Convulsions - Paralysis - Megrims (Vertigo, or Meniere's Disease).

Convulsions

Both kittens and adult cats - more especially the former - are occasionally subject to fits or convulsions, which vary in their severity, and usually pass away within a short time of the onset, but recurrence is frequent. Irritation of the digestive organs, such as that resulting from the presence of worms, teething, etc., is a frequent cause of convulsions.

Treatment

Give a mild dose of castor oil, and follow up with a pill composed of 5 grains of bromide of ammonium, given two or three times per day. Feed on easily assimilated food. It is generally advisable to treat the little creature for worms (see Worms) before commencing with the bromide.

Paralysis

Fortunately for cats, paralytic symptoms are seldom seen in these animals, and when they do occur, such generally represent some form of external violence, as may happen when a cat has been roughly handled by a dog. It is quite possible that paralysis may originate from obstruction of the bowels, hence the reason why it is generally expedient to give a clyster along with a dose of purgative medicine. Any organ or portion of the body may exhibit loss of functional power, either of a temporary or permanent nature; for instance, a fractured limb is a paralytic one. As a rule it is either the hind or the fore quarter that is paralysed, or it may be the whole body.

The causation being of a variable nature, no definite line of treatment can be laid down, consequently it is best to have the advantage of professional treatment, if the cat is worth it, otherwise the animal had better be destroyed.

Megrims (Vertigo, Or Meniere's Disease)

Cats sometimes show symptoms of vertigo or dizziness, manifested by running round in circles, rushing about the room, and losing their equilibrium. Such erratic movements are frequently due to internal canker of the ear, causing symptoms allied to those of Meniere's Disease, in which the gait is staggering, together with sudden giddiness and a tendency to fall to one side. The ears should be carefully examined, and if due to canker, treated in accordance with the remedies under the heading of that disease. In other cases 5 grains of bromide of potash may be given in water twice or three times daily.