

Excite the cat to attempt in causing a cataplectic episode, which you may observe.Ask that you make video recordings of the episodes.Ask that you keep a journal of the time you observe the episodes happening to identify the possible triggers.Perform an MRI and some other scans on the brain to rule out neurological injuries or disorders or even tumors.In the event that the pet owner recognizes the symptoms above and makes an appointment, the vet may likely do the following things to help the owner in making an accurate prognosis: Extreme tiredness that may be hard to notice in cats.Falling into a deep sleep while it is standing, eating, walking, or sitting.Collapsing so suddenly due to excitement.Inability to move immediately or during times of excitement.Narcolepsy may be much more difficult to diagnose in cats, rather than in some other animals due to the natural tendency of cats to sleep from 13 to 18 hours every 24 hours.įurther, the pet owner will need to repeatedly observe the symptoms listed next to cause enough concern to make a vet appointment: Most of the knowledge with regards to these conditions come from the studies that are done in human and in large animals. These are so rare in cats, where the vet research community hasn’t devoted so many resources to studying the illness in cats or compare it to other animal conditions. Researchers think that the low level of cells is possibly due to an immune deficiency.īecause it’s so rare, narcolepsy and cataplexy in cats may be due to a traumatic injury in the brain.

Moreover, in humans, cataplexy may seem to be due to a low number of brain cells, which produce hypocretin. The said neurotransmitter is what promotes the wakefulness of the cat. In humans, different studies have found a link between the low levels of hypocretin neurotransmitters and narcolepsy. The causes of narcolepsy and cataplexy aren’t known definitively.Īlso, the conditions unusually seem to run hereditarily most of the cases seem to be relatively sporadic, happening with no known history of the brain condition. The episodes frequently occur immediately after or during moments of great excitement. This is different than narcolepsy, nonetheless, since, during a cataplectic incidence, the feline stays fully conscious, yet is not able to move. This may cause the narcoleptic to experience morning tiredness and some episodes of abruptly falling into a deep sleep, frequently at inopportune times.Ĭataplexy is the same brain disorder, which may cause a loss of control in the muscle and commonly results in collapsing. This may result from the inability of the brain to normally, as well as sufficiently control the wake-sleep cycle of the brain. Moreover, narcolepsy is a chronic brain condition, which is present in different kinds of animals, even humans. The conditions aren’t commonly life-threatening or awfully worrisome and may be cured with medication once diagnosed by the vet.

They may still look around, whine or meow, and be otherwise fully conscious. This may cause the cat to fall to the ground and can be, as you can imagine, very dangerous to the health and wellbeing of the cat.Ī cat that experiences a cataplectic episode, on the other hand, may excitedly run around and suddenly collapse, not able to move. Narcolepsy and cataplexy are unusual conditions in cats yet there are many reported cases.Ī cat that has narcolepsy might suddenly fall into a deep sleep while it is standing, eating, or sitting, causing the cat to fall over or sway.Īdditionally, a cat that’s narcoleptic may also fall asleep while it is climbing.
