#Signs of head trauma in horses how to#

Other red flags he mentions are anisocoria, or different-sized pupils, and “deficits in pupillary light reflexes,” which means pupils are not constricting and dilating normally in response to light and darkness. “Think of the eyes from the old cat clocks, the way they move-that’s classic nystagmus,” he says. One symptom of brain injury is nystagmus, or repetitive, uncontrolled eye movements. Oppenheimer adds that a cat’s eyes can also indicate that something’s not quite right. He adds that any behavior you might consider “abnormal” for your cat is also worth checking out. “Cats are notorious for their ability to hide illness and injury,” Smith explains, “thus a traumatic brain injury may not be apparent unless it is more severe.” Some obvious signs to look for, he explains, are loss of consciousness, unresponsiveness, seizures, trouble walking, or vomiting. But in cases where the owner doesn’t witness the event, how else can you tell if your cat might have a concussion? If you witness any kind of trauma involving your cat, of course, you’ll know to take her to the vet right away. Indoor cats have a reduced risk of concussion because they are more protected from traffic, extreme heights, and other dangers. The Humane Society of the United States strongly recommends keeping cats indoors, explaining that they live longer and healthier lives. So even if you don’t think your kitty hit his head in that fall, it’s probably a good idea to get him immediate medical attention.īecause the most frequent causes of head injury happen outdoors, this is a good reminder that an indoor cat is a safer cat. “Statistically, one study cited up to 42 percent of cats that presented for a trauma had some evidence of head injury on exam,” Smith explains. But veterinarians often find evidence of head injury when examining cats for these other issues. The symptoms of head trauma may not be as obvious as other injuries, like broken bones or bleeding.

“It is not breed specific and it can happen to domestic as well as feral cats,” Oppenheimer adds. Other more rare causes include forceful shaking as may occur in a dog attack, and even mistreatment or abuse by people. Causes of Concussions in CatsĬoncussions in cats can result from many scenarios, but according to our experts, the main factor is “blunt trauma.” Common causes of this include falling from height (e.g., a tree, a ledge, a roof…you name it), getting hit by a car, or running into something (or someone) at top speed. With the help of our experts, we’ll guide you through what you need to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for cat concussions. “Concussions are common due to the fact that they like to walk on ledges and climb trees.” “Cats can get concussions at any time,” he explains. Victor Oppenheimer, director of the Perla del Sur Animal Hospital in Ponce, Puerto Rico, agrees.

Ryan Smith, assistant professor of emergency and critical care at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. “Cats can get ‘concussion injuries,’” says Dr.

And when cats do get hurt, they need our help-even if they’re too proud to ask. In spite of cats’ seeming ability to come out of danger unscathed, they are still vulnerable to injury. Right? But as cat owners learn, this is not always the reality.

#Signs of head trauma in horses how to#

They are graceful, careful, and they know how to take care of themselves. We’ve all heard the sayings that cats have “nine lives” and they “always land on their feet.” These old adages reflect our perception of cats as incredibly resilient creatures.