Why is my cat fainting?

Fainting in cats can be a symptom of various pathologies, whether they are less or more serious. Although resuscitation is not required, a visit to the veterinarian is mandatory, as we must find the underlying cause that causes fainting.

Syncope in cats

What we colloquially describe as fainting, in medical terms is called syncope. It consists of a momentary loss of consciousness, so that the individual, in this case the cat, falls to the ground without being able to avoid it and without being aware of it. It can have a variable duration.

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But how does syncope occur in cats? It is mainly due to a lack of oxygen supply to the brain, which can be caused by decreased blood flow, decreased blood pressure, partial pressure of arterial oxygen or decreased hemoglobin concentration. It may be accompanied by drooling and urination on some occasions, although it should be noted that it is not the most frequent.

In general, the cat recovers after a few seconds, since the episodes are short and sudden. When he wakes up, he is likely to be bewildered and nervous, as well as shaky. This disorientation should go away in no time.

 

Causes of syncope in cats

There are several causes that can cause syncope or fainting in the cat, which can only be confirmed by diagnostic tests. As we have mentioned, syncope is a syndrome, not a disease, so below we will show you the pathologies that commonly cause it:

• Heart disease – It is the most common cause that explains why a cat faints. Heart disease occurs when blood is not pumped properly through the body. Cough, whitish gums, tachycardia and pulmonary edema are among the symptoms of heart disease. Fainting also stands out.
• Feline Leukemia – Leukemia is a disease caused by a virus. It is quickly transmitted between felines and the affected cat will require treatment and care for life. Symptoms of this disease include fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. All this can cause weakness and even syncope.
• Medication intake: all drugs are likely to cause side effects, but these only manifest in some patients. If your cat is receiving any treatment and faints, inform your veterinarian immediately, as the syncope may be due to the effect of the drug or the interaction between different drugs.
• Pneumonia – Pneumonia is a lung disease that has a variety of causes, including feline calicivirus, obstruction of the airways from obstruction, and sudden changes in temperature. Symptoms include shortness of breath, lethargy, and difficulty swallowing. All this can cause fainting if the cat runs out of air, even for a short time.
• Anemia : A cat suffers from anemia when its blood has a number of red blood cells below normal parameters. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood, so this decrease has various consequences. Among them it is possible to mention the decrease in appetite and fatigue, which causes fainting when the cat is very weak.
• Poisoning : the intake of toxic substances can also cause fainting in the cat, as occurs in cases of poisoning and intoxication. Poisoning occurs when the cat mistakenly ingests dangerous substances, such as cleaning products, medicines for humans, animals or toxic plants and insecticides, among others. Symptoms include excessive salivation, dilated pupils, tachycardia, sneezing, diarrhea, and vomiting. If it happens that your cat vomits and then passes out, or vice versa, it is possible that the cause is poisoning or intoxication.

The veterinarian is the only professional figure qualified to confirm a diagnosis, as well as to prescribe an effective treatment. If you suspect that your cat suffers from any of the aforementioned diseases, visit the specialist as soon as possible, in this way your cat will have a better prognosis.

What to do if your cat faints?

Watching your cat pass out can be very unsettling, so your first reaction will most likely be to get nervous. However, this is the time when your cat needs you the most, so make an effort to remain calm.

Place the cat on a flat surface and support its body from the torso to the hind legs to elevate it a little so that the head is lower. Perform this operation very carefully, you will help the blood to reach the brain. After this, cover the cat with a blanket so that it does not lose body heat.

You'll need to watch for any reaction that occurs while he's unconscious, whether it's tremors, involuntary urination, drooling, or vomiting. If you notice that he vomits, place his head with his snout down so that he can expel it. If you don't, he could drown and die.

Wait for him to regain consciousness, a few minutes. Upon awakening he will be nervous and clumsy. He tries to calm her down by cuddling and talking to her in a calm voice. When he notices that he is more relaxed, it is time to go to the vet. It is best to go the same day that the episode of syncope occurs to determine the cause quickly.