Why do cats faint?

A collapse or temporary faint is produced when the body is deprived of an essential element, as the oxygen or the glucose. For example, if the oxygen supply to the brain is interrupted for a circulatory problem -as a cardiac failure-Or for the obstruction of a respiratory conduit, the corporal systems practically are blocked and the animal is dismayed. This way, it is easier to the heart to pump oxygen again directly to the brain, and the cat can recover between one and five minutes later. Until the reason is serious, the sequels will last a little time. There can be an alone collapse, but also they could reverting. The interval between these accidents could be between 2 and 3 months, though it is not strange that they take place with more frequency.

The briefness of the collapse can do difficultly to know which is the latent problem. A blood test can measure the level of glucose, but the result is not trustworthy until the sample was taking in the moment in which the cat was shocked. In the same way, a cardiac disease that provokes a shock occasionally can not detectable only auscultating the heart and the lungs with a stethoscope when the cat has recovered. If the accesses happen with many frequency it is possible that be necessary to hospitalize the cat, to be able to observe his reactions and his corporal functions in the moment of the collapse. Only then it will be possible do a trustworthy diagnosis to begin a treatment.

Q/A Our 3 year old Maine Raccoon Maine, Freddie, had nose secretion during a couple of days; then he started falling on the floor when he walk a span. He does not have pains and can eat, but also he has changed the meow. The veterinarian believes that he can be myasthenia . What does that mean?

It is a question of a neuromuscular disease that coincides with the symptoms that you describe to me. Normally it treats with steroids. It is probable that your veterinarian wants to do some blood test to establish the diagnosis and to prescribe the medication.

Approximately two years ago Manchín, my cat of 8 years, started having brief collapses. It give him approximately 4 times a year. The veterinarian could not have found anything abnormal and a recent analysis of blood was normal. I am very worried, Is there something more than I could do?

Yes. The collapses are too short that neither you nor nor the veterinarian can observe or testing to the cat while it happens to him, it is possible to be difficult to do a diagnosis, especially when the rest of the time the animal is normal. You might leave Manchin in the veterinary clinic, to see if you can observe and do analysis to him during one of them, But if they are so little frequent it does not look like a very practical idea. Why do you try to record with videocamera? This way your veterinarian will be able to see what happens when Manchin suffers them and to have an approximate idea of the reasons.