Idiopathic Facial Paralysis

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General information on Idiopathic Facial Paralysis

Idiopathic facial paralysis is when the cranial nerves that lead to the facial muscles freeze or become paralyzed. In most cases, the cause is damage to the cranial nerves. The damage can be caused by injury, or, in most cases, the cause of the damage to the cranial nerves remains unknown. This condition can be either unilateral or bilateral; meaning that either one or both sides of the face can be affected. Cats that are affected by this condition cannot blink on the affected side(s) of the face, drool out of the affected side(s) of the mouth, and the ears and lips will droop on the affected side(s) as well. The overall appearance is similar to the affects of a stroke.

Symptoms of Idiopathic Facial Paralysis

Some of the symptoms of idiopathic facial paralysis may be: the cat is unable to blink on one or both sides of the face, the cat drools out of one or both sides of the mouth, the ear on either one or both sides of the head will droop downward, and the lips on either one or both sides of the mouth will droop downward.

Treatments for Idiopathic Facial Paralysis

The treatment for idiopathic facial paralysis is aimed at the symptoms due to the fact that there is no cure for idiopathic facial paralysis. Artificial tears are applied to the affected eyes. In some cases, the affected cat will improve over time.

Personal Experience

Idiopathic Facial Paralysis - personal experiences