Many cats are subject to fits, but they do not usually occur in healthy, well cared-for cats. I have not in years had a cat or a kitten have a fit in my cattery, no matter how much frightened they have become.

There are several kinds of fits which cats are subject to, the most common being those caused by worms; they may also arise from weak brain and heart trouble.

The remedy in the first case is dosing for worms, afterwards feeding the patient properly, which will alter the low state of health and condition. There is no cure for the heart and brain trouble except to improve the strength of your stock by taking in a strong out-cross and selecting the strongest specimens for breeding. Such troubles as weak brain and heart are caused usually by injudicious inbreeding with delicate stock; animals so afflicted should rightly speaking not be bred from at all, as both complaints are hereditary, and after raising cats from such parents, they are liable to die in a fit from the first shock they receive; this often happens when they are sent on a journey.

Treatment

At the first signs of a fit place the cat in a large, airy basket, in a cool, dark place, to prevent its running about and injuring itself; the moment it is quiet, remove from the basket and give plenty of air for recovery. If the cat has heart trouble it often succumbs to the first attack. If the patient shows any signs of continued excitability give a grain of bromide of potassium every hour, decreasing the doses as the cat becomes quieter.

If the cat should be a long time recovering and the top of the head feels excessively hot, place a piece of ice in flannel, or a rubber bag is better to prevent wetting the fur, on the head, until the cat recovers. Half an hour, or less, will usually drive the blood from the brain and the cat recovers.

When young kittens have fits it is usually caused by worms. Give one grain of bromide every two hours in a teaspoonful of sweetened milk, then when the kitten is seemingly well again, dose for worms. (See chapter on worms.)

Use the bromide of potassium every hour, decreasing the doses as the cat becomes quieter, perhaps after several doses.

Any cat or kitten afflicted with fits should not be allowed to become over-excited at play or allowed to run in the hot sun. If ice is not obtainable, use a cold water compress to the head.