Cerebellar hypoplasia is a defect in the brain
of young kittens that results in a loss of fine-motor coordination.
Affected kittens have trouble walking and maintaining their balance.
It is caused by infection of the kittens with feline distemper virus shortly
after birth or infection while the kittens are still in the mother’s uterus.
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There is no known cure for cerebellar
hypoplasia.
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Epilepsy
General Information:
Epilepsy is relatively common in dogs, but
much less common in cats. Nerve cells in the brain function by transmission
of electrical impulses. Epilepsy is a sudden, excessive discharge
of electrical energy in groups of brain cells, causing a seizure or convulsion.
Why this spontaneous discharge occurs is not known, but in many cases the
condition is hereditary in dogs.
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Epilepsy usually becomes apparent between
6 months and 5 years of age. Nearly all breeds, including mixed breeds,
have affected.
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Seizures seldom last more than 5 minutes,
but to the unprepared observer, they are extremely alarming and seem to
last much longer. Handling the mouth of an animal should be avoided
because you may be accidentally bitten. Most seizures occur in three
distinct phases. The first phase, which generally lasts less than
1 minute, is called the aura and is the period before a seizure during
which the affected animal seems overly anxious. It may scramble from
behind a piece of furniture or jump down from a chair with its eyes widely
dilated. The second phase is the actual seizure. Each attack
may be different and can range from a mild muscle spasm to a severe convulsion
with defecation and urination and loss of consciousness. The third
phase occurs immediately after the seizure and is characterized by confusion,
weakness, and rapid breathing. The severity of this phase depends
on the severity of the convulsion.
Temporary blindness and total exhaustion
may follow a severe episode.
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Status epilepticus is a constant seizure
state. Each seizure seems to stimulate another, resulting in one
seizure immediately following another. Since this condition can be
fatal, call the veterinarian immediately! Status epilepticus is a
medical emergency!
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Medication for epilepsy is not given to
cure but rather to control the disease. Sucessful therapy is measured
by the ability to decrease the frequency, duration, and severity of individual
seizures.
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Treatment of epilepsy is usually not begun
unless multiple seizures occur and until a pattern is observed and other
causes of seizures are ruled out. Many epileptic dogs become worse
if seizures are not treated. Determination of proper dosage may take
weeks or months in order to find the minimum amount to prevent all seizures,
and frequently more than one medication is necessary. Because of
the delicate balance of the dosage, missing treatments may cause a seizure.
Even a well-controlled case may have an occasional mild seizure.
Do not become discouraged if a seizure occurs. Call your veterinarian
to discuss changes in dosage or medication. Medication is often required
for the remainder of the pet’s life.
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Notify your veterinarian if any
of the following occur:
Your pet’s seizures recur.
There is a change in your pet’s behavior,
attitude, or general health.
