Expert: Ali - 8/19/2009

Question
My cat has been drooling excessivly off and on everyday for many months. The weird thing is she backs up until shes in a corner or to the wall. She seems like shes a bit retarded or something when this happens. Its weird, gross and dangerous for her cause she falls off the window ledge, tables, couch, bed or whatever she may be sitting on at the time. I brought her to the vet but they say nothings wrong. I cant believe that one bit. I got her from a farm and shes up to date on all shots and such. Is there something really wrong with her? Its scary!

Answer
Lila,

I'm concerned that there might be something serious going on with this kitty. I am not a veterinarian so I'm not qualified to provide you with a diagnosis, treatment plan or prognosis. I'm very concerned about the behavior you're describing and I'm not really in agreement that there's absolutely nothing wrong with this kitty - obviously something's going on and it's important to find out what it is and what can be done to treat the problem. Some of my guesses as to what's going on include:

- she's experiencing a reaction to vaccines or other medications

- she's got severe dental issues that may require extraction of one or more teeth

- she may have a severe reaction to something in her environment (bleach, moth balls, citrus oils and other household chemicals). It's not unusual for a cat who has ingested citrus oils to develop symptoms similar to this kitty's issues including drooling, acting strangely and falling. Cats who ingest citrus oils and other household chemicals can develop liver damage if the cause of their symptoms isn't found and eliminated from their environment quickly.

- she may have some serious neurological condition that's causing petit mal seizures.

- your kitty may be reacting to an over the counter flea treatment purchased at a pet supply store or a prescription flea product like Advantage. Adverse reactions to these products aren't unheard of and if you've bought the product online there's no way to guarantee that it's been handled properly during the shipping process.

- There may be something wrong with this kitty's diet, if you're feeding a commercially produced canned/dry food. It's important not to forget about the 2007 Menu Foods pet food recalls, melamine contaminated food killed and sickened thousands of pets and if a disaster of this scale can happen once it's not that much of a stretch to think that it might happen again at some point.

- If you feed your kitty a homemade diet she may be deficient in key nutrients, I'd recommend checking out catinfo.org for further information about homemade food for cats

- Your kitty may be reacting to additives in her food or treats, the solution is to provide her with an additive free food such as Feline's Pride.

- this kitty may be epileptic

- Cats are more likely to have Complex Partial Seizures (CPS) than epileptic seizures. The significant difference between the two is that CPS involves greater damage to awareness and consciousness than regular epileptic seizures.

- Poisoning doesn't seem likely since this has been ongoing for months, but it's another possibility. House plants can be toxic to cats and produce drooling and odd behavior, if you like I can send you a list of common house plants that are potentially toxic to cats.

I really think that it's probably in this kitty's best interests to be evaluated by another vet outside of the current practice you take her to, she needs to be assessed completely and I believe you're absolutely right to be skeptical when the vet says there's nothing happening, clearly something's wrong it's important to find out what as quickly as humanly possible. Veterinary specialists may need to check this kitty over. I would also suggest that you consider seeking the advice of a holistic vet who uses homeopathy in his/her practice to see if there are any homeopathic remedies you can safely administer to help this kitty's condition (you will probably have to find the cause of these symptoms first though). It's not a bad idea to ask the holistic vet about remedies that deal specifically with signs of toxicity, vaccine reactions, etc.

Other possible reasons cats might have seizures include:

- impaired or restricted blood flow to your cat's brain.

- Severe parasite burden, especially if combined with an immune system that's not functioning properly.

- liver or kidney problems

- low blood sugar

- thyroid not functioning properly

- diabetes

- brain tumor, lymphoma or other types of cancer

- head injury

- lead poisoning

- feline infectious peritonitis aka FIP

- feline leukemia virus aka FeLV

- feline immune-deficiency virus aka FIV

- fungal infections like cryptococcosis which start in the lungs and spread to the cat's nervous system
causing neurological symptoms

- rabies can also cause seizures.

I would recommend keeping a journal of symptoms your cat has during these episodes. If you can video tape it at all that might be helpful for the vet, I'd suggest trying to video tape an episode from start to finish and showing it to the veterinarians who examine this kitty including any specialists you might be referred to.

Here are some things vets may want to know about these episodes, especially if they're seizures:

- Did the cat's breathing change?

- Did any parts of the cat's body change during the episode?

- Does the cat's body become rigid?

- Do the cat's legs move during these episodes? If so how do they move?

- Does the cat's body twist during these episodes?

- How long do these episodes last from start to finish?

- How severe are these episodes?

- Are they getting worse over time?

- How long does it take your cat to recover after one of these episodes?

I would say that it's well worth asking the veterinarian to perform diagnostic tests. In my experience most veterinarians realize that pet parents don't want to spend money on testing if they don't have to, maybe asking about diagnostic tests will clue your vet in that there's something going on that you're very concerned about. Some basic tests that may yield answers include:

- Complete blood count

- Serum chemistry profile

- Urinalysis

- Bile tests

- Thyroid function tests


In order to keep your cat safe during these episodes my recommendations are as follows:

- Try to keep the cat away from areas where she can fall and hurt herself

- Do your best to make sure that this kitty doesn't hurt herself on any furniture if she's on the floor when one of these episodes happens

- Keep your fingers away from her mouth because you may get bitten if she's having a seizure (she won't do it intentionally, but it will likely be very painful and potentially serious)

- Keep this kitty indoors for her safety from now on

- If possible when an episode starts if your kitty is on a high surface try to gently bring her down onto the floor so that she doesn't risk hurting herself

- Take note of what happens before, during and after these episodes to show your vet so that s/he can have more of an idea what's going on

- If you notice patterns of behavior that allow you to somewhat predict when these episodes are about to happen do your best to get this kitty into a safe place so that she doesn't hurt herself

- Be sure to offer cuddles and comfort if you're around after one of these episodes, your cat will probably appreciate the comfort because it's probably a bit scary for her to lose control over her body during these episodes

- Try to minimize noise and activity around your kitty as she recovers from an episode

- It's not a bad idea for the kitty to be seen by a vet after these episodes, but in your case I'd recommend a second opinion because I really can't say that I agree with the current diagnosis that nothing's wrong


If this kitty has a seizure disorder she may require lifelong medication or natural remedies to treat her seizures and prevent potentially serious complications like Status Epilepticus (seizure lasting for a long period without stopping, could go on for hours without treatment which can be fatal)

Common medications used to treat seizures in cats:

- anticonvulsants like phenobarbital or diazepam

These drugs are safe for cats, however there are side effects associated with the use of these drugs which include:

- drowsiness

- loss of coordination

- increased drinking and urine output

- allergic reactions which may adversely affect platelet and white blood cell counts

- facial swelling

- blood clotting disorders


Natural treatments for seizures include:

- switching to a higher quality diet with fewer preservatives

- reduce environmental toxins

- only vaccinate when absolutely necessary (newer research suggests that our pets receive too many vaccines too frequently and there are potentially serious reactions to this repeated stimulation of the cat's immune system that can have serious consequences)

- herbal remedies can be prescribed by a holistic vet properly trained in herbal medicine and experienced in treating cats. Do remember that herbal medicine doesn't produce instant results, it can take awhile for the remedy to build up sufficiently in the cat's system to know whether or not that particular herb is effective for your cat's seizures. Small frequent doses are better than large doses once daily because the herbal remedy needs to build up and remain in your cat's system. If your kitty shows any signs of intolerance to the remedy including vomiting, diarrea or other side effects let your practitioner know immediately and follow his/her instructions. Remember, your kitty's doses may need to be adjusted depending on your cat's ability to tolerate the remedy and response to therapy. It's extremely important that you only use ONE remedy or treatment at any given time, DO NOT add anything else to the cat's treatment unless your practitioner recommends doing so ~ your kitty needs time to get accustomed to the treatment and her body needs time to respond to any given treatment. Be patient, unlike traditional allopathic treatment which sometimes provide instant or very quick results it's best to remember that holistic treatments don't show immediate results, instead they generally show a gradual shift towards a balanced, healthy state.

- Part of a holistic practitioner's treatment recommendations may include changing your cat's diet to a more natural diet such as a well balanced homemade diet made from fresh ingredients or a high quality commercially produced diet like Feline's Pride, Wellness (canned) or Spot's Stew (canned). This is because the cat's system should be in the best possible shape to increase her chances of having the best results with holistic treatments. The very definition of holistic treatment is to treat the entire patient, this includes diet, environmental factors, exercise, mental stimulation and any remedies that are necessary above and beyond the basics.

- NEVER discontinue medications without consulting a holistic veterinarian or your own vet. Some holistic treatments can be given in addition to conventional treatments, but it's important to make sure that the treating vet is aware of all treatments your kitty is getting to prevent potential adverse interactions between treatments.

- PetAlive makes a product called EaseSure, which is a blend of herbal and homeopathic remedies specifically meant to support your cat's nervous system and brain.

This product's ingredients include:

         ~ Passionflower which is to calm and support the nervous system's natural balance

         ~ Skullcap which is used to promote the mind's balance and maintain a healthy state of mind

         ~ Hyoscyamus 30C is a homeopathic remedy that's used for emotional and mental imbalances

         ~ Belladonna 30C is a homeopathic remedy that soothes nervousness and jumpy individuals

         ~ Cuprum mettalicum 30C supports the nervous system and encourages routine digestive function.


- Doc Ackerman’s Epilepsy & Seizure Formula is a herbal remedy meant to treat seizures.

Ingredients include:

         ~ blue vervain is a herb that strengthens the nervous system and relaxes tension and stress. This herb is also said to help with seizures and hysteria. Vervain also helps to reduce inflammation in the gall bladder and jaundice. It's typically said to have sedative effects, acts as an anti-spasmodic and a liver and nerve tonic.
         
         ~ chamomile acts as a mild sedative and it reduces anxiety. This herb can increase drowsiness if your cat is taking benzodiazepines like valium, barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics or antidepressants so it's important to discuss using chamomile or any products that contain this herb with this kitty's treating veterinarian before starting to use these treatments.
         
         ~ ginseng is useful to treat neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease and it can reduce stress and fatigue. Siberian ginseng is an adaptogen which means that it normalizes adverse conditions within the body. Recent research by Russian scientists shows that Siberian ginseng helps to alleviate stress, reduces toxicity of common drugs that produce side effects in people, can improve resistance to colds and infections and of interest in this situation Siberian ginseng can also provide benefits for people (and presumably pets) who are constantly dealing with environmental stresses.
        
         ~ nutmeg can help to treat insomnia, anxiety, muscle spasms, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, joint pain, lower blood pressure, improve concentration, increase circulation, decrease cholesterol, and treat toothaches. Nutmeg can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent and this spice also helps the liver to remove toxins from the body.
         
         ~ passionflower is calming and can relieve muscle spasms.
         
         ~ St. John’s Wort helps to improve attitude, reduce anxiety and depression. This herb can also promote careful thought and ambition. St. John's Wort can also act as a tonic for the kidneys and urinary tract, reduce inflammation, increase energy levels, improve the ability to tolerate stress, increase resistance to viral infections and stabilize moods. This herb is also a more powerful anti-oxidant than vitamins C and E which can help to increase the longevity of cells within the body and reduce recovery time from illness, stress or exertion. St. John's Wort is a very valuable anti-oxidant that helps to protect brain tissue.
         
         ~ valerian root helps to promote relaxation, induce sleep, reduce anxiety, and calm nerves. This herb is a mild tranquilizer and is useful to reduce temporary anxiety or nervousness. Valerian produces fairly mild effects compared to prescription sedatives.

- According to one website there are flower essences that can help minimize the severity of seizures. I'm not familiar with these products, in our household we've always used Bach Flower essences which are very gentle and effective for a variety of situations depending on the specific remedy. Emergency Flower Essences contain Impatiens, Rock Rose, Star of Bethlehem, Waratah, and other natural flower essences, they can be rubbed onto your cat’s skin, lips, ears, or paws before and during a seizure. Bach's Rescue Remedy has a slightly different formulation, it contains: rock rose, star of Bethlehem, impatiens, cherry plum and clematis. You can find Emergency Flower Essences at www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Emergency-Rescue-Flower-Essences/137003.aspx. Once the seizure is over there is a product called Seizures Flower Essences which contains Aspen, Crowea, Impatiens, Saguaro, and other natural flowers. This remedy is meant to help the cat recover more quickly after a seizure. You can find this product at http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Pet-Essences-Seizures-Flower-Essences/137... Apparently these products can be used daily.

If you're interested in asking a holistic vet a few questions I'd recommend that you go to the Ask A Vet portion of this site and ask Dr. Christine Chambreau any questions you might have. She's a holistic vet and she uses homeopathy in her practice. Dr. Chambreau does telephone and internet consultations online or by phone throughout the US for a fee. I sincerely hope that a veterinarian will be able to diagnose this kitty's frightening episodes and they're treatable. In my opinion this is a situation where you can't take "I don't know" or "There's nothing wrong" from your veterinary practitioner. Obviously something's not right, it's important to find a practitioner who is as determined to find out what's going on as you are - this kitty's life may depend on it. I really wish that I had some answers for you, unfortunately I don't. For now I'll keep you and your kitty in my thoughts and prayers, do take care, I wish you the best of luck and I'd certainly appreciate finding out how this kitty does and what exactly is going on with her.