Mice and rats communicate in the ultrasonic frequency range, and it is thought that cats have evolved the ability to hear these acute squeals better hunt their prey. Now, a new study suggests that sensitivity to higher frequency sounds can cause seizures in some older cats. After receiving reports of the problem, dubbed the "syndrome of Tom and Jerry" because of the way the cartoon cat is often surprised by the sounds, the researchers surveyed cat owners and reviewed the medical records of their pets, looking for an overview of the types and times of crises and sounds that provoked them. in 96 cats, they found evidence of the syndrome they call cats audiogenic reflex seizures. the most common types crumpling of triggering input sounds included tinfoil, rattling a metal spoon on a ceramic feeding bowl, and tinkling glass. the severity of the seizure ranged from brief twitching to more severe episodes where the cat has lost consciousness and stiff and jerky for several minutes, the researchers report online today in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery both pedigree and nonpedigree cats were susceptible, even if race was common. Thirty of 96 cats were Burmese (photo). Because seizures coincided with old age, the average age of onset was 15 years, veterinarians might miss the mess while dealing with other feline health problems, researchers say. Minimize exposure to problematic sounds, preliminary clinical trials with levetiracetam-a drug anticonvulsant used to control epilepsy in a small sample of the cats seemed to help limit the occurrence of crises.
"Tom and Jerry syndrome causes seizures in older cats
"Tom and Jerry syndrome causes seizures in older cats -
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