Like most vets, I guess cats probably have headachesand I will show why; however, this is not something scientifically proven. When asked about headaches in cats, one case always comes to mind.
A middle-aged cat was brought to my clinic for lethargy and anorexia. Bloodwork and imaging tests are normal, and physically, the cat appears to be doing well, aside from slight withdrawal of behavior. We gave him some fluids, painkillers, and medicine for nausea, and within a day, he recovered and went home.
After several months, both cats became very unwell, eventually developing neurological symptoms. An MRI scan revealed that, to everyone’s dismay, this cat had a large brain tumor. I immediately learned that this was the cause of his mysterious illness many months ago. What was he experiencing at that time? Is it a headache?
Although this is an extreme and sad example, it highlights some of the challenges we, as veterinarians, face while trying to diagnose and treat animals. The main problem is that they cannot tell us their symptoms. Another issue is that their survival instincts prevent them from showing weakness, so some illnesses can fly under the radar.
Since there is no test for headaches, we can only make assumptions based on our observations and what we know about biology.
What We Know About Headaches
In humans, headaches are one of the most common forms of pain. Our headaches range in severity, with the more severe ones being very debilitating. The brain does not have any sensory vessels, so the headache comes from the nerves surrounding the brain.
People can suffer from primary headaches, which can be triggered by stress, or secondary headaches. A migraine is a severe headache accompanied by light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.
Secondary headaches are caused by other problems, such as:
- Dehydration
- Middle ear infections
- Dental problems
- Hypertension
- Sinusitis
- Brain tumors
- Viruses
- Concussions
- Encephalitis
- Toxoplasmosis
Cats can suffer from every condition listed above, so even some of these issues can present as headaches for them. Mice and rats are used as models for studying migraine headaches. Pain receptors on the trigeminal nerve stimulate the tissues surrounding the brain, and stimulation of these nerves has been used to induce migraine headaches in mice.
The fact that animals have these same pathways suggests that they may also experience migraines. In one study, the roots were used in cats to test a migraine medication. A 2013 case study documented a possible case of naturally occurring migraine in a dog. The dog in question is a 5 year old female Cocker Spaniel.
He had unusual episodes lasting up to 3 days and occurring every month or so. Extensive testing, including an MRI scan, showed no abnormalities. Various pain medications were unsuccessful until topiramate, a human migraine drug, was tried.
This medication has greatly improved his quality of life. This is an unusual presentation in animals but provides strong evidence for animals with migraine. Then again, the human brain is an incredible thing. 200,000- 800,000 years ago, there was a rapid increase in brain size in early humans.
While our increased intelligence has given us an evolutionary advantage, it has a price we are still paying today. Our brain is 2% of our body weight but uses 20% of our blood flow and oxygen. Human accelerated DNA regions are areas that have evolved rapidly, and some of them are involved in brain development.
They are thought to be associated with psychiatric disorders seen in humans; for example, genes associated with schizophrenia are associated with these DNA sequences. Do our unique brains cause us to experience headaches differently than animals or more often?
How Can You Tell If Your Cat Has a Headache?
One study investigated the role of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraines and used it to induce pain responses in mice. The mice developed a “grim,” which involved closing the eyes. Cat grimacing is a well-known sign of pain in cats, so cats with headaches are likely to exhibit this grimace.
Other signs of a headache may include:
- hiding
- Anxiety
- Breathing
- Decreased activity
- Reluctance to socialize
- Vocalization
- Head up
- Holding the tail low
- Drooling
- Lip licking
- Vomiting
How to Help a Cat with a Headache
If you suspect your cat has a headache, you may be right. However, it is important to remember that your cat cannot talk to you. While you or I may not always go to a doctor for a headache, it is important to have your cat checked by a veterinarian.
Your veterinarian can examine your cat, take their vitals, and assess the situation. This will ensure that nothing serious is causing your cat’s behavior. Remember that cats naturally mask signs of illness, so if you notice a change, your cat needs help.
Your veterinarian may recommend several additional tests, which may include the following:
- Blood tests
- Imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, or even MRI
- Urine test
Finally, they will create a treatment plan for your cat. If your cat is dehydrated, they may be hospitalized and put on a fluid drip. Medications may include pain relievers or anti-nausea medications. You should follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully.
If your cat is given the all-clear to recover at home, you can set up a comfortable place for him to recover. Because headaches can cause sensitivity to light and sound, your cat may prefer a dark, quiet environment.
You should provide a tasty, simple meal like boiled chicken and encourage drinking. Offering the water in which the chicken was cooked is a great way to increase their water intake. Keep a close eye on your kitten as they recover, and report any additional signs to your veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
Headaches aren’t commonly diagnosed or thought about in animals, but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. A lack of specific tests, masking tendencies, and an animal’s inability to describe symptoms can all contribute to undiagnosed headaches in animals.
There is a fair amount of evidence to back up cats experiencing headaches. If your cat shows signs of being unwell, it’s important not to anthropomorphize them by projecting our headache experiences onto them. While headaches are common in humans and usually not dangerous, this may not be the case for cats. Cats showing signs of headaches may be experiencing other, albeit serious, illnesses and should be evaluated by a veterinarian for best results.
Featured Image Credit: art nick, Shutterstock
