Scooter

Poor Scooter had a bad seizure the other day. He had another episode this evening, a ripple of after-effect from the big one I think, just a small one this time,but notable, and scary.

I posted details on my Facebook page the other day but I'm cutting and pasting it into here for people who care about Scooter and who won't have got to see it... maybe if you've had cats with seizures you'll be able to advise. I can find tons of info about seizures in cats on the net but not about what to do during one, other than keep YOURSELF calm, keep them safe, and don't let them get too hot. I went on kitty-mum instincts mostly, and remembering what happened with his previous ones....

Poor Scooter had another seizure yesterday.
We had taken him to the vet just for a check up really, and because he has had a weepy eye for over a week. Not snotty or anything, just weepy.

All went ok. Fine at the vet. Trip in car fine too....

Got in, opened the door to his carrier and he came out slowly, wobbly, fell down. Tried walking again and again, wobbly, fell. No strength in back legs. I recognised what was going on and picked him up and lay him in my arms. I held him and talked to him for 40 mins,holding him still and trying to calm him.

He was purring fast- they purr not just when they're happy, but also when they are scared or stressed, to calm themselves down. I was worried he was hyperventalating at one point. I stroked him slowly and talked to him and took big, deep breaths myself. Soon he was copying me! HE slowly calmed.

Twitching all the time, his head and front paws.

It's best to leave them lying flat when they seize, but only if they're in a safe place and warm. Hence I picked him up and held him, rather than leave him in the middle of the floor. This way I could judge the severity of the twitches, too. In my arms, I tried to hold him flat across my lap, leaning down with him, so his head wasn't far above the rest of him. I tried to sound and feel calm for him, but inside I was breaking up. He never lets anyone hold him normally. He just isnt a cuddle cat.

At one point he burrowed his head under my chin and held on with his front paws.

He lay across me again and tried to walk, but still nothing there in his back legs. We were getting scared hed had a stroke. Then, poor love, the muscles gone, I'm afraid he emptied all his bottom all over me and the cover I was sitting on. K and I quickly found a way to roll all this away so he wouldn't get distressed, and we tucked a towel there.

I spoke with the vet on the phone after 40 mins of this (K called earlier- they called back) and while I was speaking Scooter wobbled a few steps. A few wobbly steps at a time and he had reached his food bowl, where he took a few mouthfuls. Delighted he was in recovery, the vet said to just keep watch.

Over the next hour he was wobbly and walked a few steps a time on his haunches. He couldn't interact with me or make eye contact. Then he crawled along on his belly, sniffing around the place to investigate it. Loss of memory of place and loss of eyesight can happen afterwards, so I just followed him round, talking to him. At one point he walked into a pile of books and just stopped. For 5 mins he just stood there, looking asleep. Then he 'came to', backed up, and went into his box.

His been ok since, quiet, but pops out to lie by the fire now and then, and has been out to use his wee patch in the garden (he won't use litter trays though we leave a clean one down for him).

Today he is sleepy, eating, but not interacting much, and I wonder if his eyesight is stil not back right.

All this just for the stress of a trip to the vet and a ride in the car. Nothing else. Just for a checkup and a weepy eye. What on earth shall we do if he ever shows something more in need of urgent attention?

Poor old thing. He's past his 19th birthday and I guess he is wearing out. My heart breaks at the thought of it. Though, when the time comes, if it's an irrecoverable seizure that takes him in my arms, that might be preferable to any long drawn out illness...... I am trying to see a good side.

The last thing the vet told me was 'spoil him' :) she should come see the house. His blankies and stuff are everywhere.

I've been sleeping downstairs to keep an eye on him since so I'll  be down here again tonight....

I do hope he settles down and becomes stable as Luvbug is away from early Sat to late Mon as he is going to Ireland for his mum's 80th.        

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Love, tea & cake,  
Helena