Cat Seizures: Causes, When to Worry, and When to Seek Care

Seizures in cats can be frightening to witness and are often a sign of an underlying neurological or medical condition. A seizure may involve sudden shaking, twitching, loss of awareness, or abnormal movements.

While some seizures may be brief, they should never be ignored—especially if they are new, severe, or recurring.

Common Causes of Seizures in Cats

Seizures can be caused by a variety of conditions affecting the brain or body. Common causes include:

• Toxin exposure (plants, medications, chemicals)
• Head trauma or injury
• Brain inflammation or infection
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Low blood sugar
• Epilepsy
• Brain tumors

In some cases, the exact cause may not be immediately clear.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Any seizure should be taken seriously, but certain situations require immediate veterinary care.

You should seek care if your cat:

• Is having a seizure for the first time
• Has seizures lasting more than a few minutes
• Has multiple seizures in a short period
• Does not recover fully after a seizure
• Appears disoriented, lethargic, or unresponsive
• May have ingested something toxic

If a seizure lasts longer than a few minutes or your cat has repeated seizures, this is an emergency.

How We Diagnose Seizures in Cats

At Nexus Veterinary Urgent Care, we evaluate seizures by identifying the underlying cause and ruling out serious conditions.

Diagnostics may include:

• Physical and neurologic examination
• Bloodwork to evaluate organ function and metabolic issues
• Toxin screening if exposure is suspected
• Imaging (X-rays or referral for advanced imaging like MRI)
• Additional testing depending on findings

Our goal is to determine whether the seizure is due to a treatable condition or requires long-term management.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the seizures.

Common treatments may include:

• Anti-seizure medications
• Treatment for toxin exposure
• Management of underlying conditions (liver, kidney, metabolic issues)
• Supportive care and monitoring

Some cats may require ongoing medication to control seizures.

When in Doubt, Give Us a Call

We provide same-day urgent care to help your pet get the care they need as soon as possible in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk. Visit us at 1124 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 or call us at 757-974-8111.