Worried about Luna: Strange symptom; she's twitching (update #36)

[Kirsten]

Luna's very attached to me lately, spends a lot of time in my arm when I'm at the computer. A week ago, I noticed for the first time that her entire body is kind of twitching, down to her paws... Sometimes, this happens every couple of seconds. It's hard to describe, it resembles a hiccup, but without any sounds... I also saw her twitching - barely visible - on other occasions, but it seems to be worse and occurs more often when she's lying on her back, curled up in my arm.

Looks nerve related to me, and my biggest fear is she may have a brain tumor. Already spoke to my vet about it, but of course there's not much she can do. To find out, it would require an MRT, which of course I cannot affort, and even if I could and would get the dreadful news, it wouldn't help because in that case, there's nothing you can do...

So my vet suggested to try not to worry too much, as Luna doesn't show any other symptoms of a brain tumor. She also suggested B-vitamins to support the functionality of her nerves. I already started with these vitamins.

But I'm still worried. The thought that my beloved girl may have such a terrible disease is like a heavy weight on my shoulders.

Please keep my Luna in your thoughts and prayers...

Thanks,
Kirsten

[Randi]

Kirsten, I hope that Luna's twitching isn't anything serious. You do have to believe that! Fister is also twitching now and again, but otherwise, he seems in great form - racing in the yard, eating well, peeing and pooping. And I just noticed how shiny his coat is.

Could it be that her skin is itching now it's winter? Mine do.

Kisses to Luna, and hope she'll be fine!

[Kirsten]

Could it be that her skin is itching now it's winter?

Well, to me it seems it's not her skin. It's her entire body. But I really hope it's nothing serious. Same goes for Fister!

Kirsten

[Barbara]

Still hoping it's nothing serious- as long as she's well otherwise.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I sure hope that it's nothing serious. Does she do this when she's sleeping? I've sometimes noticed my cats twitching too. I always thought that it was because they were having a dream. I'm sending positive vibes her way.

[shepgirl]

Could it be reverse sneezing? Not sure if cats get this since I'm not a cat owner.

[Alasse]

My old girl had very similar thing going on, she wouldn't leave me alone and twitching, sadly it ended badly for her, she ended up having high blood pressure which caused a series of strokes, i had her pts.

I pray this is not where your kitty is heading, it may pay to have her checked by a vet

[Kirsten]

Thank your for keeping my girl in your thoughts and prayers.

Not sure, but it doesn't feel like reverse sneezing to me, nor is it the kind of twitching they do in their sleep.

he ended up having high blood pressure which caused a series of strokes, i had her pts.

I'm very sorry!
How did the vet find out about the blood pressure? Is there a way to test this in cats?


BTW, I did not notice her twitching today, I figure it cannot be the B-vitamins kicking in already?

Kirsten

[Scooter's Mom]

Keeping Luna in my thoughts. I know how worried you must be.
Give her a kiss for me!

[Medusa]

Is Luna on any type of medication? My Puddy twitched like that, it was a little tic that she developed while on some meds but when I discontinued them, the twitching stopped. Also, the B vitamins is a great idea and, yes, they do work fast. I also put Puddy on B complex vitamins, injected them right into her bag of fluids when she was on subQ's and the positive change was immediate.

There is a condition called hyperesthesia, a skin condition that can cause twitching but I can't recall too much about it. I looked into it when Puddy was twitching but, as I said, hers was due to medication. Also, if a cat is low on potassium, it can twitch but I hear that Rescue Remedy in the drinking water is good for that.

If Luna continues w/the twitching, you'll have to get some tests done but if the B complex vitamins stopped it, then you may just have found the solution. Let us know how she's doing.

[Emeraldgreen]

I hope the B vitamins work. It sounds like there might be some improvement already which is great.

I was also wondering if it might be her skin as Randi posted. I know you said it's her whole body but skin covers all of her so it still could be that. My cat Stinky has been having some food allergies (I think) and she has been pulling her fur out on her belly which is now pink. She too is twitching, sometimes on her face, or her body. I don't yet know what ingredient she is allergic to but I think the two are related.
Have you changed foods lately or introduced any new treats in their diet?
Or if the air is really dry and making her skin itchy, a humidifier might help.
Prayers that it is nothing serious.

[Kirsten]

Well, I'm really confused now... Luna did it again, yesterday in the evening when she came onto my lap. Today, I noticed the same in Lily, but only once. So maybe it's nothing serious after all...? Still, it doesn't look skin-related to me.

And no, Luna is not on some kind of medication. I changed her diet to Hill's s/d a while ago to dissolve her struvite crystals. But she's been on that diet before in the past. And in her last blood test, potassium was fine.

Right now she's in my lap again and the twitching happens every couple of seconds, down to her legs and paws... Strangly enough, it seems to stop when I'm petting her.

Thanks for keeping Luna in your thoughts.

Kirsten

[LionHart]

Adding my thoughts and prayers for Beautiful Luna, and you.

[Kirsten]

Thank you!

She's still doing it. I'm getting the impression that it happens when she's relaxed.

Kirsten

[kittykatharine]

That is definitley strange. My kitties have all twitched, but it has always been because they were dreaming, they were itchy, or they were just plain cold.

I found this online, written by a vet:

There are a number of causes of twitching in cats, because this can be
associated with pruritis (itchiness) and there are a lot of causes of
pruritis. If this occurs very frequently during the day it is probably
more likely to be some sort of problem with itchiness. If it occurs
infrequently during the day then something like a focal seizure may be
possible. These are reported in cats more frequently than in dogs (at
least that is my impression, I'm not sure it is actually true). Twitching
is sometimes seen with liver disorders, pancreatitis, low blood sugar and
high blood sugar, as well. I think that toxoplasmosis causes enough
neurologic problems that twitching could be related to it, but haven't
seen that written anywhere.

One particularly common cause of twitching is feline hyperesthesia
syndrome, but normally the twitching occurs more along the flanks and top
of the spine near the base of the tail. Often, cats with this condition
are OK unless they are touched or petted, but many will have twitching and
even self-mutilation without any external stimulus.

Facial twitches have been reported with feline immunodeficiency virus
infection and sometimes occur when there is periodontal disease,
odontoclastic lesions of teeth or stomatitis in cats.

Ear mites make some cats twitch their heads or ears. Fleas can do this.
Allergies make some cats so itchy that they have skin twitching. Mite
infections (cats get several skin mites) can cause itchiness and twitching.

Your vet probably didn't see any clinical signs of skin disease or ear
mites and may think that the other conditions are unlikely. If this
problem is getting worse, if there is visible skin damage in addition to
the twitching or if you just want to know if a cause can be identified,
you should schedule a visit with your vet for this particular problem.
Sometimes I forget to take things that clients mention during an exam,
that isn't part of the presenting problem, seriously enough. I assume
other vets might do that, too.

Hope this helps some. Feel free to write back if you need clarification
about what any of these conditions are.

Mike Richards, DVM
2/16/2000



Keep us updated on the little baby, I am praying it is nothing serious.