Looking for these 10 signs your cat may have had a stroke will let you know whether you should seek emergency care immediately.
Cat stroke symptoms are different from humans, so much so that for years it was assumed that cats did not suffer from strokes, according to petinfo.com
But unlike in humans, the symptoms do not intensify after 24 hours. Once the stroke happens, the damage is immediate.
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While Paws News for Cat Lovers has not had a cat that has had a stroke (that we know of), we have been impacted by the devastation of strokes in humans. Two significant others had a stroke, and we lived through the arduous rehabilitation process and dealt with their physical and personal changes.
Read more about cats having strokes.
If you think your cat has had a stroke, get emergency care immediately
Lethargy is one of the 10 signs your cat may have had a stroke.10 signs your cat has had a stroke
Ten signs your cat may have had a stroke include:
- Tilted head. If your cat tilts its head to one side, and has difficulties moving his head to the other side, it’s symptomatic of a stroke
- One dilated eye. One of the pupils of the cat’s eyes appears to be more dilated than the other.
- Loss of Balance. The cat loses balance quickly, falls or walks in circles
- Ataxia. The cat looses the ability to coordinate his muscles, stumbling from side to side and is unable to perform ordinary tasks like eating, walking, jumping, running.
- Confusion. The cat is not totally aware of his surroundings which is not characteristic of a healthy cat. The cat may get confused and be unable to find his way around familiar surroundings.
- Behavior Changes. The cat may seek more or less affection, be apathetic and lethargic, and be sleeping more than usual.
- Lack of Energy. the cat ignores activities that normally attracted the cat’s attention.
- Loss of appetite. The cat is not interested in food. This can be caused by the ensuring confusion or nausea and could persist up to a few days.
- Weight loss. Lack of appetite, nausea or even vomiting can cause the cat not to eat and thus lose weight.
- An altered state of mind. Depression, disorientation, uncontrollable circling, seizures, blindness, aggression, vocalization and/or other signs of altered state of mind which could be the sign of a stroke.
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my cat had a stroke she is around 13 years old I’m glad i was home when it happened, it started with her jumping around like a kitten as though something invisible was chasing her and then she fell to the floor her body (legs convulsing as a person that is having a seizure) i quickly ran to her and spoke with her and softly petted her for about 3 minutes, she relaxed and a few more minutes i tried to get her up, when i did this she went in a counter clock wise walk, over and over again, her neck was stuck in that direction, she also peed herself and drooled from her mouth, i quickly got some toilet paper and cleaned her and the floor up, i picked her off the floor and held her in my lap for ten minutes she was then moving her head and could look from side to side again i put her on the floor and she was able to walk in a straight line not stumbling, I came down stairs to use my internet and in 3 minutes she came down on her own so she remembers where i went after 45 minutes she is next to me right now on her pillow i have for her on the chair she always lays on when in downstairs, I am closely watching her for any changes.I am trying to get an appointment with a vet and will asap.
It’s very scarey when these things happen. Good to get to a vet as soon as possible.
Our cat is all of a sudden walking like she is very very drunk! Has she had a stroke or what?
She may have had a stroke, but I would check with your vet as it could be something else. This certainly is one of the signs of a stroke, but depending on kitty’s age, it could be something else. Schedule a check-up ASAP.
I’ve heard from vets that cats’ circulatory systems are such that strokes and heart issues are uncommon. There was one morning though where Kitty kept veering into the left wall. Because of what the vet told me, I rationalized it away. A few hours later, she was much better so I let it go. I’ve always wondered if that was the beginning of the end for her. As time went on, other symptoms cropped up – while the veering all but went away. I’m glad you wrote this because I think you are absolutely right … cats CAN have strokes and they DEFINITELY can have clots elsewhere in their bodies that will slowly kill them. I wish I’d gone with my instinct that day instead of listening to what a vet told me. She was almost 16 … so maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference … but the question will plague me for the rest of my life.
At 16, your cat very well could have had a stroke. From what you are saying, she was veering into the left wall, that sounds like one of the signs. While they react differently than humans to a stroke, they sure do have them. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent post! I hope to never need this information, but it is good to know. We sent you an email about winning our giveaway, I hope you got it.
That was 100% my take on it. He could have been a tiger or spotted, not black.
It’s a topic that needs attention. Just responded on the give-away. Very excited.