We have an outdoor female cat which is just over 7 years old. She is feral but is fixed. We can pet/pick her up. She is pretty docile cat.

The other day I found her in the back yard panting laying flat on her side, drooling from the mouth, with her balance totally out of whack. She ran under the deck. She drank a little water, but didn't eat anything. By the next morning she had slowly worked her way into the yard, and by that evening was pretty much back to normal. Since then, she has been eating/drinking like normal.

First time this has ever happened. She was at the vet only one time, when we got her fixed (few months old).
I did some research about cat seizures/strokes, but wanted to lob this out with all the vets on the board.

Appreciate any thoughts/comments. TIA.

(Cross-posted in the General Forum)

https://texags.com/forums/12/topics/3488454

If she hasn't been vaccinated, there are several nasty diseases that could cause the symptoms you described. Any signs of a snake bite? Could have also gotten bit by something venomous.

Our cat did the same thing - keeled over and was slightly panting - then he was gone. I figured it was heart-related, as he was only 2.

I'd check for heart worms. It may be at a stage that it's too late (I'm not a Vet), but at least you'd know.

We didn't do a necropsy on my cat - he was already gone, so it didn't make sense in this instance.

Sucks to hear.


Keep it away from Haitians.

Thanks Everyone.

No signs of a snakebite. Initially thought she might have been attacked by a dog/hawk (have them in our neighborhood), but when I checked her out, no wounds/blood/swelling.

I'll make a note about heart worms too.

We'll probably take her to the vet, just didn't want to scare anymore right away. Ironically enough, her name is Spooky.

Have them screen for viruses as well, and possibly a heart condition, I'm sure your DVM will recommend other labs.

Keep us posted on the findings.

DVM

Toxicity? Have you applied anything for fleas?

My wife applied flea medicine for our 50# GSP to our cat once. She (the cat) totally spaced out with very similar symptoms for about two days.

Quick update.....Spooky is doing good. Back to normal, eating/drinking. We have not taken her to the vet for fear we scare her.

Funny thing, we went to the Florida game, and after we got back Sunday, she did brought us a "present", garter snake. Not the first time she's done that......

Is she on heartworm medication? If not, you may want to get her on it.