What does a cat tremor look like

For cats, the most common toxic cause of tremors is, and will be for the foreseeable furture, permethrin.

If you’re sure the cat you're treating has not had a permethrin-containing product applied to him – and if there are no dogs in the house who have had permethrin-containing spot-ons applied – you must dig deeper to determine if there is a toxic cause for the tremors.

Here are the 14 most common toxicologic causes of tremors in cats, in order of reported prevalence, from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center:

Permethrin
Avermectins (ivermectin, selamectin, moxidectin, etc)
Amphetamines (Illicit and ADHD medications)
Ziprasidone
Mirtazapine
Emodepside
Piperazine
Pregabalin
Diphenhydramine
DEET
Carbamazepine
Essential oils
Enrofloxacin
Methomyl

Grab our print-and-post list and keep it handy!

More Lifesaving Resources

Do you have a feline patient with permethrin toxicity? Read five tips for treating permethrin toxicosis in cats.

Do you know the most common toxicologic causes of seizures in dogs? Check them out and download the PDF.

Some toxins cause more worry than actual danger. Read more about them.

Tremors are rhythmic, to and fro involuntary movements that persist through the waking state. True tremors stop during sleep. There are a variety of causes of tremors, depending on which part of the body is affected.

Cerebellar abnormalities (coordination part of the brain)

Idiopathic (unknown cause)

Genetic causes

Inflammatory processes (encephalitis)

Trauma

Drugs

Vestibular diseases

Weakness or pain

Metabolic disease (kidney failure, low blood sugar)

Compressive lesions of the spine (tumors, narrowing of vertebra)

Neuromuscular diseases

Toxicities (organophosphate, mycotoxins)

Hypomyelination (diseases that decrease the covering of the nerves)

Degenerative neurologic diseases

Idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome (white shaker dog syndrome)

Abnormal, involuntary movement involving the head, limbs or whole body

A complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile, and urinalysis are recommended in all cases. It is important to rule out metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or kidney disease. Include a creatine kinase to assess for the possibility of muscle disease.

Screening chest and abdominal radiographs (X-rays) are most often within normal limits; however, they should be performed. Radiographs of the spine may be recommended in some cases.

A myelogram (study of the spine using dye) may be recommended to assess for the presence of tumors or disc disease.

A CT (computerized tomography) scan and/or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) will help detect structural changes of the brain and/or spine.

A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap may confirm encephalitis.

Electromyelography (EMG) will help in the diagnosis of associated neuromuscular disorders.

There are several things your veterinarian might recommend to symptomatically treat the patient with tremors.

Treat and address the primary or underlying disease if possible

Avoid excitement and exercise, as this may exacerbate tremors

More specific therapy may be indicated, as in the case of a patient who needs surgery for a disc protrusion

Avoid toxin exposure. If intoxication is a possibility, do not allow additional exposure, consult poison control and contact your veterinarian.

Animals with generalized tremors often lose weight. Monitor your pet’s weight and make appropriate changes in the diet.

Only administer drugs and medication as directed by your veterinarian.

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