A woman from Miami, Florida, has credited TikTok users with potentially saving her cat’s life after sharing a video of what she first believed was a harmless prank.
In a clip posted on June 15, Rebecca Gladstone, 25, can be seen cuddling her one-year-old rescue cat, Luna. But instead of a playful moment, the video shows the domestic short hair tabby completely limp and unresponsive.
Gladstone initially thought Luna was just playing. “He’s a very silly cat,” she told Newsweek. In the video, she giggles and asks, “Are you kidding me right now?” thinking Luna was simply in a deep sleep. Although he was still breathing, she grew concerned when repeated attempts to wake him failed. Moments later, Luna suddenly returned to normal, playing and running around as usual. Gladstone assumed it might have been a deep REM sleep episode, which can make cats appear lifeless.
However, the situation changed overnight.
When she woke up, the video had gone viral—amassing over 7.8 million views—and was flooded with comments warning of a potential medical emergency. One user wrote, “Cats don’t know how to play dead,” while another, claiming to be a vet assistant, suggested testing Luna for feline diabetes and other issues.
Gladstone told Newsweek that TikTok comments made her realize she might have underestimated the situation. “Commenters shared similar experiences and urged me to act. I had already been thinking of seeing a neurologist, but didn’t think it was urgent.”
She followed up with the neurologist, who reviewed the video and said it wasn’t an immediate emergency but advised scheduling a visit that week.
A vet later examined Luna and suspected diabetes but noted other possible causes. They observed issues with his front paw reflexes, suggesting a neurological problem. Though tests were ordered, the cat continued experiencing similar episodes.
When Luna’s symptoms persisted, the vet recommended an emergency room visit. There, tests—including an EKG, ultrasound, and blood glucose levels—were performed. Staff struggled to insert an IV, possibly due to dehydration. Though a cardiologist was suggested, another vet recommended prioritizing neurological testing.
Doctors also revisited Luna’s history with toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection previously treated with antibiotics. They now believe the earlier treatment course was too short. A new round of antibiotics was prescribed, though vets do not think the infection explains the current symptoms.
“Luna is acting totally normal now—playful and energetic—but he still has these episodes,” said Gladstone. “We’re waiting on blood test results. Multiple specialists have reviewed the video, but none have seen anything like it.”
Dr. Cliff Redford, director of Wellington Veterinary Hospital in Ontario, told Newsweek the behavior may be a form of syncope—a temporary loss of consciousness often caused by low blood pressure or neurological issues. He explained that in animals, fainting can result from heart disease or low blood sugar, and may not always involve full-body seizures. In some cases, seizures only affect certain muscles or cause mental symptoms such as vertigo or blackouts.
Redford emphasized that both heart and brain conditions need to be considered when a pet collapses or goes limp, and said Luna’s case may involve an uncommon presentation of one of these conditions.
