Cat Stroke

Like humans, cats can have strokes, but the symptoms and effects of feline strokes are quite different. Learning to recognize symptoms of feline stroke may one day help you save your cat's life.

  1. Symptoms

    • According to the pet care website Pet Wave, common symptoms of a feline stroke include a tilted head, loss of balance, uncontrollable circling coupled with falling down, and sudden loss of bowel control, behavior changes or blindness.

    Causes

    • A cat stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is reduced. This could be the result of a medical condition such as diabetes, an injury, poisoning and even internal parasites (although rare).

    Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian diagnoses a feline stroke by performing CT scans and/or an MRI so she can examine images of the cat's brain and determine whether a stroke has occurred.

    Treatment

    • A cat who has had a stroke need supportive care to regain a normal life. It may need anti-inflammatory medication to control brain swelling, and intravenous fluids to fight shock. If the stroke was the result of an underlying condition, that condition must also be treated.

    Prognosis

    • According to Pet Wave, if a cat's stroke is treated early on, the animal has a good chance at full recovery. However, the process may take several weeks to several months.