Problems with back legs

This forum is for cat lovers seeking everyday advice and suggestions on health-related issues. Remember, however, that advice on a public forum simply can't be a substitute for proper medical attention. Only your vet can say assuredly what is best for your cat.

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Leo Lovebug- ♥

It's all about- the ear floof!

Purred: Tue Sep 22, '09 6:14pm PST


	Leo is a 6 month old neutered male kitty. He has been healthy (with the exception of coccidia when I adopted him in June). 5 days ago he stopped jumping up on to furniture and the counter. I noticed right away because he is normally the first kitty by the food bowl when I get dinner ready. But on that night, he meowed from the floor and reached up with his paws but wouldn't/couldn't jump up. He didn't appear to be in pain and was walking, running, etc. normally, just not jumping. The next morning he was not able to go up the stairs. He can go down the stairs without problems but hesitated to go up. He put his front paws on the step and pulled his lower body up but couldn't jump/spring up from his back legs. Took him to the ER vet Saturday morning. The vet examined him and did not see/feel anything unusual in Leo's legs or body. He did say that his symptoms (able to go down stairs but not up and not able to jump) were consistent with trauma to the back legs- a fall, rough play with his brother, something along those lines. Nothing traumatic occured that I am aware of. ER vet said give him a couple of days, restrict his activity, it's probably just a muscle pull or strain. Called my vet on Monday morning, she wanted to see him and do x-rays. On exam, she thought he was tight in his hips and showing some discomfort. X-rays were mostly normal except for slightly enlarged kidneys and one of his hip ball/sockets was slightly straight where it should have been rounded. The vet was concerned that his symptoms might be the first signs of a degenerative bone disease or possible neurological symptoms of leukemia or FIV. The x-ray did not support bone disease. Had a full blood panel done, he was negative for leukemia, FIV, etc. Only one level was slightly abnormal- some kind of enzyme related to his bones. He's on pain killers for 5 days. No changes as of yet. He is still playing, using the litterbox normally (able to get in and out with any problems), and eating and drinking normally. He is not able to climb any of the cat trees, jump up onto higher surfaces, or even get onto the couch or ottoman without help. The plan is to continue his pain meds, check in with the vet on Friday (and call sooner if he gets any worse), and re-do x-rays in 2-3 weeks. She still thinks this might be the very early signs of a bone disease or possibly something neurological. She said orthopedic problems in cats can be really hard to diagnosis. I'm still hoping it's just a muscle strain. Has anyone experienced something like this? He's just the sweetest little guy and I am very concerned about him. Thanks!

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Taz

watch your- fingers, i'm- eating

Purred: Tue Sep 22, '09 8:15pm PST


	Hi Leo! Poor little baby =( I know how much it sucks when you're not sure what's wrong but your little one just doesn't seem right. I don't know how likely a kitten that young is to get diabetes, but I have read that weak hind legs can be a sign of feline diabetes so you might want to make sure the vet is testing for that as well. Here is the excerpt from the Cornell Vet site: A diabetes-related disorder called diabetic neuropathy may cause cats to become progressively weaker, especially in the hind legs, impairing their ability to jump and causing them to walk with their hocks touching the ground. Hopefully it's something much more benign than that, but it can't hurt to ask the vet about it. I really hope your little Leo is off and running and playing and driving you kitty krazy in no time!

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Leo Lovebug- ♥

It's all about- the ear floof!

Purred: Tue Sep 22, '09 8:30pm PST


	Hi Taz, Thanks for the link and the info. I will definitely ask the vet about this when I next speak with her. Nothing was unusual in his blood tests and no other symptoms so hopefully that will rule out diabetes, but obviously something is going on with Leo's back legs/hips. Thank you for the idea as I will definitely follow up on it!

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Leo Lovebug- ♥

It's all about- the ear floof!

Purred: Wed Sep 23, '09 10:54am PST


	It just occured to me that Leo's difficulty keeping his bottom clean after pooping might be related to this- possible weakness in eliminating or maybe it's difficult for him to be in the position without sitting down. I had thought it was because he was a kitten with long hair. That's been happening since he first came here. Maybe that was the first symptom?

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Leo Lovebug- ♥

It's all about- the ear floof!

Purred: Thu Sep 24, '09 6:43pm PST


	Posting an update in case another kitty comes along with similar symptoms. To sum up the course of his sudden illness: Friday evening he couldn't jump onto furniture or higher surfaces. Saturday morning he was having trouble going up the stairs and still not jumping. Saturday he saw the emergency vet. The vet thought he looked good and was not in pain or discomfort. Thought it might be a muscle strain from a fall or rough-housing with his brother. Said to give it 3 days. Monday: He was not any better- still not jumping or climbing. Took him to the regular vet. She did x-rays and blood tests. Everything came back pretty normal, no concerns. Put him on pain medication. Said to give it 5 days. Tuesday night: Leo was not able to use the litterbox; problems passing a bowel movement. Wednesday: More litterbox problems, no longer able to walk and now he is not able to stand without assistance, not eating or drinking. Took him to a new vet. She took him off the pain meds, put him on an anti-biotic for toxoplasmosis, took more blood, waiting for results. Appointment with a neurologist tomorrow. When he tries to walk or stand, he tilts to the side, bobs, and his back legs give out and it does look like a neurological problem, possibly from toxoplasmosis, FIP, or something else- we're just not sure. Thursday: Saw the neurologist. Had electro-diagnostic testing and a spinal tap. The neurologist initially felt it might be an immune-mediated disease, lymphoma, HCM, or less likely FIP or toxoplasmosis. After the testing (he decided no MRI is needed at this point), he is almost positive Leo has immune-mediated disease, possibly brought on by his vaccinations in May/June. This is the best possible diagnosis and Leo may fully recover within a few months with treatment of steroids. This has been horrible; it came out of nowhere. He was a healthy little kitten and then he couldn't jump up or climb the stairs. Within 5 days he was no longer able to stand or walk or use the litter box. He saw 5 vets in 6 days (1 er vet, 1 regular vet, 1 feline specialist vet, and 2 neurologists). Thankfully, we now have some hope. He should make progress over the next week if we have the right diagnosis and right treatment and may fully recover within 2 months. Thanks for all of the purrs!

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Baby Mew Mew

Loves his box!

Purred: Thu Sep 24, '09 6:58pm PST


	Ugh, that sounds terrible... I'm so sorry, hon... I hope everything works out...

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Taz

watch your- fingers, i'm- eating

Purred: Thu Sep 24, '09 8:22pm PST


	Poor Leo, I hope he starts to feel better soon!

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Gracie

I'm the baby,- gotta love me!

Purred: Thu Sep 24, '09 10:11pm PST


	Oh Leo! We are so sorry to hear that. We now wonder whether his sibling knew something about this before you were able to notice (it would explain why he would harass Leo to play, and Leo really wasn't in a mood to play too).

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Leo Lovebug- ♥

It's all about- the ear floof!

Purred: Thu Sep 24, '09 11:57pm PST


	Gracie, I hadn't thought about that but I think you are right. I also think that the reason Leo has been so passive in play and interactions with his siblings is because his reflexes weren't working right because of the nerve problems in his limbs. I just didn't realize it until he stopped jumping. This whole thing just has my head spinning.