Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat having fast seizures shown by EEG brain test
By Brewińska, Laura et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2025·Department of Internal Diseases with a Clinic for Horses·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Case Report: Generalized motor tonic seizures characterized by paroxysmal fast activity on EEG in a Tonkinese cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old Tonkinese cat was brought in for seizures, which were identified as generalized tonic seizures. Despite standard anti-seizure medications, the cat's condition was classified as drug-resistant epilepsy, meaning the usual treatments weren't effective. The veterinarian used an EEG to better understand the seizures and found specific brain activity patterns. As a result, they tried a non-standard treatment with phenytoin, which showed promise in managing the cat's seizures.
People also search for: cat seizures treatment · Tonkinese epilepsy management · phenytoin for cats · why is my cat having seizures
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in cats, affecting 1%-2% of the feline population. Feline epilepsy can often be managed with standard anti-seizure medications, which typically offer moderate to good seizure control. However, a small subset of cats may experience drug-resistant epilepsy and require alternative treatment options. The scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying feline epilepsy has not yet reached the applicability seen in human studies. A deeper understanding of feline epilepsy will aid in developing effective treatment strategies. Electroencephalography (EEG) is an important tool for extending veterinary epilepsy classification. In the presented case, the disease was classified as idiopathic epilepsy with a Tier III confidence level according to the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force classification. The seizures were further characterized as primarily generalized tonic, with occasional focal seizures also observed, and the condition met the criteria for drug-resistant epilepsy. EEG findings revealed typical spike, sharp and slow wave, and polyspike activity, along with atypical paroxysmal fast activity. Non-standard treatment with phenytoin demonstrated potential efficacy in this case.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41036538/