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Possible emergency - paralytic episode

Sheldon13

Sheldon13

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Literally about 4 minutes ago Ellie suddenly started yowling loudly, which she only does when she’s upset. Then I noticed she was unsteady trying to get on the couch via her stairs. I caught her as she was falling. I carried her to the bedroom and laid her down, where she still is. At first she couldn’t even use her neck. Now she at least has her head up but has not moved any legs yet. What is this?


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Sheldon13

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Ok she just got up and walked to her nest on my bed and didn’t seem to have trouble. When she left I noticed she lost control of her bladder. Looks like she peed the entire contents onto my bed. Bless her soul. All in all I’d say the episode lasted about 7 minutes. I would suspect seizure, but if it was it certainly didn’t present like any seizure I’ve ever seen.


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NinaGato

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I'm so sorry to read this. Big hugs. I would suspect seizure or small cardiac event. Did you notice any rapid eye movement during the event? I know it it hard to look for these things in he moment.
 
Sheldon13

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No, she just seemed to lose control of her muscles. Like she was drunk. She was still able to vocalize.

I just noticed her grass has mold in it. I’m wondering if that could have caused it. :/


Love and Sphynx ~ It’s all you need
 
Beckinboots

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Oh, poor Ellie and poor you. Rankle had very similar symptoms about a year ago - I was out but my husband called to tell me to get home now. By the time I got back he was absolutely fine and you'd never have known anything had happened. We got him to the vet the next day and they ran tests but couldn't find anything wrong with him. He's never had a repeat episode. I hope it's something equally innoccuous for Ellie - I'd get her to the vet for a check up just in case.

Sending lair prayers and hugs to both of you.
 
NinaGato

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Don't blame yourself. Danser used to have seizures similar to what you are describing. Be calm and stay with her. Time how long it takes for her to come to completely.
Big hugs. Keep us updated.
 
Sheldon13

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Ok so in doing research it is almost certainly the wheatgrass mold, or white mold, that caused this. Symptoms of exposure to the mycotoxins and mold include ataxia (incoordination), vertigo and tremors. Exactly described is what she had.

NEVER LET YOUR CATS ACCESS MOLDY GRASS!!!


Love and Sphynx ~ It’s all you need
 
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Beckinboots

Beckinboots

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Sheldon13 said:
Ok so I’m doing research it is almost certainly the wheatgrass mold, or white mold, that caused this. Symptoms of exposure to the mycotoxins and mild include ataxia (incoordination), vertigo and tremors. Exactly described is what she had.

NEVER LET YOUR CATS ACCESS MOLDY GRASS!!!


Love and Sphynx ~ It’s all you need
Click to expand...
At least you know what caused it. That must be a relief xx
 
Catzzzmeow

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OMG how scary. I agree definitely log down how long and anything you can recall. Hopefully the mold was the culprit. Lair Prayers are sent. I am sure it freaked you out. You might call her vet to run it by them as well.


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Yoda mom

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@Sheldon13 how scary for you and Ms. Ellie. (((hugs))))
glad you are following up with the vet to see if the mold grass was the culprit.
I do have to share , not to alarm, but be aware of and ask your vet if it could have been a clot?

My Yoda girl had several episodes over two years. the first was a gutteral howl ...bone chilling, temporary paralysis, stretching her neck, and her rear legs felt cold, she peed all over herself. I rushed her to the vet up the block. by the time we got there she was totally back to normal, the vet confirmed it was a episode of F.A.T.E embolism. aspirin is usually contraindicated for cats as you know as a nurse.
but I had nothing to lose because embolism episodes are usually life or death. The vet gave me a very strict baby aspirin therapy to administer if she started to have another episode.

Yoda girl had another clot in about a month. this time howl but not as gutteral. right before she collapsed i noticed she shook her rear leg like it had cat litter stuck in her paw. then same symptoms. lasted about 5 minutes, then she got up ate and played. I continued the aspirin therapy each episode confirmed clots by my vet. no tests becz clot passed by the time we got to the vet each time. each future episode I could tell when it was coming on. the episodes lasted longer each time. I would treat her for shock and rush her to the vet time and again and she was back to normal before we got there.

so something just to be aware and ask the vet to rule out based on her signs/symptoms.
The tell tale sign for me was gutteral howl, loss of bowels, and cold extremities all began with shake of the leg and slow lethargic, unsteady, movement not her usual self in the morning. what was weird, they all happened between 7 am and 11 am.,

just wanted to share to ask your vet about. hopeful it was the lesser of evils and it was the mold on the grass.
you being a nurse is definitely a plus and researching the mold grass.

following closely for updates .
hugs and head smooches

how is she tonight?
 
Sheldon13

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Yeah what I read is mold on the grass usually happens from over watering. I definitely do that.

She’s pretty good tonight. No further symptoms. She’s been up a couple of times and eaten dinner. Didn’t much feel like playing with her puzzles though.

I think all the noise she made was because she was scared. I’m just glad I was here to catch her and comfort her.

FATE did cross my mind actually @Yoda mom as the other possibility. I will definitely bring it up tomorrow.


Love and Sphynx ~ It’s all you need
 
Bailey21

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Thank goodness she seems to be ok now! Reading the title this morning made my stomach drop with worry. Following for updates after the vet.

Did the grass itself have mold? Or in the roots? I've seen at times when I'm throwing out old grass that the roots definitely had mold on them.
 
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