Cats are not exempt from suffering from ischemic problems or from lack of blood supply to the brain, which is known as a stroke or stroke and which may be secondary to an interruption of the blood supply or due to a cerebral haemorrhage. The causes are varied, from accidents or traumatisms to chronic or serious illnesses.
Cat stroke symptoms range from mild with disorientation and confusion to signs such as blindness, head tilt, tremors, ataxia and proprioceptive deficits. In the most serious cases, the stroke leads to the death of the cat. In the prevention of this disease, routine check-ups at the veterinarian are essential in order to detect the first signs of the disease causing it and keep the cat active and well cared for. Continue reading this article on our site about stroke in cats to find out its symptoms, causes and treatmentand get in-depth information and know when to go to the vet.
What is a stroke?
A stroke, also called a stroke or cerebral vascular accident, is caused by a lack or inadequate blood circulation in the brain due to to an interruption of cerebral blood flow or secondary to internal bleeding in the brain. As a consequence of this brain damage or alteration, brain functions related to proprioception, balance, consciousness and the senses are affected. The first clinical signs of stroke in cats can confuse us with another feline neurological problem as they are derived from the vestibular apparatus or seizures.
Types of stroke in cats
Cats can develop three types of strokes, being the following:
- Embolic stroke: occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) occurs in a location other than the cerebral bloodstream, but usually in a nearby location (great vessels of the heart or neck) that affects cerebral circulation.
- Thrombotic stroke: appears when a thrombus or clot develops in the cerebral bloodstream, interrupting the correct blood circulation of the brain.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: occurs when a blood vessel that supplies the brain leaks or breaks, causing blood to flow out and interrupting the correct blood supply to the brain.
Causes of stroke in cats
Whether it is a stroke secondary to an interruption of irrigation due to a clot or derived from a hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident, the causes can be very varied, related to poisoning or, for the most part, stroke it can be secondary to systemic or organic diseases in cats.
The main causes of stroke in cats are as follows:
- Hypertension.
- Increased blood coagulability (polycythemia, multiple myeloma).
- Renal problems.
- Mellitus diabetes.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Liver disease.
- Poisoning.
- Heart disease (bacterial endocarditis).
- Intravascular tumors (lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma).
- Development of blood clots after surgery.
Stroke symptoms in cats
The signs of stroke in cats can be confused with those caused by other neurological diseases. It consists of a focal, acute and non-progressive neurological deficit that usually appears in cats from 8 years of age.
The symptoms are always acute or peracute and generally present with non-convulsive asymmetric cerebral dysfunction. When circulation in the forebrain is disturbed, symptoms can range from from mild disorientation to death In addition, a tournament or occurs.tilting of the head towards the side of the lesion and central blindness may occur, as well as ataxia, increased meowing, and proprioceptive deficits. Other associated signs may include anorexia, weakness, tremors and vomiting.
Diagnosis of stroke in cats
Definitive diagnosis of stroke in cats is achieved with magnetic resonance imaging, which is an advanced imaging test, but that This does not mean that simpler tests such as a blood test and a urinary test should not be carried out beforehand.to detect an underlying disease that caused the stroke.
Fundoscopy may show hemorrhage when coagulopathy or high blood pressure is present and a history, physical and neurological examination of the cat should always be performed to determine the possible cause and location of the problem.
Treatment for stroke in cats
The treatment of stroke in cats is not specific, but supportive or medical, with the aim of stabilizing the cat and preventing it from losing its life.
The first thing is administer oxygen and take a line for the administration of fluid therapyThe fluid used in acute cases is mannitol to combat the increase in brain size and the edema caused by this cerebral infarction. The dose used is usually 0.25-1g/kg intravenously over 10-20 minutes, repeated a maximum of 3 times a day (every 8 hours). This fluid should be combined with hypertonic saline if cranial hypertension is suspected.
Subsequently, you must treat the disease that may have caused it to restore the cat's he alth and prevent recurrences.
Recovery and sequelae of a stroke in cats
Many cats with stroke end up recovering without sequelae. It is important to monitor that cats eat, sleep and behave normally in order to detect any type of behavioral or neurological sequelae such as depression, irritability, poor coordination and gaps
In the minority of cases, cats develop irreversible brain damage with persistent signs that condition their quality and life expectancy. Also, if the stroke recurs, the prognosis is much worse and it can be fatal. The latter is more likely to happen with chronic diseases, hence the importance of early detection and control of these diseases through routine check-ups at the veterinary center.
Discover the most common diseases in cats in this other article and learn to identify their symptoms.
