Cat Struggling To Walk For 10 Months

[Furballsmom]

You wouldn't need a referral for a university veterinarian, or your vet could consult with them. I mean, if he's lost movement in his front legs as well, I guess I'm wondering what value the steroids really are?
I think I'd try to get an MRI if your vet believes it would help with finding a solution.

 

[Furballsmom]

Are you able to utilize financial aid?

Just in case;
Try something here (apologies for any dead links);
Financial Assistance – Day By Day Caregiver Support Inc.

Financial Aid for Pets

No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat's Life

 

[nunnc84]

Well, the symptoms came back. We are trying 30 days of steroids.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

If you are close enough to Reno, the University of Nevada, Reno, has a full veterinary college. Typically, Veterinary Colleges are practicing cutting edge medicine with the best and latest in equipment and diagnostic tools. They are NOT always cheaper than your regular vet, however. That said, considering what your baby is going through, it may well be worth looking into.

Keeping a candle lit for you both!

 

[LuluM]

If you are close enough to Reno, the University of Nevada, Reno, has a full veterinary college. Typically, Veterinary Colleges are practicing cutting edge medicine with the best and latest in equipment and diagnostic tools. They are NOT always cheaper than your regular vet, however. That said, considering what your baby is going through, it may well be worth looking into.

Keeping a candle lit for you both!

View attachment 312735

I am pretty far from Reno unfortunately, thank you for looking into it. I think the only other option I have is to either handle things on my own or go see the specialist. Knowing I’ll put Lily under stress if I do hurts my heart and there’s no guarantee that I will find the answer let alone a cure. I noticed that the more stress I put on him the worse his condition gets. After having to take him several times to vets he seems pretty traumatized to go outside. He has always been a sensitive cat where he would run away and hide anytime a stranger came in the house. I can assume he would panic if I forced him to go again. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, I hope they reach Lily

 

[Mamanyt1953]

My heart with yours.

I did check on my favorite stress-reducer for cats, chamomile tea, and it DOES lessen the effects of steroids...HOWEVER, ONE dose before going to the vet, to relax him, might be worth it, since it would be very short-term. Should you want to try it, let me know, and I'll post the details about using it.

 

[LuluM]

You wouldn't need a referral for a university veterinarian, or your vet could consult with them. I mean, if he's lost movement in his front legs as well, I guess I'm wondering what value the steroids really are?
I think I'd try to get an MRI if your vet believes it would help with finding a solution.

Would a neurological or nerve issue require MRI testing? I want to know exactly the process that goes in MRI testing and is it safe? I’m afraid of putting Lily through it and having his condition get worse. If I find out there’s no solution to his issue I would be heartbroken...might even regret putting him through so much stress. I wish I could consult with someone that knows a lot about this sort of situation without trying to get my money. I know that Lily’s condition is complicated but I just want someone honest to consult with.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

The danger with MRI testing is that a cat has to be under a general anesthetic for it, since you can't simply tell a cat "Hold very still, do not move." The test itself is perfectly safe, and would NOT make his condition worse. And they should do blood work before hand to make sure that he can withstand the anesthesia. HOWEVER, it can tell them all sorts of things about what is going on inside his little body that NOTHING else can. Darlin, at this point, neither you nor Lily have a lot to lose by trying, and possibly much to gain. What we do know is that RIGHT NOW, his quality of life is not good. And that can't go on indefinitely. The MRI might be his best chance at being a "real cat" again. But I know how scary it is, and how hard a decision it is. Ask yourself this..."If I were Lily, would I want to stay this way, or take a chance to get better, no matter how dangerous it might be?" You don't know how hard it was for me to type this, KNOWING that there is ALWAYS a danger with anesthetic. And take what I say with a grain of salt...this MUST be your decision.

 

[LuluM]

My heart with yours.

I did check on my favorite stress-reducer for cats, chamomile tea, and it DOES lessen the effects of steroids...HOWEVER, ONE dose before going to the vet, to relax him, might be worth it, since it would be very short-term. Should you want to try it, let me know, and I'll post the details about using it.

Thank you, I may try that if the time comes where I need to take him. If it helps him calm down even a little, I think it would prevent him from stressing his body out. I will ask you for the details when the time comes. Are there any other methods to relaxing cats? I’m also open to massage therapy or any pain relieving tactics just to make Lily feel good in his everyday life.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Actually, if you can find a good holistic practioner in your area, acupuncture works GREAT on cats! And it may even help with the neurological issues. I've seen it do some amazing things!

Not cats, but a friend of mine had a C-section with NO anesthesia but acupuncture, and said it was totally pain and stress free!

 

[LuluM]

The danger with MRI testing is that a cat has to be under a general anesthetic for it, since you can't simply tell a cat "Hold very still, do not move." The test itself is perfectly safe, and would NOT make his condition worse. And they should do blood work before hand to make sure that he can withstand the anesthesia. HOWEVER, it can tell them all sorts of things about what is going on inside his little body that NOTHING else can. Darlin, at this point, neither you nor Lily have a lot to lose by trying, and possibly much to gain. What we do know is that RIGHT NOW, his quality of life is not good. And that can't go on indefinitely. The MRI might be his best chance at being a "real cat" again. But I know how scary it is, and how hard a decision it is. Ask yourself this..."If I were Lily, would I want to stay this way, or take a chance to get better, no matter how dangerous it might be?" You don't know how hard it was for me to type this, KNOWING that there is ALWAYS a danger with anesthetic. And take what I say with a grain of salt...this MUST be your decision.

That is what I was fearing the most. I have been talking with my family on what we should do. My mom is against the MRI because she has read several blogs about owners losing their pets through anesthesia. This may be the hardest decision knowing my choice can possibly kill Lily. My heart hurts knowing I have no other options and if I do end up losing Lily I would never forgive myself. A part of me also doubts there is a cure for him to be a “real cat” again considering it’s not something medication nor surgery could fix. It may just be something that was developed in him all this time and just happened to show up at a certain age. If that’s the case the only way is to let Lily live a happy life as much as possible in the state that he is in. Thank you for telling me this, I know deep down that I’m limited in options and this may be a road that I cannot avoid, it’s just a very difficult decision to make.

 

[LuluM]

Another thing is that I’m stuck on which place I should go to get the MRI if I ever did. The specialist that I was recommended doesn’t have the best reviews and after encountering vets that don’t properly handle the situation I’m not sure if I can put my trust in them to not possibly kill Lily. I would need to do thorough research and trust my decision.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

That's exactly what I would advise. Do your research, and trust your instincts! Don't second-guess on this. No matter what you decide, at some point you're going to want to think, "But what if..." and that can literally paralyze your.

 

[LuluM]

I am open to reading any personal experiences with cat MRI if anybody has gone through it. I want to know about the process as much as possible.

 

[LuluM]

The most important part that I want to know is that was there a situation where a cat having difficulty walking took an MRI and was able to find a solution? Was there a case where cats getting an MRI benefitted them? Lily is almost 11 years old so he is very much a senior cat. Half of me is thinking that Lily doesn’t have much time left even if he was cured so I want to allow as much happiness and stress-free life with the amount of time that he has. If he was a young cat, I would consider because he would have many more years to live. Lily’s condition may also be a case of dna where his body was developed in that way and just happened to erupt this past year.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

See if you can add "Need MRI Experiences" to the title of the post. IF you can't, contact one of the Site Moderators. I can't do that at my level, but they may be able to! It will get people's attention!

 

[LuluM]

See if you can add "Need MRI Experiences" to the title of the post. IF you can't, contact one of the Site Moderators. I can't do that at my level, but they may be able to! It will get people's attention!

I will do that now, want to see if there’s anybody with real experience in having cats go through MRI

 

[Kflowers]

Whatever your decision, know that it comes to you through God and the
universe. Lily knows you will make the best decision you can. That you are going through this is a measure of the strength of your bond with Lily, God and the universe. My prayers have been and will be with you and Lily for as long as you need them.

 

[moxiewild]

So, this may be if very little use to you because in this case, it was known the kitten had a physical injury - however, it might still be worthwhile to try contacting the owner/OP. She has advocated fiercely for that kitten every step of the way and she might have some advice or guidance to give you for the type of specialists to seek out, how to find a good one, what questions to ask, and physical therapy tips - Paralyzed Stray Black Kitten

Also, I’ve had cats and fosters who have had an MRI. I’m not clear on what you would like to know, though. I don’t think I have anything to add that hasn’t already been said.

Have you ever had an MRI yourself before?

They’ll basically sedate Lily, secure him to a table, and slide him into a large tube. He won’t be awake for any of it, so no stress or fear.

The MRI itself will not hurt Lily. The sedation and type of sedation (you can ask your vet for exact name and how it will be administered) are the only concern here, and the only things I inquire about for an MRI.

Essentially, there is very little difference between an MRI and a dental cleaning for a cat - only the MRI is actually safer and less painful.

 

[moxiewild]

The most important part that I want to know is that was there a situation where a cat having difficulty walking took an MRI and was able to find a solution? Was there a case where cats getting an MRI benefitted them? Lily is almost 11 years old so he is very much a senior cat. Half of me is thinking that Lily doesn’t have much time left even if he was cured so I want to allow as much happiness and stress-free life with the amount of time that he has. If he was a young cat, I would consider because he would have many more years to live. Lily’s condition may also be a case of dna where his body was developed in that way and just happened to erupt this past year.

I must have missed this comment.

I’ve had lots of cats and dogs and other animals go through an MRI. (I’ve also had several MRIs myself). I work full time with wildlife and exotics (lions, apes, etc) at a sanctuary, and I rescue, foster, and adopt primarily senior and geriatric animals. So I do understand your worry.

The MRI itself is of no concern and will not injure or kill your cat unless a freak accident that no vet could ever possibly predict or control happens. I cannot stress this enough. The ONLY concern is sedation/anesthesia.

MRIs are incredibly helpful and beneficial, and yes, I have seen them solve issues with paralysis. MRIs allow medical professionals to see what is happening inside the body in a way that would otherwise be impossible.

But it is only a diagnostic tool.

If there is anything to see, they will see it.

But if there’s nothing to see, the best it can do is help to rule out other conditions that the vet would not have been able to rule out otherwise - which is often helpful in and of itself to varying degrees, and can help inform your vet of the next best course of action to figure out what is going on.