Hello everyone,
This is my first time posting and I am in a state where I don’t know what to do with my cat. My cat Lily is 10 years old and struggles with his hind legs. Back in August, Lily suddenly started limping with his shoulders hunched forward. He suddenly stopped eating, drinking, and going to the litter box. I knew he was in pain so I went to the vet and all they did was take his blood test, blood pressure, and x-ray. All results came back normal so they couldn’t figure out what was causing him pain. Based on physical examination, they assumed he may have pancreatitis because he would hunch forward when touching his abdomen. All they gave me was pain medication and sent us home.
Later that night, Lily urinated on the floor and started meowing in pain. I thought at that moment he was about to pass away but luckily he did not. I went to the vet once more and all they could provide was more pain medication and a fluid shot to keep him hydrated. Over time, I fed Lily cooked chicken, baby food mixed with pancreas supplement, and fancy feast kibble. He gradually started getting better although his walking was still bad. His hind legs would spread outward and his stool would come out in small pebbles. He also could not stretch his leg to scratch his ear so I had to help him. He had a consistent appetite although it was less than my other healthy cat. Months go by and Lily seemed fine except for his walking so I did not feel urgent to take him to the vet considering he gets extremely stressed when taking him out.
Fast forward to this past week, Lily’s walking started getting worse and his hind legs would spread out while he sits or walks. He would trip and it seemed like his legs were weak. He also started losing muscle as well. I took him to a different vet this time and the vet told me that he may have nerve issues in the spine since his legs would not react when pinching them. We took another blood test since it was 10 months since the last one and the results came out the same. He did not have diabetes nor any viruses so those were ruled out. My vet told me that it could be a neurological issue and suggested steroid, buprenex(pain meds), and Clindamycin(anti-inflammatory). I have searched online all day for any possibilities for why he cannot walk and there is too much to figure out. At this moment, Lily can barely walk his way to the litter box. His legs are still spread outward and when he is laying down his back legs stick out straight. His appetite is getting low and he seems lethargic. He can eat while laying down.
Based on my perspective, I feel my cat may have gotten some nerve damage from the excruciating pain he felt back in August when he was meowing in pain. I have yet to truly find out what really was the cause of that pain as the vet only assumed pancreatitis without suggesting taking tests for pancreatitis. Lily did not have a seizure as I was by his side at all times and his body is not stiff in any places. His eyes are clear and he takes interest in his surroundings so I am doubtful about it being neurological. He also plays with strings although he would never attempt to use his back legs to play. Lily has the ability to kick and scratch, although not as much power, but still capable. His tail goes up however I have noticed that when I massage his thigh his tail would slightly twitch. I am planning on visiting a specialist although I am wary because the past two vets that I visited had no answers other than medication. I am also hesitant about getting an MRI because of the risks from radiography as well as putting him under anesthesia for “possible” answers. If possible, I would like any opinions or ideas of what may be wrong with Lily as well as what action should I take from here on out.
This is my first time posting and I am in a state where I don’t know what to do with my cat. My cat Lily is 10 years old and struggles with his hind legs. Back in August, Lily suddenly started limping with his shoulders hunched forward. He suddenly stopped eating, drinking, and going to the litter box. I knew he was in pain so I went to the vet and all they did was take his blood test, blood pressure, and x-ray. All results came back normal so they couldn’t figure out what was causing him pain. Based on physical examination, they assumed he may have pancreatitis because he would hunch forward when touching his abdomen. All they gave me was pain medication and sent us home.
Later that night, Lily urinated on the floor and started meowing in pain. I thought at that moment he was about to pass away but luckily he did not. I went to the vet once more and all they could provide was more pain medication and a fluid shot to keep him hydrated. Over time, I fed Lily cooked chicken, baby food mixed with pancreas supplement, and fancy feast kibble. He gradually started getting better although his walking was still bad. His hind legs would spread outward and his stool would come out in small pebbles. He also could not stretch his leg to scratch his ear so I had to help him. He had a consistent appetite although it was less than my other healthy cat. Months go by and Lily seemed fine except for his walking so I did not feel urgent to take him to the vet considering he gets extremely stressed when taking him out.
Fast forward to this past week, Lily’s walking started getting worse and his hind legs would spread out while he sits or walks. He would trip and it seemed like his legs were weak. He also started losing muscle as well. I took him to a different vet this time and the vet told me that he may have nerve issues in the spine since his legs would not react when pinching them. We took another blood test since it was 10 months since the last one and the results came out the same. He did not have diabetes nor any viruses so those were ruled out. My vet told me that it could be a neurological issue and suggested steroid, buprenex(pain meds), and Clindamycin(anti-inflammatory). I have searched online all day for any possibilities for why he cannot walk and there is too much to figure out. At this moment, Lily can barely walk his way to the litter box. His legs are still spread outward and when he is laying down his back legs stick out straight. His appetite is getting low and he seems lethargic. He can eat while laying down.
Based on my perspective, I feel my cat may have gotten some nerve damage from the excruciating pain he felt back in August when he was meowing in pain. I have yet to truly find out what really was the cause of that pain as the vet only assumed pancreatitis without suggesting taking tests for pancreatitis. Lily did not have a seizure as I was by his side at all times and his body is not stiff in any places. His eyes are clear and he takes interest in his surroundings so I am doubtful about it being neurological. He also plays with strings although he would never attempt to use his back legs to play. Lily has the ability to kick and scratch, although not as much power, but still capable. His tail goes up however I have noticed that when I massage his thigh his tail would slightly twitch. I am planning on visiting a specialist although I am wary because the past two vets that I visited had no answers other than medication. I am also hesitant about getting an MRI because of the risks from radiography as well as putting him under anesthesia for “possible” answers. If possible, I would like any opinions or ideas of what may be wrong with Lily as well as what action should I take from here on out.
