These attacks can appear to be severe, but they are not life threatening. Watching for small signs of an oncoming episode, and being prepared to gently bring your cat out of it can help the incident to pass quickly. Although you may not be able to prevent episodal attacks of narcolepsy or catalepsy, you may be able to reduce the frequency and duration of them. By finding these patterns, such as in particular activities, foods, or times of day, you may be able to predict with some surety when your cat will have an episode.

Your veterinarian will try to determine what is behind the episodes by mapping patterns in your cat's behavior before an episode takes place. A food-elicited cataplexy test may also be performed, since many animals with cataplexy have attacks while eating. If there is an activity that appears to consistently bring about episodes, your veterinarian will attempt to simulate the activity so that an episode can be observed first-hand. If it is possible to visually record a narcoleptic or cataplectic attack, it will help you and your veterinarian in finding a pattern to the episodes, if there is a pattern. You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health, the onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your cat, including a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, a urinalysis, and an electrolyte panel to rule out any underlying diseases. Some of the suspected causes that are still being studied are disorders of the immune system, and disorders of the nerves. Generally, narcolepsy and cataplexy are categorized as idiopathic, since there has been no connection to an underlying cause.

Episodes usually end when stimulated by petting, loud noises, etc.

Eye movement, muscular twitching, and whimpering during episodes.

Episodes last from several seconds up to 30 minutes.

Rapid onset of episodes, with no apparent warning of imminent collapse.

Some of the usual symptoms of narcolepsy and cataplexy are: The cat typically will come out of the episode in response to external stimuli, such as when it hears a loud sound or is petted.

During a cataplectic episode, the cat is aware and conscious of what is going on around it, its eyes remain open and under the cat's control, but it is otherwise paralyzed. Closed eye movement continues, as with the stage of REM sleep. It is just as if the cat has suddenly fallen into a deep sleep. During a narcoleptic episode, the affected cat will collapse onto its side or stomach, its muscles will slacken, and all physical movement briefly ceases. Cataplexy in particular is characterized by episodes that occur during moments of heightened emotion. Narcoleptic and cataplectic episodes can last from several seconds up to 30 minutes, and often will take place when the cat is eating, playing, excited, or is engaging in sexual activity. This is not a fatal disease, but it is one that requires attention and awareness. A physical exam will usually show normal physical and neurologic responses with no obvious abnormalities. Symptoms and TypesĪ cat that has either of these conditions will not always have any secondary or underlying conditions related to it. Individuals may be affected with one, or both of these disorders. Cataplexy is similar to narcolepsy in that the episodes are spontaneous, brief, and reversible. A cat that is affected by cataplexy will remain alert and capable of following movement with its eyes throughout the episode. Cataplexy is characterized by sudden muscle weakness and paralysis without loss of consciousness. The episodes are typically brief and go away by themselves. Narcolepsy is symptomized by excessive daytime sleepiness, lack of energy, and brief losses of consciousness. Narcolepsy and cataplexy, disorders that affect the way an animal is able to physically operate, are rare but well studied disorders of the nervous system.

Catalepsy vs cataplexy