Symptoms of Narcolepsy in Cats
Dog Breeds
Cats are famous for their long, and frequent, napping habits. While cat naps are normal for our domestic felines, some owners wonder whether their cats nap too much. “Narcolepsy” refers to excessive daytime sleepiness, lethargy or brief periods of collapse and unconsciousness that resolve spontaneously. It is a specific medical condition that involves much more than bouts of tiredness.
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Introduction
Cats are famous for their long, and frequent, napping habits. While cat naps are normal for our domestic felines, some owners wonder whether their cats nap too much. “Narcolepsy” refers to excessive daytime sleepiness, lethargy or brief periods of collapse and unconsciousness that resolve spontaneously. It is a specific medical condition that involves much more than bouts of tiredness.
Symptoms of Narcolepsy in Cats
Narcolepsy is thought to be an inherited condition that has been reported but is rare in domestic cats. Clinical signs usually develop between 4 and 24 weeks of age. The main sign of feline narcolepsy is suddenly falling into what appears to be a deep sleep during the daytime. The onset usually is rapid, and the episodes typically last from a few seconds to a few minutes, although they can last much longer. Signs are characterized by collapse into lateral (lying on the side) or sternal (lying on the stomach) recumbency. Owners may notice twitching of the muscles around the eyes and elsewhere. Narcoleptic episodes often occur during times of regular activity, such as eating, playing or other times of excitement. For example, a cat playing with a toy might suddenly fall to the ground in an apparent “deep sleep,” and then spontaneously awaken and begin playing again as if nothing unusual had happened.
Narcolepsy is also characterized by a condition called “cataplexy,” which involves brief episodes of muscle paralysis with complete loss of reflexes that spontaneously return. The cat may develop weakness in its legs, its facial muscles may slacken and droop and its neck muscles may tremble, with its head “falling down.” After a short period of time, the cat typically will act normally. Most affected cats can be aroused by loud noises, petting, calling or other external stimuli.
The frequency of narcoleptic symptoms depends upon the severity of the condition. Some cats experience only a few narcoleptic bouts each week or month, while others may experience dozens of narcoleptic episodes daily. Signs of narcolepsy can mimic signs of other more serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or epilepsy. If you notice any of these signs in your cat, make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Narcolepsy normally can be managed, and there are measures that cat owners can take to keep their narcoleptic friends comfortable and safe.
How often the symptoms of narcolepsy occur depends on the severity of the condition. Some cats experience a few narcoleptic bouts a week, and others may experience dozens of narcoleptic bouts a day. Symptoms of narcolepsy are also similar to symptoms of other serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or epilepsy. If you notice any of these symptoms occurring in your cat, make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Narcolepsy can sometimes be treated, and there are measures that a pet owner can take to keep their narcoleptic friend safe.
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