Advice needed please about leg problems

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shawna

shawna

Member Since 2017
Hello,
I'm hoping to get some advice or information....

When my cat was diagnosed with diabetes he was having trouble with weak legs...and he's very unsteady when he walks. He doesn't walk much. He was also diagnosed with one spot of arthritis on his spine...but I think his leg problems might be neuropathy??

He hasn't had insulin in over a month because I switched to wet food/low carb and his blood sugar levels have been in the correct range.

However his legs are getting worse. I've been giving him zobaline. Now his left front leg/paw is really getting bad - he is bending it back and walking on the top of that paw. (Like if our hand was the paw and we would walk on our palm - instead bend that up to your wrist and walk on the top of your hand.)

He does it off and on, almost looks like he can't feel his foot? Or he just steps down on any part of his foot without having control....I don't know, but he's hobbling around and super unsteady on his feet -- he doesn't walk unless he's going to the litter box.

My vet is out with an injury, so I'm going to the newer lady there and I just want to be informed before I go so I know what to ask for...

I just wish I knew is this from diabetes? Arthritis? Neurological?
I'm giving him the zobaline, cosequin, and now adequan shots in his skin.

Any advise or thoughts anyone could share with me about any of this would be so very appreciated!! It's so heartbreaking watching my sweetie lose his ability to walk!
 
How long has he been on the Zobaline and the Adequan? If his diabetes is in remission it shouldn't be diabetic neuropathy, but there are other things that can cause neuropathy, too.It doesn't really sound like arthritis, but I guess it could be. When did he last have bloodwork done? A potassium deficiency can cause leg weakness that looks a lot like neuropathy.
 
Squalliesmom said:
How long has he been on the Zobaline and the Adequan? If his diabetes is in remission it shouldn't be diabetic neuropathy, but there are other things that can cause neuropathy, too.It doesn't really sound like arthritis, but I guess it could be. When did he last have bloodwork done? A potassium deficiency can cause leg weakness that looks a lot like neuropathy.
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Hello!
Thank you so much for your message!
I've been giving him zobaline once a day since May 15th.
He's only on his second shot for the adequan (I'm doing one shot per week for eight weeks and last Thursday was week 2)
His last blood work was in April of this year when he was diagnosed with diabetes.
Thank you for the info about the potassium! He eats only canned food now. Should I ask the vet for blood work/potassium check?
I just want to have some sort of knowledge going into the vet in case she doesn't know (the more experienced vet I want to see is out for another month)
His legs have been on the decline since February of this year is when he started looking sick and losing weight - and he then he was diagnosed with his diabetes in April. This is the worst his legs have been though, especially that one leg/paw.
 
I know it can take a while before you see the results of the Zobaline, but if it's diabetic neuropathy I wouldn't expect it to get worse while his BG is normal and he's getting the meds. I would definitely ask about a possible potassium deficiency. It also may be some other type of neuropathy/neurological issue, or even a complication of arthritis or an injury. When does he see the vet? Please let me know how you make out and what she says! :bighug:
 
Squalliesmom said:
I know it can take a while before you see the results of the Zobaline, but if it's diabetic neuropathy I wouldn't expect it to get worse while his BG is normal and he's getting the meds. I would definitely ask about a possible potassium deficiency. It also may be some other type of neuropathy/neurological issue, or even a complication of arthritis or an injury. When does he see the vet? Please let me know how you make out and what she says! :bighug:
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Thank you! I wrote it down to check on his potassium! Yes his BG is in normal ranges and I haven't given any insulin. I wasn't sure if he needed tiny doses of insulin even if his numbers are in the normal range?
His legs are definitly getting worse though. And he did have a patch of arthritis on his spine, so maybe it is nerve problems.
I'm going to call the vet in the morning - I just wanted to get some information so I can make the most of his appointment. His appointment will be this week I'm sure - I will definitely let you know how it turns out!!! :) thanks for your help!
 
shawna said:
Thank you! I wrote it down to check on his potassium! Yes his BG is in normal ranges and I haven't given any insulin. I wasn't sure if he needed tiny doses of insulin even if his numbers are in the normal range?
His legs are definitly getting worse though. And he did have a patch of arthritis on his spine, so maybe it is nerve problems.
I'm going to call the vet in the morning - I just wanted to get some information so I can make the most of his appointment. His appointment will be this week I'm sure - I will definitely let you know how it turns out!!! :) thanks for your help!
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You're very welcome! I hope it's a good visit and an easy fix. Fingers and paws crossed for Teddy! :):cat:
 
Squalliesmom,
The vet said it is nerve pain/damage. She said it could be from arthritis or from a fall. He did tumble off the couch a week or so ago, so that could of aggravated it, but he was having problems with that foot prior to that.
She said I'd have to go to a neurological specialist to have testing done and etc, but she didn't sound like there are any cures. I wouldn't want him going through extensive surgeries. I don't know!
She gave me medicine and told me to monitor him for two weeks.
He's not getting worse (or better) so I'm trying to stay calm. He's eating and using the litter box.
In a month the senior vet who owns the practice will be back and I'll get her opinion and she will do X-rays and blood work on him. So until then I'm just going to hopefully monitor him.

Thanks for your help, xoxo :bighug:
 
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