Cat behavior is often a mystery to pet parents. Notoriously independent, felines often do things that don’t seem to make sense but aren’t necessarily a cause for concern. However, if you discover that your cat passed out, it’s important to seek emergency vet care to determine why and get treatment to ensure their well-being.
If you need help from a DeSoto vet clinic, turn to Penny Paws Animal Clinic for compassionate, expert care for all your four-legged friends.
Why Cats Faint
When your cat faints, they temporarily lose consciousness and fall to the ground. They may appear to be asleep and continue to breathe and have a heartbeat, but the episode is usually very short-lived. In fact, most cats recover very quickly on their own.
Some cats faint without losing consciousness or collapsing. Confusion, a blank or glassy-eyed stare, and a sudden loss of reflexes or lack of movement can also indicate fainting.
But why does this happen? Whether or not they lost consciousness, when your cat passed out it was because of syncope, or a temporary loss of oxygen to the brain. Cardiac syncope occurs when your pet has a heart issue that affects blood flow; cat breathing problems and neurological issues can also cause low oxygen levels.
Some of the most common health conditions and reasons your cat passed out could be:
- Lung dysfunction due to a virus or fluid build-up preventing oxygen circulation
- Cat heart issues, including heart defects that affect circulation
- Low blood sugar due to diabetes or poor diet
- Hip dysplasia that affects feline mobility
- Degenerative spinal cord conditions that affect the ability of the brain to control limbs
- Poisoning from a human medication, cleaning product, or pesticide
Ultimately, because syncope is a symptom of an underlying issue, it’s important to see the veterinarian as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment.
Is Your Cat Fainting?
Suddenly losing consciousness and collapsing are the most obvious signs of syncope, but there may be other warnings that your kitty is unwell. Some of the most common indications of cat breathing problems or heart issues include:
- Unusual falls
- Sudden and unexpected sitting or lying down
- Unresponsive to sounds or touch
- Weakness in the hind legs
- Unwillingness to move
- Slow or nonexistent reflexes
Sometimes, cats are just tired and seem more lethargic than usual, but they recover after some rest. If your pet seems to be more tired or weaker, a visit with the doctor is in order. Other medical issues, like low blood glucose or musculoskeletal conditions, can cause fainting-like symptoms and require treatment.
It’s also worth noting that fainting is vastly different from a cat seizure. Seizures will cause sudden, involuntary, and uncontrollable muscle activity, including convulsions, shaking, twitching, and spasms that last from a few seconds to several minutes. These episodes can occur for a variety of reasons, including epilepsy or poisoning, and require emergency vet care.
Get Your Cat Help Right Away If They Faint
A fainting cat is undoubtedly a cause for concern, but don’t panic. Most cats will recover within a few minutes on their own. Stay with the animal and check to make sure they’re still breathing and check for a pulse by placing two fingers on their neck or leg near the groin.
Once you confirm that your cat is still breathing and has a heartbeat, call your veterinarian and explain the situation. The doctor will provide further instructions on how to keep your pet comfortable and safe while you bring them in for an examination.
While transporting your cat to the vet, hold them in your lap while someone else drives, taking care to support their head. If you can’t do that, gently lay the animal in their carrier and put them in the back seat. Drive slowly, taking turns carefully to avoid too much motion.
Above all, remain calm, and do your best to soothe your pet when it regains consciousness. Animals pick up on our emotions, and even though you’re likely to be worried after your cat passed out, do your best to help them recover with gentle petting and talking in a quiet and gentle voice.
Diagnosing and Treating Your Cat’s Condition
When you arrive at the animal hospital, the doctor will conduct a series of tests to reach a diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan. Expect to answer questions about your cat’s behavior and symptoms before they fainted, as well as any other medical issues in their past.
In addition to reviewing the cat’s medical history, the vet will physically examine them for signs of an injury or other physical reason for their symptoms, perform blood tests, and take imaging tests to look for issues within the musculoskeletal system, organs, or brain.
In some cases, the vet may ask you to keep a Holter monitor on your pet for 24 to 48 hours to record their heart rate. This data can reveal heart rhythm irregularities that contribute to the fainting episodes.
Depending on the results of the testing, ongoing cat care may include:
- Medication to treat their illness (for example, diabetes medication for low blood sugar)
- Antibiotics to treat an infection
- Steroids to reduce swelling that impedes circulation to the brain
- Inducing vomiting to help eliminate toxins from the system
- Lifestyle changes, such as dietary restrictions to maintain blood sugar
- Surgery to correct hip dysplasia
Get Immediate Help for Your Sick Cat
Many cats with conditions that cause fainting can live long lives if they receive the right care and treatment. Just because your cat passed out doesn’t mean you need to say goodbye or seek end-of-life care. Knowing that your pet has special needs and following the doctor’s instructions will protect their quality of life and ensure you enjoy their snuggles for years to come.
When your family’s furry friends need care in DeSoto, TX, Penny Paws Animal Clinic is here to help. Call us for an appointment at (469) 807-3030 or schedule a visit online. We also accept walk-ins for emergencies. Let us help take care of your pet.