fainting in cats can be a symptom of various pathologies, whether minor or major. Although resuscitation is not required, the visit to the vet is a must, as we must find the underlying cause of the fainting.
In this article on our site we will explain why a cat faints, along with the main causes of fainting in cats, the first aid to apply and other important details you need to know.
Syncope in cats
What we colloquially describe as fainting, in medical terms is called syncope It consists of a momentary loss of consciousness, so the individual, in this case the cat, falls to the ground without being able to avoid it and without being aware of it. It can have a variable duration.
But how does syncope occur in cats? It is mainly due to a lack of oxygen supply to the brain, which can be caused by decreased blood flow, decreased blood pressure, partial pressure arterial oxygen or decreased hemoglobin concentration. It may be accompanied by drooling and urination on some occasions, although it should be noted that it is not the most frequent.
The cat usually recovers after a few seconds, as the episodes are short and sudden. When you wake up, you are likely to be confused and nervous, as well as shaky. This disorientation should wear off in no time.
Causes of syncope in cats
There are various causes that can cause fainting or fainting in cats, which can only be confirmed by diagnostic tests As we have mentioned, syncope is a syndrome, not a disease, so below we will show you the pathologies that commonly cause it:
- Heart Diseases: This is the most common reason why a cat faints. Heart disease occurs when blood is not pumped properly through the body. Cough, whitish gums, tachycardia and pulmonary edema are among the symptoms of heart disease. Fainting also stands out.
- Feline Leukemia: Leukemia is a disease caused by a virus. It is quickly transmitted between felines and the affected cat will require treatment and care for life. Symptoms of this disease include fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. All this can cause weakness and even syncope.
- Drug intake: All drugs are susceptible to side effects, but these only occur in some patients. If your cat is receiving any treatment and faints, inform your veterinarian immediately, as the fainting may be due to the effect of the drug or the interaction between different drugs.
- Pneumonia: Pneumonia is a lung disease that has a variety of causes, including feline calicivirus, obstruction of the airways from obstruction and sudden changes in temperature. Symptoms include shortness of breath, lethargy, and difficulty swallowing. All this can cause fainting if the feline runs out of air, even for a short time.
- Anemia: A cat has anemia when his blood has a number of red blood cells below normal parameters. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood, so this decrease has various consequences. Among them it is possible to mention the decrease in appetite and fatigue, which causes fainting when the feline is very weak.
- Poisoning: the ingestion of toxic substances can also cause fainting in the cat, as occurs in cases of poisoning and intoxication. Poisoning occurs when the cat mistakenly ingests dangerous substances, such as cleaning products, medicines for humans, animals or toxic plants and insecticides, among others. Symptoms include excessive salivation, dilated pupils, tachycardia, sneezing, diarrhea, and vomiting. If it happens that your cat vomits and then passes out, or vice versa, it is possible that the cause is poisoning or intoxication.
The veterinary is the only professional figure qualified to confirm a diagnosis, as well as to prescribe an effective treatment. If you suspect that your cat suffers from any of the aforementioned diseases, visit the specialist as soon as possible, this way your cat will have a better prognosis.
What to do if your cat faints?
Watching your cat faint can be very unsettling, so your first reaction will most likely be to get nervous. However, this is the time when your cat needs you most, so make an effort to stay calm.
Place the cat on a flat surface and support its body from its torso to its hind legs to raise it slightly, so that head is lower. Perform this operation very carefully, you will help the blood to reach the brain. After this, cover the cat with a blanket so it doesn't lose body heat.
You should be aware of any reaction that occurs while unconscious, be it shaking, involuntary urination, drooling or vomiting If you notice that vomits, place its head with the snout down so that it can expel it. If you don't, he could drown and die.
Wait for him to regain consciousness, a few minutes. Upon awakening he will be nervous and clumsy. Try to calm him down with petting and talking to him in a calm voiceWhen you notice that he is more relaxed, it's time to go to the vet. It is best to go the same day the syncope episode occurs to quickly determine the cause.
