posted 01-11-2004 12:34 PM         

There are a number of causes of twitching in cats, because this can be
associated with pruritis (itchiness) and there are a lot of causes of
pruritis. If this occurs very frequently during the day it is probably
more likely to be some sort of problem with itchiness. If it occurs
infrequently during the day then something like a focal seizure may be
possible. These are reported in cats more frequently than in dogs (at
least that is my impression, I'm not sure it is actually true). Twitching
is sometimes seen with liver disorders, pancreatitis, low blood sugar and
high blood sugar, as well. I think that toxoplasmosis causes enough
neurologic problems that twitching could be related to it, but haven't
seen that written anywhere.

One particularly common cause of twitching is feline hyperesthesia
syndrome, but normally the twitching occurs more along the flanks and top
of the spine near the base of the tail. Often, cats with this condition
are OK unless they are touched or petted, but many will have twitching and
even self-mutilation without any external stimulus.

Facial twitches have been reported with feline immunodeficiency virus
infection and sometimes occur when there is periodontal disease,
odontoclastic lesions of teeth or stomatitis in cats.

Ear mites make some cats twitch their heads or ears. Fleas can do this.
Allergies make some cats so itchy that they have skin twitching. Mite
infections (cats get several skin mites) can cause itchiness and twitching.

Your vet probably didn't see any clinical signs of skin disease or ear
mites and may think that the other conditions are unlikely. If this
problem is getting worse, if there is visible skin damage in addition to
the twitching or if you just want to know if a cause can be identified,
you should schedule a visit with your vet for this particular problem.
Sometimes I forget to take things that clients mention during an exam,
that isn't part of the presenting problem, seriously enough. I assume
other vets might do that, too.