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.

[weluvcats]

to those that one of my kitties has. How old is Luna? My Sam is 14 and a half, and has been having these tremors for about a year and a half. The time in between when she has these varies. Sometimes weeks go by with not much happening, and then there are periods when she does it a lot. These tremors don't seem to hurt or bother her, fortunately.

My vet ran some labs and they came back okay. She thinks that this is likely neurological, maybe epilepsy or some other seizure disorder (both are not uncommon in cats). Right now we are watching and waiting. Down the road, if it becomes necessary, there are medications we can use. I know cost of treatment is a concern, but has your vet done any labs? Often, vets will work with you on payment. Labs may be helpful in determining what may or may not be the problem.

In the meantime, try not to worry too much (I know...easier said than done). Hang in there!

[kittykatharine]

Thinking of sweet Luna and hoping all is well!

[Kirsten]

Thank you everyone for keeping Luna in your thoughts.

How old is Luna?

Luna is 8, will be 9 in April. What you describe in your Sam sound a lot like Luna. I already asked my vet about epilepsy and she said that would go along with other symptoms Luna doesn't show, but I wonder if there's a mild form of it... Luna's blood was tested three months ago, and as usual, her blood count wasn't so great. Here's the thread. But at that time, the twitching hasn't occured yet.

BTW, some days seem to be better than others; right now, she's in my lap and there is no twitching. But this morning when she lay next to me, it was bad for a couple of times, almost like a hiccup (well, maybe it was). A couple of days ago, I had my hand on her stomach when she was twitching and it seemed to me it came from her thoracic diaphragm. But I'm not sure...

Kirsten

[weluvcats]

According to my vet, it is possible for a cat to have a mild form of a seizure disorder (ie., epilepsy, etc.) As in people, some have a more severe (or mild) type than others.

At this point, it sounds like you're doing pretty much all you can do...keep a watch on her labs, condition and behavior, wait, hope and pray. Boy, it would be nice if either we could speak "cat" or they could speak "human", huh??

Try not to worry too much, love her bunches, and hang in there!!

[Catty1]

I had my hand on her stomach when she was twitching and it seemed to me it came from her thoracic diaphragm.

Hiccups?

Indigestion?