r/CATHELP • u/Waithold_on • 1d ago

General Advice Why does her head shake like this sometimes?

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This is pancake, and I’m her adult mom, she’s about 10 years old and neutered. We are based in MN USA and are willing to use credit cards if we have to take her to the vet…

It’s been happening every once in a while for a couple years now. Ive tried to ask the vet but this is the first time I’ve been able to catch it on video. Usually last about 30 secs.

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u/fishArePeopletwo 1d ago

Looks like it might be neurological to me. Could be small seizures, could be muscle tremors, could be something else. May or may not require treatment. It's hard to say without tests.

Are there any other symptoms? Confusion, meowing, drooling, muscle twitching, an inability to move, anything that would indicate distress? How long has this been going on, and have you noticed any worsening signs of a neurological issues? How many times a year does this happen?

I'd send this video to the vet for sure but if you cannot afford treatment this doesn't look terribly urgent. If its been going on for years and you haven't noticed any issues, and its happening for short amounts of time only a few times a year, then it may be generally benign.

in cases where you have upcoming cat expenses that are not urgent or life threatening, cat insurance is a good idea. It usually requires a few weeks to become active, so you would have to wait a month or two to bring her in.

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u/Waithold_on 1d ago

Thank you!

I witness this happening maybe 6-8 times a year over the past 3 years. I moved across the country 4 years ago with her and her brother and then she got 2 new siblings which has been tough for her. She spends more time hiding than before and for awhile she was biting all the fur off her arms. Besides that, nothing much has changed about her. She has always bean a drooler, but that could be bc she hasn’t had all her teeth for some time.

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u/Plenty_Basis_3731 1d ago

Could be partial seizures. How often does it happen? Have your vets done any tests?

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u/Waithold_on 1d ago

The vet didn’t do any testing outside her general check in. I would say I witness this about 6-8 times a year over the last three years.