Cat seizures: What mimics a brain tumor & responds to prednisolone?

Sorry to hear about Babygirl. Unfortunately, without advanced diagnostic imaging it will not be possible to tell you with certainly the cause of her seizure activity. An MRI would be the only way to accomplish this positively. Based on her age and no previous history of seizure activity, a brain tumor or tumor elsewhere in the central nervous system would be the most likely diagnosis. Much lower down on my list would be some sort of infectious or inflammatory process. Even lower would be extremely late onset epilepsy. Based on what you are telling me, it sounds like humane euthanasia is probably the best decision you can make for her. I know it's hard but I hope it gives you some solace knowing that you are bringing her to peace.

An MRI is the best way to see the brain to find out if there is an abnormality in structure or tumors that could be causing the seizure. If you are unable to pursue the MRI discuss this with your vet. Medication to treat/prevent seizures may be an option but will not cure the disease will only alleviate seizure symptoms. Good luck.

Hi, it could be a number of different things. Does her head move from side to side when she is moving ? Or does it occur also when she is still ? In order to be able to pin down a list of differential diagnosis, a full neurological exam should be performed. Quite often, further advanced imaging is necessary such an MRI or CT scan. In absence of other neurological signs it could be that the cause of this condition is to be found in the cerebellum. It could be a tumour but it could also be something else. Hope you can have further work up done, it your vet has not come across this before, then perhaps seeing someone who is specialised in neurological conditions is the bast way forward.

The concern is often more linked to a tumour of the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. The tumour can be benign or malignant and what it does it is stimulating the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. If the pituitary tumour grows, it can cause neurological signs and therefore seizures too. The masses can be quite large , over 1 cm , and cause symptoms related to pressure to the brain structures nearby. If the seizures are not very frequent, it means the tumour rate of growth is not that fast, and this is a good sign in itself. However an MRI would be able to provide more information and allow monitoring, if possible.

With seizures starting at that age an a change in behavior ibwiukd bravery concerned there is a disease affecting the brain that is causing the problems. If that is the case you are unlikely to notice any improvement and likely see things get worse and the seizures progress. There is medication you can try to stop the seizures.

Surgery is the preferred method for treating meningiomas, and is usually successful if the tumor is removed completely. Meningiomas in cats are firm, well-circumscribed masses that do not usually invade the neural parenchyma, and are easily delineated from normal brain tissue. The overall prognosis depends on the extent of the tumor, but a study found that surgical removal yielded survival rates of 71% at six months. The MRI is the next step, so I would have that done. That will help give you a better idea of his prognosis. I hope this helps.

The neurological exam should be able to determine if the disease is in the brain. Age (older pets with new neurological symptoms) and signalment can help prioritize differential diagnoses but ultimately imaging (MRI) is required to make a definitive diagnosis.