Scrolling through Facebook, you may have seen memes with a cat pressing their head against a wall, stating things like “how I feel about work on a Monday.” You may have chuckled at it, liked it, and shared it. But what you may not know is that the cat in the picture, pressing its head against the wall, is dealing with a serious illness. This is not a laughing matter. And every cat owner needs to know what this behavior means when cats perform it.
What exactly is head pressing?
Head pressing is a behavior cats exhibit by pushing their head against an inanimate object, such as a wall, a chair, or a corner. When they are doing this, cats are completely awake and conscious, not to be mistaken with a kitty sleeping with their head propped up against the wall. A cat that is head-pressing may even slide its head against the wall until it reaches a corner and locks its head in a specific place. If you see your cat exhibit this strange behavior, you need to contact a veterinarian right away! Head pressing is a sign of neurological problems.
*IF YOUR CAT IS EXHIBITING THESE SYMPTOMS, PLEASE CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY*
What causes head pressing?
The strange behavior is caused by damage to the nervous system. Head pressing can be caused by several life-threatening medical conditions, such as a brain tumor, encephalitis (brain swelling), stroke, toxic poisoning, a liver shunt, or a metabolic condition. Other symptoms of damage to the nervous system can include:
- Seizures
- Head tilt
- Abnormal vocalizing
- Walking unbalanced
- Pacing compulsively or walking in circles
- Poor reflexes.
Dogs can also exhibit head pressing behavior…
Just like in humans, any neurologic symptoms are life-threatening and need to be taken as an emergency.
What should I do if my cat starts head pressing?
Since head pressing can be a sign of a life-threatening emergency, if you observe your cat exhibiting this behavior, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. In any emergency, you should know how to take your cat’s vitals and notice essential details to share with your veterinarian.
- Check capillary refill time: gums should be a healthy pink, and if you press down on the gums above the canine, the color should return within 2 seconds.
- Check their pulse and respiratory rate: Cup their chest in your hand to feel a heartbeat. A cat’s normal heart rate is between 140 and 220 beats per minute. Watch their chest rise and fall to determine the respiratory rate. At rest, it is 20 to 30 breaths per minute.
- You can also take a rectal temperature: The temperature should be under 102.5.
When taking your cat to the veterinarian, you should be prepared to provide a detailed history that includes what they eat and whether they are an indoor or outdoor kitty. Your veterinarian will also want to check blood pressure and draw blood to assess liver and kidney function, as well as white blood cell and platelet counts. The veterinarian will also want to examine the back of your cat’s eye, which can reveal abnormalities in the brain.
Head pressing is a behavior that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you observe the behavior, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Source: cattitudedaily.com