blood cells and deactivation of the bone marrow, which stops the production of new cells.
   • You should constantly monitor your cat's health and check with your veterinarian regularly to avoid this.

Method 3 of 4: Using Diazepam to Prevent Serial Seizures

1. 1 Diazepam prevents serial seizures. If treatment with phenobarbital has not given results (or at the moment it is impractical to take it), then give your pet diazepam. However, instead of using diazepam systemically, it is taken immediately after a seizure to reduce the likelihood of serial seizures.
   • Serial seizures are a group of seizures that occur quickly, one after the other. Some cats are more prone to them than others.
   • Diazepam weakens the activity of the central nervous system, weakens brain waves and they react less to stimuli. This helps reduce the likelihood of further seizures.
2. 2 Diazepam is taken orally. The correct dosage will depend on your cat and how she responds to medications. Your veterinarian will usually prescribe 1 to 5 mg per day.
3. 3 During an attack, it is necessary to give the medicine rectally. If the cat has already had a cramp, then diazepam in the form of rectal suppositories will be more effective. In addition, it is rapidly absorbed through the rectal mucosa.
   • The dosage for rectal suppositories is 5 mg, which is the usual dose for the average cat. 1 candle will calm the cat for 6-8 hours and reduce the likelihood of recurrent seizures.
   • It is not difficult to insert candles - exactly the same technique as when measuring temperature.
4. 4 Be aware that in rare cases, diazepam can lead to liver necrosis. The use of diazepam in cats is somewhat controversial as it can lead to fatal liver necrosis.
   • This means that an idiosyncratic reaction occurs in the liver, which leads to liver failure.The exact cause of this reaction has not yet been identified.
   • However, this rarely happens and it is worth considering the possible risks against the suffering of your cat (and yours too).

Method 4 of 4: Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Life

1. 1 Try not to touch your cat during an attack. Avoid touching at all costs. Any stimulation (touch, sound, smell, etc.) to the brain can prolong the attack.
   • Close the curtains, turn off the lights and TV, and ask everyone to leave the room.
   • Never put your hand next to or in your cat's mouth during a seizure. She may bite your hand and be unable to open your jaw.
2. 2 Place pillows around your pet to protect her during an attack. She can be crippled during seizures, and pillows can help prevent this. If you see that your cat might fall and hurt itself, spread a blanket to prevent a painful fall.
3. 3 Consider different seizure situations. Cats are independent creatures that love to roam and explore their territory, however seizures are unpredictable and can occur anytime, anywhere.
   • If the cat has a seizure while climbing trees. She may fall and be crippled. And if there is a neighbor's dog nearby, then it can end very badly for your pet.
   • Keep in mind that it is best for the cat to live at home. This does not guarantee her safety, but you will be more likely to find her if she falls or gets hurt during an attack.
4. 4 Consider switching to a gluten-free diet. However, there is no scientific evidence that nutrition affects the occurrence of seizures. However, there have been documented cases where cats that were on a gluten-free diet stopped having seizures.
   • Because cats are carnivores, their stomachs are not equipped to digest wheat and gluten antibodies, which are toxic to the brain.
   • So if your cat has no other medical conditions, then a balanced gluten-free diet, low in carbohydrates and high in protein, will definitely not hurt her.

Warnings

• If seizures occur infrequently (for example, once every three months) and last only a few seconds, the veterinarian may refuse drug therapy. This happens for two reasons: first, cats are very sensitive to the side effects of drugs and sometimes drugs can do more harm than good. Second, if seizures occur rarely, it will be difficult to assess the effectiveness of treatment.