Help! Constipation + weak hind legs & falling over

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Robin & Ed

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Ed (16?) Has been a diet controlled diabetic for 4-5 years now. I actually only had to change his diet and give him one shot of insulin before he regulated which was amazing. Since Ed has been controlled he has always suffered from bouts of constipation which I used to treat with lactulose and now I just use milk and pumpkin when it arises. I should mention that he has ployuria also which I always thought was just part of being diabetic even though he was controlled. He's been pretty healthy for the most part over the past 4 years but I haven't taken him in for testing as I was dealing with another sick feline that I ended up losing early this year.

The other day I came home and found him wobbling and walking funny. It appeared that his right leg was hard for him to walk on or giving out and he would just kind of fall down onto his right side. I'm not sure if he was purposely doing that or if his leg was giving out. He was also a lot more vocal than he usually is. Couple hours later he was fine and then started doing it again briefly.

Luckily my downstairs neighbour had his veterinarian mother over so I took him down for examination. Of course he was now walking fine and she said he looked good except that his thyroid glands were very pronounced and she suspected he had hyperthyroidism. She said the weak legs and falling over was probably due to a heart rush or whatever that cats with HT experience but suggested I bring him in the next day for testing.

That night and the next day he appeared to be fine. I took him in for blood work and urine analysis and the vet told me she would call me the next day with results and treatment options. Two days have gone by and no call.

This morning I wake up and he's digging to china in his litter box, so I know he's most likely constipated again. Only this time, he's making strange meows and his back leg is all wobbly and hes limping and falling onto his right side. Seems like he's in pain or is wondering what the heck is going on. Right away I check his glucose levels which were normal and I saw him urinate so I know he's not having bladder issues. This has been going on all day now and I can't seem to get him to stand up for longer than a minute. I got him to eat a little bit this morning, he seems interested but doesn't want to stand up.

I'm really concerned with this legs not working for him. I called the vet and was told I would be called back later today and I'm still sitting here waiting. Right now he's sleeping beside me and seems ok, but I know he's not.

Has anyone ever had this happen before? I don't think I want to take him to emergency but I'm not sure what to do?
 
Many people use miralax in meals to keep their cats regular plus add extra water to the wet food. I don't think pumpkin is going to be enough.

If you are not getting info from the vet, call the vet again and again until you get the results.
Be sure to ask about the hind legs, if need B12 or something, plus ask about the HT possibility.
 
I would take him in where ever you can find an opening. He needs to be seen asap. Thats what I would do. Good luck hoping for the best for you and Ed.
jeanne
 
The problem is the particular doctor I was seeing is only in the office on Wednesdays for some reason and is hard to get a hold of. Plus I just tried calling back and now they are closed. Lovely. I suppose it's off to the emergency then...

I havn't checked his blood pressure today no, but he was checked on Wednesday and she said blood pressure was fine and that he had a very mild murmur that shouldn't be causing any issues. I'm now wondering after everything I've read if I'm dealing with heart or neurological problems :( Poor guy!
 
The falling over worries me and I would take him in immediately also. I would not take no for an answer. I would make sure I got the results and that he was examined right away. He is old and there is no telling what is going on. It might be a simple neuropathy and constipation problem which would require miralax and methyl B12 or it could be something more. Because of his age, I would not wait. I would find someone open today to look at him.

My Racci will sometimes lay down in her litter because she is tired of struggling and her neuropathy hurts but she does not fall over. I keep her on miralax in her water bowls and that has helped enormously. The methyl B12 has helped her neuropathy but not enough to make me happy but she is extremely hard to regulate and hopefully it will get better if she ever really gets regulated. She had good and bad days. What you are describing sounds like an emergency situation.

Melanie & Racci
 
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