Cat Seems To Go Into A Trance

Question
Hi!

Our 7 year old (7 pound) tortie (named Red) has an odd problem.  
Periodically, she appears to go into what can only be described as a trance-
like state.  It usually lasts for about 3-4 hours.  During this time, her pupils
get very dilated, and she appears to be somewhat blind.  Usually it is
preceeded by her eating and drinking a lot in the hour or so before it
happens - and also by a huge burst of energy (running around the house
wildly).  Suddenly, she appears to go into a sort of trance - bumping into
things, moving very very slowly ((because it seems to us she can't really see).  
This condition appears to lift just as strangely as it comes on - after about
3-4 hours she suddenly seems to return to her normal self.  This generally
doesn't happen but once every 3-6 months - but has been happening to her
since she was about a year and a half old.  We've had her into the vet's office
many times for full workups annually, and she's come back with a clean bill of
health each time (even after bringing video of her in that state to the vet - no
one seems to know what it is).

Any ideas what's going on?  We'd like to be able to help her if we can when
she's going thru it - and ideally, prevent them (or treat them) in the first place
so she doesn't have to go thru the episodes.

We'd be very grateful for any ideas!

Thank You!


Answer
Meagan,

I found a link to a website that has a forum where people discuss their pet problems and the one I read is on feline seizures! The people posting seem to have a similar problem as Red does. You may want to check it out. Cut and paste or type the whole link into your address bar:

http://www.paw-talk.net/forums/f10/feline-seizures-15608.html

I also read an article on hyperthyroidism. Here is an excerpt:

" Cats with hyperthyroidism. Typical clinical signs include unprovoked aggression towards other animals and/or people, sudden onset of seizure disorder in adulthood, disorientation, moodiness, erratic temperament, periods of hyperactivity, hypo attentiveness, depression, fearfulness and phobias, anxiety, submissiveness, passivity, compulsiveness, and irritability.  After episodes, most of the animals appeared to come out of a trance like state, and were unaware of their bizarre behaviour."

Has your vet checked for that? I am going to email Dr. Jean Dodds, who wrote the article, with Red's behavior and see what she thinks. I don't know if she will respond, but it's worth a try.

I am near the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine but they told me that the cat would have to be brought in. I don't know what location you are in though.

Email me (misscjacobi@yahoo.com) and let me know what you think. And give me your email address in case I run into a question about Red I can't answer.

Carol