ADVICE!!! Extreme weakness in back legs

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Kot

Kot

Member Since 2013
A couple of days ago (right after we came back from a 3 day trip - a sitter was taking care of insulin and sub-q fluids) Bailey developed an extreme weakness in back legs. To the point of partial paralysis. Progressed from wobbling to falling down on his side over one and a half days. Vet came yesterday, gave a shot of antibiotic and a shot of steroid. He also expressed Bailey's bladder because it was very full and cat did not go pee for about 8-9 hours. Bailey continues to purr, eats and drinks on his own (quite good appetite). Today: pretty much no change, still extremely weak back legs, cat falls down if tries to walk (but he is not walking on his hocks), good appetite, pees on his own (though sometimes just under himself when he lies down), seems content to be around us, does not hide, no vocalization other then ask for food.

Any one had this happen with your cat? I really hope he can recover... I give him B12 with food twice a day.
 
Did the vet mention that his back legs felt cold? Any talk of a blood clot? Could be diabetic neuropathy but it sounds very sudden in onset. I'd call the vet and ask for more info.
 
Kot said:
Bailey developed an extreme weakness in back legs. To the point of partial paralysis. Progressed from wobbling to falling down on his side over one and a half days. Vet came yesterday, gave a shot of antibiotic and a shot of steroid. He also expressed Bailey's bladder because it was very full and cat did not go pee for about 8-9 hours.
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With those clinical signs, if it were my cat I think that I'd be looking for more than antibiotic and steroid jabs. At absolute minimum I'd get potassium levels checked urgently (can cause weakness). What you describe sounds fairly serious.

Looking at your spreadsheet Bailey has recently had a number of VERY low hypo events (. It is rather unclear from your spreadsheet and signature info which insulin(s) you're using and how.

Is there any chance Bailey could have had a bad hypo episode? Or a bad fall?

Could you get a second opinion from a different vet? If it were my cat and if my own vet didn't very quickly come up with a solid explanation of reason for symptoms and a treatment plan I would be looking for a referral to a specialist (orthopaedic? neurological?) - especially with the bladder-emptying issue/inability to walk properly.

For general info, insulin helps drive potassium out of the bloodstream and into the cells. If Bailey did have a bad hypo I wonder whether his potassium levels might go too low. (This is me brainstorming here: I haven't a clue what might be causing Bailey's adverse clinical signs.)

Hopefully other members will be able to offer better information or suggestions. I hope Bailey gets better soon. :bighug:


Mogs
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I have no idea what could have caused sudden onset of what sounds like extreme weakness or partial paralysis but I would consider it to be a medical emergency whether kitty is still purring, eating etc or not. There are a number of things that could be causing the problem other than those mentioned above ( blood clot or low potassium levels) including kidney, cardiac, thyroid, spinal, some infections, inflammation of muscles and/or nerves or even a tick bite and I'm sure there are more.

Is he actually using the litter box? Your description of him wetting himself suggests he may not be peeing but rather having overflow from a full bladder he cannot empty.

I strongly urge you to take your cat to the vet ASAP.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Did the vet mention that his back legs felt cold? Any talk of a blood clot? Could be diabetic neuropathy but it sounds very sudden in onset. I'd call the vet and ask for more info.
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The very first thing our vet suggested when I called him to make an appointment is a blood clot. When he came to examine Bailey last afternoon he said that it does not look like a blood clot : first, Bailey's feet are warm; second, Bailey can move his back legs/feet and has not lost sensitivity in his feet.
Vet's best guess was too much toxins accumulated in cat's body, especially since he did not pee his usual share.
 
Critter Mom said:
With those clinical signs, if it were my cat I think that I'd be looking for more than antibiotic and steroid jabs. At absolute minimum I'd get potassium levels checked urgently (can cause weakness). What you describe sounds fairly serious.

Looking at your spreadsheet Bailey has recently had a number of VERY low hypo events (. It is rather unclear from your spreadsheet and signature info which insulin(s) you're using and how.

Is there any chance Bailey could have had a bad hypo episode? Or a bad fall?

Could you get a second opinion from a different vet? If it were my cat and if my own vet didn't very quickly come up with a solid explanation of reason for symptoms and a treatment plan I would be looking for a referral to a specialist (orthopaedic? neurological?) - especially with the bladder-emptying issue/inability to walk properly.

For general info, insulin helps drive potassium out of the bloodstream and into the cells. If Bailey did have a bad hypo I wonder whether his potassium levels might go too low. (This is me brainstorming here: I haven't a clue what might be causing Bailey's adverse clinical signs.)

Hopefully other members will be able to offer better information or suggestions. I hope Bailey gets better soon. :bighug:


Mogs
.
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Bailey did have quite a few hypo episodes but I am pretty positive it was not that. He is always very insistent about asking for food when he feels his numbers are dropping. Additionally, even when he dipped to "25"-reading all he showed was "GIVE me my FOOD". He bounces back with food very fast (which makes it hard to manage his numbers) so I am rarely add any Kyro/honey to his food even when he has very low reading.

I need to ask vet for the blood test - potassium and such. Will do it tomorrow.

Different vet: I have already changed vets three times for Bailey and the vet we have now is the most trustworthy as far as I can see. Vets before him insisted I had to put the cat down and would not accept I can do some home monitoring and testing, etc.

We use Lantus, 0.75 U twice a day. Tried 0.5 U because of low/hypo episodes but it does not seem to work for him.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
I have no idea what could have caused sudden onset of what sounds like extreme weakness or partial paralysis but I would consider it to be a medical emergency whether kitty is still purring, eating etc or not. There are a number of things that could be causing the problem other than those mentioned above ( blood clot or low potassium levels) including kidney, cardiac, thyroid, spinal, some infections, inflammation of muscles and/or nerves or even a tick bite and I'm sure there are more.

Is he actually using the litter box? Your description of him wetting himself suggests he may not be peeing but rather having overflow from a full bladder he cannot empty.

I strongly urge you to take your cat to the vet ASAP.[/Q

Bailey has Kidney Failure and I get him sub-q fluids every day to flush out toxins. His heart and blood pressure were good at last check up. I will talk to my vet tomorrow about doing a blood test. Was wondering: what if he ate some bad can of cat food? Would botulism toxin have this effect?

Bailey used his litter box today (once without me and once with my help of stroking his belly) and he also peed under himself once - so I would think there is no blockage there. He did not have bowel movement for two days though and I am going to get him some Miralax.
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I would make sure by your vet it is okay to give him the Miralax.
Why did you not reduce his dose when he got the 25? And did you give him his regular dose with a pre-test of 25? :nailbiting: I would have been testing every 15 minutes if my cat tested 25 and I would have skipped that dose for sure. I'm not trying to upset you, just asking the reason.
 
I agree with the vet that this could be worsening of his CRF and the toxins are not being cleared from his system. Even with the SubQ fluids you are giving he still may not be getting enough fluids to flush his system well enough. I still don't understand why the vet gave an antibiotic and steroid if he suspects a toxin buildup! Sounds like he may need IV fluids. Does his breath smell off? Any ulcers on this gums or tongue?
 
Dyana said:
I would make sure by your vet it is okay to give him the Miralax.
Why did you not reduce his dose when he got the 25? And did you give him his regular dose with a pre-test of 25? :nailbiting: I would have been testing every 15 minutes if my cat tested 25 and I would have skipped that dose for sure. I'm not trying to upset you, just asking the reason.
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I always check and re-check after feeding him when he gets low PS readings. Never shoot until I see a steady rise and he is above 150 (as a rule).
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
I agree with the vet that this could be worsening of his CRF and the toxins are not being cleared from his system. Even with the SubQ fluids you are giving he still may not be getting enough fluids to flush his system well enough. I still don't understand why the vet gave an antibiotic and steroid if he suspects a toxin buildup! Sounds like he may need IV fluids. Does his breath smell off? Any ulcers on this gums or tongue?
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No bad smell from his mouth (well, his breath always smells like fish leftovers - his teeth are not pretty..), at least not like acetone or anything weird. No ulcers. For IV fluids I would need to take him to an emergency clinic and leave him there for a day at least - that would definitely do him in :(
 
Kot said:
that would definitely do him in :(
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I hear ya! I have an old fart that goes ballistic at the vet's and has always had to be sedated. At his age and with his temperament I don't take him in unless it's absolutely necessary. Perhaps the amount/frequency of subQ fluids you give could be increased?
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
I hear ya! I have an old fart that goes ballistic at the vet's and has always had to be sedated. At his age and with his temperament I don't take him in unless it's absolutely necessary. Perhaps the amount/frequency of subQ fluids you give could be increased?
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Yes, I agree. I usually give him 100 ml at night but started today 50ml in the morning and 100ml at night for a few days - will see if that makes a difference.
 
This story makes me nervous.
You dont know what happened in those 3 days you were away.
I'd be looking into more tests. How about an xray or something? I'm thinking spinal injury, i dont know.

If i came home after being away for a bit and my cat had a new and serious symptom, even if someone i fully trusted had been taking care of him, i'd be looking very hard for the cause.

Again, i am very anxious about your cat's situation. I hope you get him more thoroughly checked out.
 
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