“Audiogenic Reflex Seizures in Cats”, 2015-04-27 (; backlinks; similar):
Objectives: This study aimed to characterise feline audiogenic reflex seizures (FARS).
Method: An online questionnaire was developed to capture information from owners with cats suffering from FARS. This was collated with the medical records from the primary veterinarian. 96 cats were included.
Results: Myoclonic seizures were one of the cardinal signs of this syndrome (90⁄96), frequently occurring prior to generalised tonic-clonic seizures (GTCSs) in this population. Other features include a late onset (median 15 years) and absence seizures (6⁄96), with most seizures triggered by high-frequency sounds amid occasional spontaneous seizures (up to 20%). Half the population (48⁄96) had hearing impairment or were deaf. One-third of cats (35⁄96) had concurrent diseases, most likely reflecting the age distribution. Birmans were strongly represented (30⁄96). Levetiracetam gave good seizure control. The course of the epilepsy was non-progressive in the majority (68⁄96), with an improvement over time in some (23⁄96). Only 33⁄96 and 11⁄90 owners, respectively, felt the GTCSs and myoclonic seizures affected their cat’s quality of life (QoL). Despite this, many owners (50⁄96) reported a slow decline in their cat’s health, becoming less responsive (43⁄50), not jumping (41⁄50), becoming uncoordinated or weak in the pelvic limbs (24⁄50) and exhibiting dramatic weight loss (39⁄50). These signs were exclusively reported in cats experiencing seizures for >2 years, with 42⁄50 owners stating these signs affected their cat’s QoL.
Conclusions & Relevance: In gathering data on audiogenic seizures in cats, we have identified a new epilepsy syndrome named FARS with a geriatric onset. Further studies are warranted to investigate potential genetic predispositions to this condition.