Pregnancy in epileptic cats

Pregnancy in a queen (female cats) with epilepsy is tricky to manage and should be avoided.

Many epilepsy medications can cross the placenta and may have adverse effects on the kittens. The kittens may also develop epilepsy if there is a genetic basis to the disease. In addition, epileptic seizures in pregnant queens can have severe risks for the unborn kittens with lasting effects, including premature death, with risks to the mother too.

Therefore, if your cat falls pregnant, it is recommended to seek guidance from your veterinary surgeon.

Epilepsy medications are excreted in small amounts in breast milk and nursing kittens should be monitored carefully for undesired effects.

Weaning early or hand-rearing may be an option. If newborns exhibit any problems, it is recommended to seek guidance from your veterinary surgeon

Managing pregnancy in a cat with epilepsy is therefore risky for both the mother and kittens, which is why neutering a pet with epilepsy is strongly recommended.