My cat was missing and is now very sick – had a seizure – What should I do?

Our question this week was:

Dr. Debra – my cat is about 2-years-old. She disappeared for a few days then came back. When she came back she had severe upper respiratory infection. Sneezing and eye drainage so I got some antibiotics from the vet. However. She was getting better. Then the day before yesterday – she wouldn’t eat, walking in circles, eyes VERY dilated and she had a seizure. Afterwards – she ate some and drank some water. Then yesterday, She seemed a little better but in the afternoon she had a seizure. Then would respond to me at all. And before the seizure issue came up I noticed she had a lump under her chin and one on the back of her neck. So I don’t know what to do at all.

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Angela Smith

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. You wrote that your cat got out and came back with an upper respiratory tract infection then progressed into neurological signs including seizures. You wrote that she is not responding to you now.

Take her to your veterinarian immediately. This is serious and is probably life threatening. I’m not sure if she has an infection that has gotten into her brain and spinal cord, she suffered from a trauma, or ingested a toxin.

Regardless, she needs to be seen by a veterinarian to have any chance of living.

An article that might be helpful to you is Seizures in Cats.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra