Cat people question:

[thistlechaser]

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I've Googled, but couldn't find any useful info:

My cat is rather old and did have cancer (it was an aggressive and fast spreading kind, but it's thought to be gone now), but she's been fine for the last couple years. A few months ago, I noticed her forelimbs occasionally trembled. She didn't seem distressed or even like she noticed it. Over the weekend she was sleeping against my arm and suddenly sat up. I noticed her whole face, head, "shoulders", chest, and forelegs were trembling. It must have gone on about 40 seconds or so, and this time she noticed it. (She had no trouble breathing and didn't look distressed.)

She's eating fine and using the litterbox normally. She may or may not be drinking more than usual (sort of hard to judge). She's as active as she ever was (which is about as active as a lump of clay).

Do old cats just tremble sometimes? Do they get Parkenson's? I couldn't find any information on strokes and cats (since CAT scans are used when someone has a stroke, it gave me too many human-information result pages).

Comments

[animarelic.livejournal.com]

True strokes are rare in cats. Either kitty-strokes are milder than in humans because of differences in the brain structure and function, or cats simply recover faster and more completely than humans. Following a stroke, your cat may be temporarily blind (permanent blindness is less common) or partly paralyzed and may lose control of his bladder or bowel. Most vets advise a "wait and see" approach. Once the initial effects have worn off, many cats recover fully with little more than a head tilt, minor tremor or slightly wobbly gait as a reminder.

For further information, try running a google on 'Feline Strokes' ^_^

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Luckily that doesn't sound like it fits her. Hmmmm.

[janellejouza.livejournal.com]

Sitting up and shaking? If they are temporary episodes, could they possibly be small seizures? I haven't seen, so I can only offer another idea.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Hm, could be? I guess? I think I'll take her to the vet, maybe she'll find something (or send me home and tell me to stop worrying so much!).

[malecrit.livejournal.com]

One of my cats is only about a year old, and probably for most of the time I've had him he's had a front leg that will occasionally tremble when he's sitting. It's really obvious to me, but he never seems to notice it. I haven't been able to figure out why it happens and it apparently doesn't affect him at all. I can't recall him doing anything like what you've described, though... Okay, I meant to say something helpful, and that isn't at all! I do hope your cat is all right, though, and you're able to figure out what it is.

[lunarennui.livejournal.com]

well, it's not uncommon for older cats to get tremors due to muscle fatigue, since so many of them end up with arthritis...

if it were a stroke, you'd likely be able to tell by hemorrhaging in the eyes and different-sized pupils. but strokes are uncommon in cats, and rarely actually affect their life.

this doesn't sound like either though...if it appears not to be upsetting her or increasing in frequency/severity, i'd say make notes and bring it up at her next senior wellness check. if it DOES appear to be doing any of the following, take her in now.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info! She's going in on Friday (since she's due for the senior wellness check then), so I'll let the vet know.

Thanks!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Huh! Interesting to know that the leg-trembling thing happens to other cats. She's going to the vet on Friday, so if she finds anything I'll make another post.

Thanks!