'Tom and Jerry Syndrome': High-pitched sounds trigger seizures in elderly cats

Older cats may get seizures after hearing certain loud, high-pitched sounds like keys rattling, tin foil crinkling, or a metal spoon banging against a food dish, researchers said.

Even sounds as ordinary as tapping on a computer keyboard, hammering a nail or the noise of a clucking tongue could set off a seizure, mainly in cats over the age of 10, said the report published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

The study began as an inquiry by the charity International Cat Care, which asked veterinary neurologists about reports from some cat owners describing unusual seizures.

International media reported on the apparent disorder - coined “Tom and Jerry syndrome” after the cartoon feline, Tom, that often displayed sudden jerking in response to loud noises and surprises from his mouse adversary, Jerry - and real-life reports from cat owners began pouring in.

Now the disorder has a real name: feline audiogenic reflex seizures (FARS).

Humans can also suffer from audiogenic reflex seizures, which are triggered by certain sounds.

In some cases, the sounds may cause a sudden pause in movement, while in other cases the noises lead to brief jerking motions that may last several minutes.