Arthritis or neuropathy? (short video of Bronx walking)

Rob W. & Emmett said:
IBut I believe I read somewhere on here that B12 alone will not be absorbed very well by a cat. Need the folic acid as well. I think someone on here makes their own, but that's why Zobaline is easier (has b12 and the folic acid). Folic acid allows for the absorption of the b12...even for humans it makes for better absorption. At 1500mcg of just B12 I'm not sure that's anywhere near enough...but I'm no vet. You may need like 6000mcg or something to account for absorption...Zobaline I just give the 3000mcg pill once a day. But your guy has accro...not sure. I even give my non-diabetic cat Zobaline (she's Emmett's sister)...it's overall good for the cat anyway..
Click to expand...

I did use both folic acid drops & B-12 as suggested by someone here as a cheap alternative to Zobaline. I just ordered more folic acid, thanks for reminding me about that
 
Can’t look back Paul. Don’t live in a “what if” world. I have gotten to know you thru your post, SS, signature and a few PM’s.
Gosh, you are doing everything- SO much more so than many others I’ve “visited.” Please don’t regret anything. Don’t look back... only if/ what if. Look at all you give to Bronx today:bighug:.
Dang!?!
 
Krystina & Nelli said:
A “biggie” I forgot to mention!
Rub his legs, one long rub, from top to paw. He’ll like that if it is neuropathy and his lower legs (maybe only paws) will feel cold/cool, again if it is (it is, trust me,)
Can’t believe I didn’t mention this a while back. This is a, hands down, for sure sign to you that neuropathy is the cause
Click to expand...

I will try that, thanks!
 
Bronx's dad said:
Wish I caught the acro sooner than I did :(
Click to expand...
How could you have known? Even vets miss these pituitary conditions sometimes. No one can ever diagnose Cushing’s, for instance. In hindsight it always seems so obvious. I think you take great care of Bronx- look at all those supplements! I know it’s hard not to be hard on yourself but I think you’re doing a great job!
 
Bronx's dad said:
You definitely caught the acro more early on than I did with Bronx. He had a strange gait from like 9 or 10 yrs old and I just thought it was arthritis setting in. Wish I caught the acro sooner than I did :(
Click to expand...

That old saying innit. Hindsight is a wonderful thing .
You do a fab job . Don't knock yourself.

Are you considering a wee vet visit?

Krystina & Nelli said:
I’d check into the shot (form) of administering b-12. I know it’s available and I know it’s effect is near immediate.
Click to expand...

That may be an ECID thing. It didn't have that effect for Ty although it did help the IBD I felt.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
The full effects of SRT can take two years to be felt and it's not two years yet. However, SRT does not lower the IGF-1 produced
Click to expand...
This is a good point by Wendy. The SRT is not really a full cure. And with Leo, his issue with his front legs and the odd walking gait has gotten worse in the last 6 months.

It is very unfortunate, but we know with our Acro kittehs that we have to give them 18 years of loving in a shorter time period. I have always felt the brightest candles burned the quickest, and that's how we think of Leo.
 
Bronx's dad said:
He was too young to have that arthritic gait. I just shrugged it off as getting arthritis early and started turmeric thinking that is all he needed.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but what’s the alternative? Being a hypochondriac and freaking out over every symptom? My sister is like that, and he pets have been through a lot of unnecessary tests, and causes everyone a lot of stress. She called me hysterical the other day because her cat has been drooling for the last few days. (It went away with antibiotics and nausea medicine.) .... yeah.

Since anxiety runs in my family, and particularly since cats tend to be really anxious in unfamiliar situations, I actually think a “less is more” approach is better than being overly worried and paranoid.

I’ve gotten more laid back over the years. It took me a while to get Frosty’s vomiting addressed, and once we started him on meds for it, he went downhill and died after 5 weeks. Before that he would bounce back within a day or 2 with no intervention. Sometimes I wonder if I should have just let him vomit once every couple of weeks and maybe he would still be here.

My civvie has had a lipoma on her leg for the past year or 2 and its gotten bigger. They did a fine needle aspiration and said yeah it looks like fat cells. But it’s grown and I think I should probably address it soon, but I’ve been putting it off. It doesn’t seem to bother her and I honestly don’t wanna put her through vet visits and surgery right now. It will be super stressful and what if something goes wrong? Idk...

I think you did the best you could in the situation at that time. I bet if you took him to the vet they would have said “yep, arthritis” and tried to treat conservatively in the beginning too. No one wants to do an invasive and expensive test every time. At first you treat conservatively with some pain meds or whatever , and then if it worsens or doesn’t go away you start the million dollar workup.

Anyway, that’s how I look at it. I think you did everything right.
 
Is the vet sure that Bronx's flat-footedness in the left front paw is neuropathy and not carpal hyperextension? I'm curious because Brownie is flat-footed in the front paws, but I'm almost 100% certain it's carpal hyperextension.
 
Casey Warner said:
Is the vet sure that Bronx's flat-footedness in the left front paw is neuropathy and not carpal hyperextension? I'm curious because Brownie is flat-footed in the front paws, but I'm almost 100% certain it's carpal hyperextension.
Click to expand...

Now. Y'see. I thought it looked & sounded just that way & posted as such. It's just that one paw but the other front leg has an unusual stance which is due to the acro I believe.

I suppose time will tell given the B12.
 
Casey Warner said:
Is the vet sure that Bronx's flat-footedness in the left front paw is neuropathy and not carpal hyperextension? I'm curious because Brownie is flat-footed in the front paws, but I'm almost 100% certain it's carpal hyperextension.
Click to expand...
PussCatPrince - GA said:
Now. Y'see. I thought it looked & sounded just that way & posted as such. It's just that one paw but the other front leg has an unusual stance which is due to the acro I believe. I suppose time will tell given the B12.
Click to expand...

https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/carpal-hyperextension

He does show these symptoms, only option they say is surgery to fuse the joint if it is carpal hyperextension and not neuropahy :(. I will see how/if the B-12/Gaba works and reevaluate. I asked Bronx what he thinks, he said he don't want no surgery and is just peachy layin' on his heated bed :)

20181028_100224.jpg
 
Bronx's dad said:
he said he don't want no surgery and is just peachy layin' on his heated bed :)
Click to expand...
I agree with Bronx :bighug:
@Bronx's dad, when @Sue and Luci, suggested to me- put some rice in a sock, heat in the microwave to warm Nelli ears before I poke, she also went on to tell me that she rubs the warm rice filled sock on Luci body and it makes her feel really good. I am now doing this with Nelli- she has lots of arthritis and really really likes me rubbing the warm sock full of rice up and down her spine and up and down her legs :cat:.
I’ve been thinking about Bronx liking this too :cat:?!
 
Bronx's dad said:
https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/carpal-hyperextension

He does show these symptoms, only option they say is surgery to fuse the joint if it is carpal hyperextension and not neuropahy :(. I will see how/if the B-12/Gaba works and reevaluate. I asked Bronx what he thinks, he said he don't want no surgery and is just peachy layin' on his heated bed :)

View attachment 39976
Click to expand...

Quality link there.
I don't blame Bronx. I wouldn't either.

All hopes for neuropathy and that B12/Gaba picks this up in no time at all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top