Treating Narcolepsy in Cats

Dog Breeds

If your cat has been diagnosed with narcolepsy, treatments may or may not be recommended based on the number of episodes that your cat is suffering from. Medical treatments are generally not advised unless the episodes are interfering with the cat’s quality of life.

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Introduction

“Narcolepsy” refers to sudden daytime sleepiness, lethargy or brief periods of collapse, paralysis and unconsciousness that resolve spontaneously (called “cataplexy”). It is a specific medical condition that involves much more than mere tiredness, and the disorder is still not well understood. Narcolepsy affects humans, cats, dogs, cattle and horses and is probably largely genetic. It is not normally life-threatening and is not painful. It is rare in companion cats.

Treating Feline Narcolepsy

While there is no cure for narcolepsy, the clinical signs normally can be minimized with medical treatment. Sometimes, the signs resolve without medical attention. Treatment is generally only necessary if the cat is experiencing frequent or severe cataplectic episodes that interfere with its quality of life. Thankfully, this is uncommon. Narcoleptic cats that cannot be regularly supervised (especially if they are allowed to roam freely outdoors) should be placed on management therapies. While the episodes themselves do not hurt the cat’s health, they can occur at inopportune times, such as in the middle of a street or while climbing a tree, potentially causing serious injury to the animal.

The current medical treatment protocol for animals with narcolepsy is administration of tricyclic antidepressants, which block cellular uptake of the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Stimulants are available to treat excessive sleepiness, as well. Of course, new medications are constantly being researched and developed. All medications can have unwanted side effects. If you and your veterinarian decide to place your narcoleptic cat on medication, make sure that you are fully informed about all possible risks and side effects so that you can make an informed decision regarding the treatment protocol.

It can be very upsetting for owners to see their cat collapse or go through a cataplectic episode. However, owners should be reassured that narcolepsy is not a life-threatening disorder, and that with management their cat should not suffer adverse effects from this condition.

Symptoms and Types