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9 Symptoms of Cat Stroke

also see Cat Limping

A cat stroke is a health condition that can be of two types. The ischemic stroke occurs when the cat brain is not sufficiently irrigated by blood; the oxygen levels in the brain decrease, causing the stroke. The hemorrhagic stroke is triggered by a vein bursting in the cat's head.

The causes of cat stroke vary from brain injury to an accident or poisoning. A stroke may be a side-effect of an existing medical condition such as diabetes or parasites.

If you suspect your cat may have had a stroke, monitor him closely.

1. Head Tilt

One of the clearest symptoms of the cat stroke is the head tilt to one side. The cat has difficulties in moving his head to the other side. This condition may last a few weeks after the occurrence of the stroke.

2. Mismatched Pupils

Check your cat's eyes; a stroke will cause one of the pupils to be more dilated than the other. However, this symptom is not present in all cases of cat stroke.

3. Loss of Balance

The cat suddenly loses balance, falls or walks in circles. This is an obvious signal that he needs to go to the vet.

4. Ataxia

Ataxia means basically that the cat has lost his power to coordinate his muscles. He stumbles from one side to the other and cannot perform ordinary tasks.

5. Confusion

The cat is confused as a consequence of the stroke. A cat has a strong personality and confusion is not characteristic of a healthy feline.

6. Changes in Behavior

Your cat's behavior will change significantly. He will seek less affection and will show signs of apathy. You might notice that your cat is sleeping more.

7. Lack of Energy

Your cat looks exhausted, but he is abnormally inactive. Things that usually draw your cat's attention will be ignored.

8. Loss of Appetite

The cat is not interested in food. The stroke has caused a state of confusion so your pet could ignore food for a few days. Often, the stroke is accompanied by nausea, so the smell of food might not be agreeable at this time.

9. Weight Loss

The weight loss is the direct result of the lack of appetite and vomiting.

Strokes are not very common in cats, so some of these symptoms can point to other brain diseases; get medical advice for a precise diagnosis.

If detected in time, your cat can fully recover from a stroke within a few weeks. He should regain balance and his normal functions even if the head tilt symptom persists.

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