Stroke Symptoms in Cats

If you have a cat for a pet, its overall health is probably very important to you. Some symptoms do not necessarily guarantee that your cat has suffered a stroke because they are very similar to those of other ailments. However, if you are aware of the stroke symptoms described here, you will know what to watch for and how to describe them to your veterinarian.

Identification

A stroke is a sudden loss of blood supply to the brain. This can result in permanent damage to parts of the cat's brain, as well as limited use or complete loss of use in the hind legs. Strokes in cats are not that common, but they definitely do happen.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms include impaired vision, uneven turning of the head to one side, poor balance, falling and weakness in the legs. These symptoms can lead to the discovery of a stroke, but they can also indicate a number of other ailments. A veterinarian will conduct further tests like a CT scan or an MRI, similar to testing a human who has possibly suffered a stroke.

Causes

The main cause of a stroke is the sudden loss of blood supply to the brain. Ischemic stroke can be caused by an artery that has become very narrow to the point of not allowing blood to flow or a blood clot creating an embolism. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by leakage of blood or a burst vessel causing internal bleeding in the brain. High blood pressure is also a factor to watch for that can lead to a stroke.

Prevention/Solution

Prevention of a cat stroke includes regular checkups with the vet, making sure that regular blood work is done, including a chemistry panel and blood count. Once a cat has a stroke, there is nothing that can be done to repair the damaged parts of the brain. Good care is crucial to the well-being of a cat who has suffered a stroke.

Recovery Time

Full recovery may not be possible if the stroke has truly destroyed parts of the brain. However, if the symptoms were identified and the stroke was caught early enough, cats may recover in a few weeks. Usually cats can make a close to full recovery when symptoms are caught in time. Each case is different, though, and it is best to call your veterinarian for any signs that seem unusual and not typical for your cat.

If you have a cat for a pet, its overall health is probably very important to you. Some symptoms do not necessarily guarantee that your cat has suffered a stroke because they are very similar to those of other ailments. However, if you are aware of the stroke symptoms described here, you will know what to watch for and how to describe them to your veterinarian.

Identification

A stroke is a sudden loss of blood supply to the brain. This can result in permanent damage to parts of the cat's brain, as well as limited use or complete loss of use in the hind legs. Strokes in cats are not that common, but they definitely do happen.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms include impaired vision, uneven turning of the head to one side, poor balance, falling and weakness in the legs. These symptoms can lead to the discovery of a stroke, but they can also indicate a number of other ailments. A veterinarian will conduct further tests like a CT scan or an MRI, similar to testing a human who has possibly suffered a stroke.

Causes

The main cause of a stroke is the sudden loss of blood supply to the brain. Ischemic stroke can be caused by an artery that has become very narrow to the point of not allowing blood to flow or a blood clot creating an embolism. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by leakage of blood or a burst vessel causing internal bleeding in the brain. High blood pressure is also a factor to watch for that can lead to a stroke.

Prevention/Solution

Prevention of a cat stroke includes regular checkups with the vet, making sure that regular blood work is done, including a chemistry panel and blood count. Once a cat has a stroke, there is nothing that can be done to repair the damaged parts of the brain. Good care is crucial to the well-being of a cat who has suffered a stroke.

Recovery Time

Full recovery may not be possible if the stroke has truly destroyed parts of the brain. However, if the symptoms were identified and the stroke was caught early enough, cats may recover in a few weeks. Usually cats can make a close to full recovery when symptoms are caught in time. Each case is different, though, and it is best to call your veterinarian for any signs that seem unusual and not typical for your cat.