I think my Lucy had a Stroke or a Seizure

[catfamily]

I'm not sure but this afternoon me and Lucy and her sister Penny were on the big bed relaxing with the TV off while I was reading.
I looked up at my Lucy and noticed she was looking odd.I got right up and went close to her,and she was in a daze...dark eyes...slowly moving her head...VERY slow like a slow motion film in slow motion.She was lying on her tummy in her relaxed way but her paws also(front paws)were moving(the hand part)and also in slow motion.It was so strange and I knew it wasn't normal.
Of course my eyes started tearing up so bad...I thought "I" myself was going to have a stroke or heart attack.We are so close...me and Lucy AND her sister Penny.We always relax together.(us 3)
This freaked me out.She's fine now.But I know something happened.Does anyone know what those symptoms are?She eats GREAT food and drinks plenty of water.There is absolutley NO chance of her getting into anything poisoness.I clean this house so that it is very cat safe.I am very distraught although Lucy is fine now.I will call the vet tomorrow because today was a Holiday but if there are any knowledgeable people to give me a cue as to what happened,I'd appreciate it.
Thanks
Carla
This is how we relax together all the time.Me Lucy and Penny(her sister littermate).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/carla_mike/catfamily%205/1-31-07lucypennyandme.jpg

[jazzcat]

It does sound like a seizure Carla. My sister's dog started having them over the holidays and he's now on medication to control them (the same thing my father takes to control his).

(((HUGS)))

[catmandu]

Oh My God!!
We Are Hoping That Its Nothing Serious And Is Just A Warning That Something Might Be Wrong, And That The White Coats Can Give Lucy Something To Bring Her Back To Her Old Self.
Prayers Are Coming For Lucy.

[Laura's Babies]

Was she sleeping or was she awake? Did she respond to you when you called her name or touched her? IF she was sleeping, she could have been dreaming.. If she were mine, I would get her checked so you are doing the right thing taking her in tomorrow. I know how we all are about our babies so just keep a eye on her until them and love her all you can.... :rolleyes: like you need to be told that, huh?

[catfamily]

It does sound like a seizure Carla. My sister's dog started having them over the holidays and he's now on medication to control them (the same thing my father takes to control his).

(((HUGS)))
OH GOD!!Thanks for telling me Lori.At least I'll be ready to talk to the Doctor Tomorrow.
What medication?And will she die young?She has a heart murmer but I had an ultra sound done on her when I brought Winston(God rest his Soul)for his too and Lucy's showed something with the valve(can't remember)but the heart specialist said it wasn't anything to worry about and she'd live a long life but he said Winston's was entirely different (being very enlarged and hardening fast on the outside).I shivered at the thought back then.I miss that Winston.He was too great to leave so soon.
But my Lucy's was entirely different and I was happy that she'd be fine and live long like any other cat.
THIS today what happened freaked me out totally!!
I am WAY to close to her.
Is she going to die young?I can't stop crying.

[catfamily]

Was she sleeping or was she awake? Did she respond to you when you called her name or touched her? IF she was sleeping, she could have been dreaming.. If she were mine, I would get her checked so you are doing the right thing taking her in tomorrow. I know how we all are about our babies so just keep a eye on her until them and love her all you can.... :rolleyes: like you need to be told that, huh?
She was awake and very spaced out.Looking around staying calm though but she was dazed and confused looking.I stayed with her...touched and talked(whispered) and then waited till she looked ok and picked her up(she usually struggles to get down but didn't)I brought her in the bathroom with me and we layed on the rug together for a long time and she started rolling around on the rug again like usual.She seemed a tiny bit week for about an hour or so(no struggling when picking her up)and then ,now she is her self.

[jazzcat]

Carla, my Dad takes Dilantin and my sister's dog take phenobarbital (the generic I believe). It sounds like a seizure to me but try not to panic too much until you talk to your vet and find out what it is. If it is seizures the main thing will be to determine if there is something serious causing them or not. It's possible for pets and people to live long healthy lives with medication to control their seizures.

[jenluckenbach]

I have no experience with siezures, but try not to panic. Prayers for Lucy.

[catfamily]

Carla, my Dad takes Dilantin and my sister's dog take phenobarbital (the generic I believe). It sounds like a seizure to me but try not to panic too much until you talk to your vet and find out what it is. If it is seizures the main thing will be to determine if there is something serious causing them or not. It's possible for pets and people to live long healthy lives with medication to control their seizures.
OK I'll try to calm down but It's really hard.She's so obsessed by me like my BooBoo that died.But I DID notice that a few months ago her face looked different.I told Mike but he just brushed me off.She looked tired and her front paws looked a bit fatter to me.Again...Mike didn't think so.
I Analize my cats all the time.I watch them so much and notice any kind of change.
Lori...To me...it looked more like a stroke...heart attack?
I wonder. :(
She's been my little love and she's always following me all the time.Even if I get up to go pee in the middle of the night..she runs after me.She's the only cat besides my late BoBoo that wants me for me and not for the food I give them or playtime I give them.So..you can see why I'm freaked out.

[Grace]

I would also guess a seizure or TIA (transient ischemic attack) - if animals can have that problem. Something neurological.

Talk to your Vet - maybe it will be a onetime event.

[Freedom]

Ihope it is nothing serious. Please keep us updated! Prayers for all of you.

[catfamily]

I would also guess a seizure or TIA (transient ischemic attack) - if animals can have that problem. Something neurological.

Talk to your Vet - maybe it will be a onetime event.
Thank you.I also hope it was a one time thing.I'll ask my vet abot TIA.I never heard of it.

[catfamily]

Thank You EVERYONE :)

[Medusa]

I experienced the same thing w/Coco Puff shortly after moving into this house. He did have a slight seizure because, as it turns out, he is a cerebellar hypoplasia cat. He has never had another seizure since, though. Also, I can tell you that years ago my dog Charmin had seizures and she took phenolbarbitol and she lived to be 18 1/2 years old. And they were quality years, too. So, try not to worry too much. I'm sure your vet will know just what to do. A candle burns for you all. Keep us posted.

Blessings,
Mary

[Donnaj4962]

Oh my, I am so sorry hear this. I hope that Lucy will be okay. Many prayers coming your way from me and the girls in Indiana.

What happened to Lucy sounds something like what happened to my Tabitha about 4 years ago. (She was 14 then!) It was morning, and she always would jump from the bed when I would get up. But that morning, she just layed there, with something of a blank stare on her face. She wouldn't move. I sat beside her and gently stroked her and kept gently saying her name over and over. I was sooooo scared, I thought my heart would pound out of my chest! I carried her downstairs and layed her on the couch. Again, she just layed there when normally she would have headed straight for the kitchen for food. I wrapped her in a blanket, called the office to tell them I would be late, if in at all, and off to the vet we went. They took her right away, and by that time she was meowing, some purring, etc. The vet found her red blood cell count was slightly elevated, and she had a very slight fever, but other than that, she was fine! She even walked around the room and jumped onto a chair and then onto a shelf! He thought she may have had a mini stroke. He told me to go home and he suggested I stay with her all day to keep an eye on her. I have never seen another episode!

I hope and pray that your outcome is as good as ours! Please keep us posted!

Edited to add:And I don't mean to "hijack" this thread....but I just have to also say that when I called my boss, I was crying, as I was so scared and had no idea what was happening. When Tabitha and I came out of the exam room, there sat my boss, patiently waiting, just in case I needed a shoulder to cry on. Isn't that GREAT????? I am so lucky to have such a caring boss!

[jazzcat]

Carla, my Dad started having seziures a little over 4 years ago. To this day the doctors still don't know why or what caused them but they believe it may be that he is having mini strokes so little and light that they are undetectable even with MRI - he went through a battery of tests. They finally decided what ever the cause Dilantin controls them and that is all that matters. He's been on the meds for 4 years now with no problems except when he got stubborn (part of his dementia/alzheimer's) and stopped taking the meds for a few days. He had a big seizure in his sleep and bit his tongue really badly.

As for my sister's dog, I don't think they know why he started having them but so far for the past month the meds are controling them. He's a 10 year old wire hair terrier.

I know it's hard to stay calm, I can imagine how I would be in this situation, but just watch her closely and call your vet in the morning. Try not to worry about the big picture until you know what it is. (((HUGS)))

[DrKym]

I don't know if this will help you or not but our late great Siamese Solomon was 3 months shy of 22 when he passed on 04, he had seizures from the time he was 2, he was also put on a barbituate, we took him in a few times a year to check weight, and dosage changes if needed.

He took his meds in a bit of liverwurst daily, and the worst that ever happened were some smelly pooters from him.

His personality never changed, he was a smart loving attentive wonderful cat, he is sorely missed , but he died from old age not his medical issues.

Hugs to you and candles will be lit for you all!

[Medusa]

When my dog Charmin had her first seizure, it was shortly after she gave birth. My vet told me that occurs sometimes, especially in small breeds. And, as I mentioned before, she was on phenolbarbitol her entire life w/no side effects and she lived to be 18 1/2.

Blessings,
Mary

[rg_girlca]

You have some positive replies here that I hope will help calm your nerves some.

Prayers on the way that it is nothing serious with your precious Lucy and calming {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} for you.

[Taz_Zoee]

I understand your panic, as I would be the same way if it were either of my "kids'. But from what others have posted, it looks like you will have nothing to worry about. Except maybe giving medication daily. Which would be nothing as long as you have Lucy to snuggle up with for a nap. :)
Lucy and you are in my thoughts tonight and until I read that everything is A-OK tomorrow.

[Catlady711]

Sorry to hear about Lucy. Is she an older cat? I hope this was just a one time incident with no other problems.

Strokes are not as common in animals as siezures are.

If it's any consolation let me tell you about my only personal experience with a siezure.

Dusty (now 16 1/2 yrs old) had a siezure about 2 years ago. I was in another room and heard loud pitiful meowing, so I come out to see what's up and the other cats were all nervous and looking by my table. I saw Dusty laying on her side, feet 'paddling' and her whole body shaking mildly. She was unresponsive to me, and had let loose her bowels. Now while I do work at a vet hospital, this is the first time I've ever actually SEEN a siezure happening. While I did have enough sense to note which side she was laying on, and approximate time the siezure lasted, I was in a TOTAL PANIC otherwise. You'd think I would have enough training not to, but I couldn't help myself. Anyways I also took her in the bathroom (mostly because I had just gotten out of the shower and wasn't dressed, and Dusty was laying by a picture window!). I just petted her and kept talking to her. I've been told animals having seizures aren't so much in pain as just plain confused and baffled, and petting or talking to them helps comfort them. Anyways once her siezure was done (less than 2 minutes, although seemed like an eternity) she got up and was a little shaky. I took her to work with me and the vet said she appeared healthy and couldn't find any explanation for her seizure. Although I'm inclined to believe the other cats picking on her stresses her out and could have caused it, but she had been sleeping in her kitty bed prior to the seizure (because I found stool there also). She slept alot that day but was back to normal the next day. Anyways she has not had a seizure since and other than severe osteoarthritis she's healthy otherwise and has not needed any medication for siezures in those 2 years.

It's hard NOT to panic when one of your furkids is not acting normally. Hopefully your Lucy will be just fine, but do get her to the vet for a check up to make sure there is not something that may have caused a siezure. Keep us posted.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear this and I sure hope that it won't happen again.:( She'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

[catfamily]

[QUOTE=Catlady711]Sorry to hear about Lucy. Is she an older cat? I hope this was just a one time incident with no other problems.
Strokes are not as common in animals as siezures are.


Thank You...And Also...Thank You everyone again.She is about 5 years old.
About strokes being more common...I figured that but for some reason I thought a stroke because there was no shaking at all.Just spacey eyes head moving in slow motion and her arms moving in slow motion not know what to do with her arms in a lay on front side position sitting up relaxing the same way she was before it happened.She was awake when it happened,no shaking or even nor did she move her body to the side.And...I as I said earlier..I notce a tired change in her face and personally ,I thought her paws looked thicker(front).Heart problem people get fluid in their paws(I wish I went to school to be a vet specialist in my youth).Also she seems weaker now.Reason:She does not struggle hard enogh when I pick her up to get down.She loves to be picked up for attention but quickly rushes to get down for me to follow her anywhere or just to pat her while she scratches our wall scratcher.She's so adorable and loveable(a bit jealous).But basically loves everyone and super gentle and fun loving.
She followed me again to sit by me while typing.Here she is now with me.I just now took this and put it in photobucket.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/carla_mike/catfamily%205/2-20-07lucywatchingmamma.jpg
I want everyone to know I am writing all possibilities from you guys and possible meds to throw out to the vet also.He knows I belong to pettalk so he won't mind me telling him everyone's thoughts.I REALLY appreciate it everyone.

[catfamily]

I called the vet and the lady I talked to had said to watch her and see if it happens again.She really doesn't know if it's a stroke or a seizure.She said if she's fine,I don't have to bring her in but if it happens more often...bring her in.And she also said it's very hard to give meds out (or know her life span)when they just don't know what it could be,unless we know where it happened in the brain.So unless I spend a ton of money (that I don't have) in otherwords.Probably useless money spent too.
I'll just keep a very close eye on her and(keep her very calm).
I want to thank everyone for all their info,and positive thoughts/prayers/hugs.I appreciate it very much.
Carla

[kimlovescats]

Gosh Carla, I am JUST NOW seeing this thread!!!! :eek: I am so sorry I missed it yesterday! Remember that Tabitha had this same thing happen a week or two ago? The vet told me the same thing .... just document whenever it happens and if it starts happening regularly, like monthly or more often, they will just put her on some medication. Try not to worry, honey!!!

HUGS,
Kim

[catfamily]

Gosh Carla, I am JUST NOW seeing this thread!!!! :eek: I am so sorry I missed it yesterday! Remember that Tabitha had this same thing happen a week or two ago? The vet told me the same thing .... just document whenever it happens and if it starts happening regularly, like monthly or more often, they will just put her on some medication. Try not to worry, honey!!!

HUGS,
Kim
I was thinking of Tabitha right after it happened.I'm calmer.Thank You and everyone else.