Wobbly gait, walking in circles, twitches and more

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Marlena

Marlena

Member Since 2015
Rocky is giving me more challenges with his health. Hoping that some of you had experienced what I'm observing with Rocky and can give me an idea what it might be:
he had a couple of seizures recently
he seems to really struggle with walking, specially up and down stairs (he has arthritis)
he walks in circles and than collapses on the floor on his side
he has wobbly gait and seems to be week when it comes to muscle strength but no diabetic neuropathy
he seems confused, very tired, no energy
he has body twitches (ears, legs)
he is very vocal normally but last 2 days - rather quiet
his BG regulation and appetite is good.
We are going to the vets in the afternoon but I know there are lots of things which could produce these symptoms.
My first thought is that he might have electrolytes imbalance, I know that his potassium is low but because it is in the range at very bottom level the vet says he doesn't need a supplement. Low potassium goes hand in hand with low magnesium and that could be giving him these symptoms. Cats with diabetes, CKD (he has stage 2) and digestive problems do have low minerals due to not absorbing nutrients from food.
It can also be a vestibular problem or a stroke.
Pretty difficult to figure out.
Let's see if some of you have any idea, thanks in advance for your thoughts.
@Elizabeth and Bertie
 
It is rather difficult to say. Possibly to the left but his head position is normal, he has no tilt.
It looks like he is going to settle down on the floor to lick his undertail as he used to do it a lot but instead he just circles few times and just lays down.
 
We are back from the vet's. Very thorough examination, bloods taken for inflammatory markers and infectious diseases just to rule these out as looks like it is a neurological problem which might be inflammation on the brain or worse brain tumour.
Rocky has been very good and patient, very good boy, vet is concerned.
Please pray for us, I don't want Rocky to suffer.
Very difficult time for us but I still hope that he has something treatable and he can enjoy his life for a bit longer.
Worried Marlena:nailbiting:
 
This could be a heart condition. I am now becoming versed in heart issues along with all the other diseases I've dealt with . Symptoms are surprising. Just experienced one with my sister's dog and all I can say is ask your vet about that. Time is not your friend. I hope it's treatable. :bighug:
 
((((Marlena)))) really hoping this turns out to be something easily treatable... I know how worried you must be.
Hugs
Diana
 
tiffmaxee said:
This could be a heart condition. I am now becoming versed in heart issues along with all the other diseases I've dealt with . Symptoms are surprising. Just experienced one with my sister's dog and all I can say is ask your vet about that. Time is not your friend. I hope it's treatable. :bighug:
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Thank you, Rocky had thorough exam. Vet did not mention any abnormality with the heart but more tests might be needed. Why do you think it could be heart condition with these symptoms?
 
Oh Marlena I'm so sorry, I hope it's something treatable. Could be ear related. Some of that sounds like heart issues but there aren't enough specific heart symptoms to convince me. Maybe hypertension rather than a full blown heart issue.

If he's had a couple of seizures then it's possible it's connected.
Every time an animal has a seizure it's caused usually by a misfiring electrical impulse. Unfortunately seizures can cause more misfires creating a cascade effect and making them appear more often. It could be he's having small misfires in his brain which is causing the symptoms you are seeing. Petit mal.

If that's the case he can be put on phenobarbital to control them. Or you may want to look into CBD oil as some dog owners have had success with that.

Sending so many hugs for you both, :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Heart disease is hard to diagnose. They thought Kobe had neuro issues. The only way to diagnose what he had was an echo. I've since read up on symptoms. We were told his heart was good. Seizures, hind weakness, weakness in general, not eating are symptoms for heart disease as well as many other things. . Our vet did not do X-rays when brought in Thursday. XRays on Saturday according to weekend vet were ok but the radiologist saw an enlarged heart. This may not be the case at all but I was told it's a silent killer so if they don't come up with anything from the labs I'd want X-rays. I hope I'm wrong and certainly don't want to alarm you. Just have it on your radar. I lost Max to heart disease in days even though X-rays taken 6 months before were normal and same with Kobe.
 
TempestsMum said:
Oh Marlena I'm so sorry, I hope it's something treatable. Could be ear related. Some of that sounds like heart issues but there aren't enough specific heart symptoms to convince me. Maybe hypertension rather than a full blown heart issue.

If he's had a couple of seizures then it's possible it's connected.
Every time an animal has a seizure it's caused usually by a misfiring electrical impulse. Unfortunately seizures can cause more misfires creating a cascade effect and making them appear more often. It could be he's having small misfires in his brain which is causing the symptoms you are seeing. Petit mal.

If that's the case he can be put on phenobarbital to control them. Or you may want to look into CBD oil as some dog owners have had success with that.

Sending so many hugs for you both, :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Many thanks Tara.
Rocky's BP has been good so far, checked few times due to CKD stage 2.
We don't observe any breathing problems or frequent vomiting which could point towards heart disease. The only thing which would be a symptom of this is weakness in his legs. I think I will quickly push for MRI so if he goes for that he will be evaluated for a heart condition. Thank God we have one of the best cancer centres and top neurological specialist not that far from us (Newmarket).
The vet ruled out the ear problem I think but lets wait for results of blood tests.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Heart disease is hard to diagnose. They thought Kobe had neuro issues. The only way to diagnose what he had was an echo. I've since read up on symptoms. We were told his heart was good. Seizures, hind weakness, weakness in general, not eating are symptoms for heart disease as well as many other things. . Our vet did not do X-rays when brought in Thursday. XRays on Saturday according to weekend vet were ok but the radiologist saw an enlarged heart. This may not be the case at all but I was told it's a silent killer so if they don't come up with anything from the labs I'd want X-rays. I hope I'm wrong and certainly don't want to alarm you. Just have it on your radar. I lost Max to heart disease in days even though X-rays taken 6 months before were normal and same with Kobe.
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Thank you so much for that information.
I will push for cardio testing a.s.a.p. Rocky's brother died suddenly at the age of 8, I think it was a heart condition which wasn't diagnosed. Since his was a kitten he had serious breathing problems and cough and diagnosis was asthma. Unfortunately prescribed meds did not work very well, worked just a little but cat wasn't well and died young and suddenly. But I can not be 100% sure that I'm right.
 
With regards to the heart issues, while cats don't have the coughing associated with congestive heart issues that dogs do. Many of the symptoms are the same. The issue is that in cats hide these things really well.

The hind end weakness 'FATE' in cats is caused by a blood clot and causes sudden paralysis and leaves the cat in great distress.
Yes they do take seizures, my dog has them from time due to CHF and my previous dog also had them. These are normally caused by a lack of oxygen getting to the brain, most of the times I've seen them happen in dogs with CHF they are usually deeply asleep and I wonder if that has something to do with it (i.e. The trigger).

Noticeable in dogs and cats and useful to check is the colour of the gums, whether they are nicely pink (my dogs cardiologist always used to tell me to look at the colour of the tongue which should look like a nice piece of ham lol) whether the gums are tacky. And you can count their breaths. I do find it simple (not so simple with cats though!) when a dog with heart issues is lying on my feet you can feel the pace of the heart rhythm which can indicate issues.

Because I've had CKCs for many many years I know when the MVD worsens as I can feel the back flow of the blood through the heart. It feels like a swoosh which gets worse as progression towards CHF happens.

Hopefully checking some of these things might help lower your stress levels Marlena and I'm sincerely hoping it's not this although it is possible to control it (in most cases) with meds that improve quality of life.
 
Prayers and vines that these issues Rocky is experiencing turn out to be eminently treatable and will resolve quickly. I know how worried you must be. (((Hugs))) for you and gentle scritches for Rocky. :bighug: :cat: :bighug: :cat: :bighug: :cat:
 
Sorry to hear about Rocky's brother dying at age 8. We lost Scoobs last year, at age 8 or 9. So young for our kittehs to leave us then.

I hope you get a good diagnosis for Rocky. Rooting for him here.
 
JeffJ said:
Sorry to hear about Rocky's brother dying at age 8. We lost Scoobs last year, at age 8 or 9. So young for our kittehs to leave us then.

I hope you get a good diagnosis for Rocky. Rooting for him here.
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Thank you Jeff!
 
I have arranged for Rocky to have a neurological assessment, cardio testing and possible MRI for Monday pending insurance decision to pay for it (very expensive as you can imagine).
I hope we will have some answers soon.
In the meantime Rocky seems to be a tiny bit better, definitely not worse. Hope he will stay like that till we get a diagnosis and we can treat him.
Wishing you all good health dear friends:cat:
 
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