A cat with feline hyperesthesia syndrome may have any of the following signs: Rippling or twitching of skin on the lower back (both after touch and for no apparent reason) Dilated pupils Jumping and running Excessive meowing and other noises Tail-chasing Biting or licking the lower back, sides, hind paws, rear, or tail When to take a sneezing cat to the vet - Two Great Little Veterinary However, hairballs are a common reason for coughs in cats, and typically, those are easily treated with an over-the-counter hairball medication. Your vet may perform the following tests: A dermatological (skin) workup to identify possible flea allergies, even if your cat does not go outdoors. In very rare cases, sneezing in cats can be a sign of cancer. They include: Inhaled irritants or allergens. Cats will also make a high-pitched, almost chirping-like sound when they do it. The best solution is to visit a vet so that he or she can give your pet a whole check-up to identify the source of the issue. Site Help | Disorientation. Dental Problems Treatments. During an attack, your cat will behave as if he is reacting to hallucinatory stimuli. When the cerebellum is affected by inflammation of any kind, head bobbing or tremors will likely be seen. Your veterinarian can determine if it is an infection, e.g. it does sound like fleas, have you given her a real good bath with flea shampoo? Upper respiratory infections plague animal shelters and other feline communities throughout the country. Cats with mild cases of feline herpes may just have a runny eye during flare-ups. About Privacy policy Disclaimer Increased vocalizing. As the muscles heal, they can twitch, and if there is a broken bone, you may also notice twitching. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,270 times. Common Symptoms: Normal to increased appetite with weight loss, digestive signs (vomiting and/or diarrhea), signs associated with high blood pressure (restlessness, lethargy, sudden blindness, difficulty walking or using legs, increased drinking and urination, behavioral changes (restlessness, agitation . You might find signs of ear mites, ticks, and fleas in the cat's ears. Low blood calcium levels can occur as a result of lactation, vitamin D deficiency, pancreatitis, phosphate enemas, chronic kidney disease, and hypoparathyroidism. Cats with ear issues often paw or scratch at their ears and shake their head. Your symptoms might include: Stuffy or runny nose. When youre at the vet, theyll do a physical exam and run tests to figure out whats going on, such as whether its an ear infection or vestibular disease. Marioni-Henry K, Amengual Battle P, Nuttall T, Rusbridge C, Heath S. Diagnostic investigation in 13 cats with suspected feline hyperesthesia syndrome. 6. According to Holmboe, the most common allergens include: Dust Mold Cigarette smoke Benign fasciculations can be caused by exercise or stress. Featured Image: fotovictoria, Shutterstock. What It Means When Your Cat Is Smacking Their Lips - PetPlace Badges also come in 3 sizes, and again, twitch requires all 3. In some cases, cats will also have excessive thirst and urination, vomiting . Sensitivity to touch, especially along the spine, which may induce aggression. Here we describe when cat head bobbing is normal, the many causes, and when to talk to your veterinarian. The most common cause of involuntary muscle twitching that we experienced after owning several cats was dreaming. or take her back to the vet to check for mites and stuff, since she's not doing well. Cat Nail Biting: What to Do If Your Cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? A variety of other factors may contribute to sneezing in cats. Fluid retention or build-up. Fluid and Urinary Issues Treatments. Quick Overview: Hyperthyroidism In Cats. Most feline respiratory ailments are treatable. Dr. Emily Swiniarski is Medical Director of Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, Illinois. Her twitches never affected her health. Can you take a video of these spasms happening on your phone, and show them to the vet? Infection, swelling, or parasitic infestation of the ear canal can be extremely uncomfortable and disconcerting for your pet. Was your cat recently anesthetized at another clinic? For more advice from our Veterinary co-author, including how to give your vet additional medical information about your cat to help them make a diagnosis, read on! If these spasms were not ongoing, I wouldn't worry, but with the frequency there is a concern. Coughing, sneezing, head tilt, drooping eyelid, ear inflammation, or nasal discharge are all signs of an ear polyp, depending on where it is located. Cat Shaking Head: Causes and Treatments for Cat Head Shaking Another telltale sign of neuropathy is walking on her hocks or ankles. 11. Kidney failure causes electrolyte imbalances and can make your cats muscles contract uncontrollably. Besides the watery eyes, runny nose, and congestion, you may . Skin irritation, which may be due to an insect or an irritant such as a grass seed trapped in the fur. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an MS in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Repeat a further two times. It can be local to one part of the body or more general. 3. She has always had her quirks which I attribute mostly to being taken away from her Mother too early. This occurs with any imbalance of electrolytes (key elements in the body like sodium or potassium), blood sugar, or insulin. Sneezing. Sick cats often lie quietly in a hunched position. This article has been viewed 22,270 times. The two most common causes of upper respiratory infections in cats are the viral infections feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. These symptoms may include: If your cat sneezes only once in a while, has no other symptoms, or has only mild symptoms, you may want to simply monitor them for a few days. For example, its common for cats to experience sneezing within four to seven days of receiving an intranasal vaccine. Your cat will not have control over this, so its best to stay calm and try not to handle your cat during an episode, even though the signs can be severe and even frightening. Upper respiratory infection in cats can cause some seriously harsh hacking coughs. Was your cat okay in the end? I Need Serious Help - Unexplained Spasms | TheCatSite 00:0012:45. This action usually comes after an exciting day when the cat has seen a bird or squirrel in the yard. For example, if your cat keeps sneezing but seems fine, is wheezing or coughing, or has started snoring more than usual, allergies are a likely cause. Meningitis or meningoencephalitis refer to inflammation of the brain or the outer layer of the brain and spinal cord. This can occur secondary to trauma, systemic (full body) disease or congenital issue like an abnormal vessel in the brain. Runny nose. Degenerative conditions. Cat Articles | There are many causes of systemic (i.e. Full author bio. "The feeling of liquid in a cat's nose can stimulate a sneeze reaction," Erick Mears, DVM, DACVIM, medical director of BluePearl Pet Hospital in Tampa Bay, Fla., says. There are not many treatment options for cancer, but it depends on which type of cancer your cat has. If you suspect your cat hasrabies, please isolate it in a room and report it to animal services. While it did not cause them to chew off their fur, we would see their skin twitching occasionally, and they would suddenly run around the house making loud vocal noises. All Rights Reserved 2022. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. It is important to make sure this nutrient is present at an adequate level in your cats diet. Did your cat eat anything toxic, such as human foods with xylitol, household cleaners, rodent poison, or antifreeze? Your veterinarian may conduct bacterial or fungal cultures to identify pathogens in the ears or nose. Allergens "There are several household allergens and irritants that can cause sneezing or coughing in cats," says Patrik Holmboe, head veterinarian at Cooper Pet Care . My Cat is Sneezing: When to Be Concerned Apart from your cat shaking head, you will often notice other signs of infection, inflammation, or itching such as scratching the ears, ear discharge, bleeding from the ears, sneezing, and head tilting among others. Change in consciousness. Many possible causes of poisoning. Nonallergic rhinitis most often doesn't cause an itchy nose, eyes or throat. The good news is most cats respond well to treatment and will usually recover fully within two weeks. Vitamin D supplements to help with the absorption of calcium. If there's a tumor or lesion of some sort, your cat may need a biopsy. Cat facial twitches / seizure - YouTube Parasites can also make a cat scratch its ears. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper. Apply the detergent, rinse off. Wounds. Intravenous fluids to maintain hydration. Can Cats Get Colds? Then, you can follow their treatment recommendations for your cat. If you touch your cat during an FHS episode, you could make the signs worse, and your cat might become aggressive. She shares her home with Loki, a "Heinz 57" dog she adopted in 2017. Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. Its not necessarily essential to see your vet if you suspect your cat has fleas, but it is important to immediately get them medication. Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. Another common reason for twitching in a cat is itchy and irritated skin. Feline Herpes: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment, Diminished sense of smell, leading to weight loss and loss of appetite, Thick nasal discharge that may be a yellow, green, or reddish color, Uncharacteristic aggressive or antisocial behavior. Your cat's prognosis depends on the underlying cause and available treatment options. Inhaled irritants or allergens are other common causes of sneezing in cats. Weve also had a few cats with hyperesthesia. Noting the other symptoms, along with the head bobbing, can help your veterinarian figure out what is wrong. Avoid activities such as grooming or petting if your cat becomes aggressive. Shaking could be a sign of many things including poisoning, protozoal infections, ear disease, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, or a brain tumor. Similar to colds in humans, these infections are more common in young cats, especially in those coming from animal shelters. Chronic sinus congestion in cats has several causes. Frequent head-shaking. However, if you happen to be at the vet already, it can help get an early diagnosis and some advice to help combat it in the future. Infections of the feline tooth can allow bacteria to establish in the nasal sinus with resulting inflammation and sneezing. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent it, and every cat and dog must be vaccinated against rabies. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Several nutritional deficiencies can cause involuntary muscle movements in your cat. I took her to the vet and the vet thought that whom ever owned her as a tiny kitty was abusive. Typically, the anxiety causes stress and that stress can put tension on muscles and nerves. Feline Audiogenic Reflex Seizures (FARS) 20th August 2018. 7 Causes of Cat Sneezing - Pet Health Network If your cat begins twitching and scratching intensely out of nowhere, don't write it off as just another strange behavior. When cats experience hyperesthesia syndrome, their backsides become extremely . No, there is nothing to be alarmed about if you see your cat twitching while it sleeps. Well also tell you what to look for, so you know when its time to take your pet to the vet. This is a normal way of exploring new things. Neuromuscular irritability (nervousness, whiskers twitching, facial rubbing, involuntary muscle contractions). Why do Elderly Cats Suffer From Chronic Sinus Congestion? The main symptoms besides watery eyes runny nose are itchy throat, sore throat, congestion, cough, mild headache, sneezing, body aches, fatigue, and a low grade fever. 16 year old cat's head is now twitching/shaking slightly, sometimes It is a viral infection that is zoonotic, which means humans and any other mammal can contract it as well if bitten by an infected animal. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Hay Fever. This time, however, her actions included hiding from us, excessive cleaning, sneezing and ear twitching. The ears often become red and inflamed and may develop an offensive odor. Let our authors & experts know what you think. Head bobbing is normal when cats are very sleepy and are about to fall asleep. Dental problems. Cats sneeze excessively when their nose is irritated or blocked with an excess of mucus. 1) Clean your house thoroughly to minimize airborne irritants like dust or perfumes. In some cases, the vet may take a swab from the mouth, throat, eyes, or nose and send it to a lab to confirm an infection. Learn more. Appetite Loss, Nausea and Vomiting. This infection can affect the brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, and skin. Why Is My Cat Scratching Its Ears and Shaking Its Head? A cat that is shaking or tilting its head could have a number of possible health issues, such as an infection, a nutritional deficiency, a neurologic disease, or a metabolic disease. Your cat may be fine if it's shaking or tilting its head, but you should take it to the vet if you're also seeing symptoms like irritation or redness in its ears, falling or rolling to one side, vomiting, and loss of appetite since this could mean that your cat has a medical condition that needs attention. Fasciculation is the medical term for involuntary muscle spasms. Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome Symptoms and Treatment | Daily Paws Why is My Cat Gulping When Swallowing? - Senior Cat Wellness WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Epilepsy, seizures of unknown origin that happen with some frequency, occurs in 1 in 3 cats diagnosed with seizuresand typically begins between the ages of 1 and 4 years old. If no cause is known, seizures are often treated with lifelong anti-seizure medications. You might see your cat limping or dragging a limb, especially in the hindquarters, or she might falter and lose her balance frequently. Bacteria. Why is My Cat Shaking His Head? - newportharborvets.com Also called fasciculation, twitching is the minor contraction of muscles, in cats, it commonly occurs in the whiskers, nose and tail, but it can happen in any location. Symptoms that may be seen include: Loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, vomiting water, playing with water, hunched over water bowl, liplicking, teeth grinding, yawning, eating grass, itching, twitching, howling, hoarseness. Rarely, certain cells in a cats brain will prematurely degenerate (breakdown) and stop functioning. These may include: If these tests do not demonstrate anything, more advanced testing may be recommended including: Cats may bob their head for a variety of reasons, and some can be serious issues that need veterinary intervention. By paying close attention to additional symptoms, your vet can start your cat on a treatment or management plan to address the cause of the head bobbing behavior. In certain cases, it can be difficult to distinguish the symptoms of cat seizure from other behavioural causes.