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

[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.

[Kirsten]

Thanks a lot. Like I said, it doesn't look skin-related to me (fur and skin looks fine), and her blood has recently been tested. Liver and pancreas are okay.

What scares me is the mention of focal seizures. Could be something like that, I think.

Strangely, it seems to occur more often when she's in my arm, like this:


In this position, she's twitching a lot, especially with her legs. Wonder if it's any kind of nerve damage in her spine, even though my vet doesn't think it's that.

Kirsten

[lvpets2002]

Could be the position you are holding her.. She may have a sensitive spot like a funny bone type sensation that makes her twitch some..

[Kirsten]

Could be the position you are holding her.. She may have a sensitive spot like a funny bone type sensation that makes her twitch some..

Hmm, yes... you could be right. Hopefully it's just something like that, that doesn't sound too bad to me. And it doesn't seem to cause her pain, otherwise she would avoid this position, wouldn't she?

Kirsten

[lvpets2002]

Oh yes for sure if it was hurting her = she would fuss or get out of your arms.. I would say its a minor sensation she has that causes her to twitch or could use the word flench..

[Kirsten]

At least it doesn't seem to bother her because she always want to be in my arm like that!

Kirsten

[lvpets2002]

At least it doesn't seem to bother her because she always want to be in my arm like that!

Kirsten

I know my babies can lay is some goofy ways in my lap & arms & are so comfy.. Now I have a couple of babies that you cannot hold that way or even try to set them in your lap on their backs.. They will jump down pronto.. So I would say she is ok.. Like I said she will for sure let you know if she is uncomfy..