[monty_dweezil]

Heya

For a little while we're noticed, whenever Dweezil is resting (lying still, but not actually asleep. Eyes closed sometimes, other times open), whether it be on the coffee table, the post, the floor or the couch, he will start out fine once he's settled, but then he seems to shiver...except it's not exactly shivering. It's more a light jerking that seems to start from his legs and progress to his whole body, to the point that even his head/neck is jerking slightly every few seconds. He then shifts positions and settles again, and the shivering stops until it begins again once he's still. He doesn't seem to be in any pain and it doesn't even really seem to bother him except I'm not sure if the reason he shifts to slightly different positions fairly frequently is because the shivering is annoying to him.

At first we thought it may just be when he lies on the glass coffee table that when he breathes, he moves slightly on the slippery glass, but he also shivers when he's on the couch. I can feel the jerking against my leg or side.

It never happens when he's moving, or sitting up tall, or more alert/awake.

Has anyone experienced this before? I never have. We don't want to be silly and paranoid and worried about possible epilepsy or anything, but is it even remotely normal??

Thank you!

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[Winscar]

Never silly or paranoid at all.

Cats do dream and their little bodies twitch and you can see their whiskers twitching and they can make little noises.

Of course if your not sure a vet visit will always alleviate you anxiety.

[Jo1]

My cat twitches as well. His paws twitch and he slaps his lips as if he is eating. I think he is dreaming of catching birds!

[fleabag]

I think he is having kitty dreams, I've seen legs "running" and heard mews and wriggling. It's kinda cute.

[CatsRU]

He is dreaming of mice - mice pie mum please.

[karshe]

I have had cats do that often, mostly they are just dreaming..

I have also had a cat that had grand mal seizures. We tired for a year to get him stabilized on medication, unfortunately the vets couldn't do any more for him. Every 30-40 mins he would have a seizure and be incontinent and sleep for the next little while before he had another seizure. It was very sad to watch this lovely man, in the end the vet suggested we give him his wings. Sheryl

[Niccles]

Henry does that! He will finally noddle off to sleep, next thing you know a paw is twitching, legs are moving! Think he is having good dreams.

[Bethinx Ragdolls (Kaemma)]

had a cat that was epeleptic once - only figured out what was wrong ( she was also deaf and blind) when I mentioned to the vet she was having increasing episodes of chasing her tail and biting it that hard she would scream and kept doing it for several minutes and I wasn't game enough to go neat her.

He said it was a sign of epilepsy and most like was having grand mal seizures.

As others have said I think he is having very vigourous and active dreams

Liz

[vengeancethecat]

My cats twitch when they are dreaming. If he appears healthy in other ways he probably is okay, but maybe mention it to the vet the next time you are there just to be safe. If you notice other symptoms as well, it's probably best to take him into the vet just to be safe.

[monty_dweezil]

That's so sad about the epilepsy. I'm honestly not sure if he is just dreaming though. I'm very much aware of how cats look when they're dreaming. Twitchy whiskers, paws, mouths moving, even sometimes little vocal sounds. I also know their whole bodies can sort of jolt or twitch when dreaming, but this is more than this. They both do this when asleep, but Dweezil does not actually appear to be asleep when he's doing this shivering / jerking movements. They're also quite rhythmic. Sort of every 2 seconds or so. No movement of whiskers or mouth or paws and no actual twitching. It's more his whole body jerks all at once.

Maybe it is just dreaming or maybe he's falling asleep and keeps jolting awake. It actually reminds me of when I've in the past sometimes had this hyper adrenalin thing when I've been shivering/shaking/jerking out of control (happens sometimes with anasthetics apparently), and I can't stop, and my whole body is tense and jerking, as if I'm incredibly cold (beyond shivering), but I'm not. It reminds me of that.

He seems fine otherwise. They're due for their boosters in January, so unless something happens in the meantime, when we take them for that we'll mention it.

Thanks for the help everyone!

[Patricia L]

why not try to get a video of him doing it? either on your phone or on your camera of you don't have a proper video camera. That way the vet can see what is happening rather than just you describing it.

This post has been edited by Patricia L: 03 October 2009 - 11:56 AM

[monty_dweezil]

Oh my god, that is the BEST idea!!! I am doing it, definitely. I bet now that I've planned to do this, he'll stop shivering! lol. That's still be good though, as then I wouldn't have to worry.

Thanks, Patricia! My camera does have video mode and zoom and all that, so it should come out ok when filmed. Poor Dweezy. Can't even have a rest/relax in peace! *papparazzi*

This post has been edited by monty_dweezil: 03 October 2009 - 05:21 PM

[Avalon]

It sounds like dreaming my big fella does it and runs at breakneck pace in his dreams and even emits a little cry or meow. If you are concerned then please take your little fella to the vets. It freaked me out at first many many moons ago but seeing he is now 14+ and still does it well I would say yours is having a fantastic dream probably back to when a kitten or playing with other kitties
Hugs
Cherie

[monty_dweezil]

I hope so!

He hasn't been doing it lately so I've not been able to film him.

Will keep my eye on it, my beautiful boy!!

[mrm1725la]

Hi.

You stated that the cat is not actually sleeping; I think I would call your vet and see if a visit is necessary.
Hope it is nothing.

mrm1725la