CATS

Head trauma in the cat: the main clinical warning signs

Head trauma in cats can be caused by a wide range of events, from colliding with a car to falling from a height, and can have long-term traumatic consequences on the cat's health and quality of life.

From abnormal behaviour to difficulty walking or standing, from tilting the head to vomiting or convulsions, there are many signs that could indicate head trauma in cats.

In this photogallery we have listed the most common symptoms of head trauma in cats with the aim of providing a complete overview so that you can correctly identify them and act accordingly to ensure the well-being of your cat. (source: cats.com)

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Head trauma in the cat: the main clinical warning signs
Head trauma in cats can be caused by a wide range of events, from a collision with a car to a fall from a height, and can have long-term traumatic consequences on a cat's health and quality of life. In this photogallery we have listed the most common symptoms of head trauma in cats with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview to enable you to identify them correctly and act accordingly to ensure the well-being of your cat. (source: cats.com)
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Abnormal behavior
If the cat appears dazed, disoriented and not fully conscious, it may be a sign that it has suffered a head injury; the abnormal behaviour may be accompanied by loud meowing or hissing.
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Difficulty walking or standing
If when observing your cat you notice difficulty in keeping its balance, standing and walking, it could be a warning sign that something is wrong. If your cat starts to stumble and fall, it is very likely that the cause is a head injury.
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Pupil size
If a cat's pupils are small (compared to the usual size) it could be a consequence of head trauma. Even more worrying are very dilated pupils after a head injury, which could be a sign of brain trauma.
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Tilt your head
If after a head injury the cat tends to tilt its head, this is not a good sign: it could indicate a potential brain injury. It may be accompanied by abnormal eye movement.
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Convulsions
Convulsions occurring after a head injury indicate brain damage. In severe cases, convulsions are sometimes accompanied by excessive salivation, loss of consciousness and bodily functions.
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Vomiting
Vomiting in cats can have many different causes, but in the case of head trauma it is worrying and is a sign that you should take your kitten to the vet immediately.
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Loss of consciousness
Loss of consciousness is one of the potentially most serious and worrying signs after a head injury, especially if the pupils are very large: in this situation, a serious brain injury may have occurred.
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