What could be the issue???

Status
Not open for further replies.

Little One

Member Since 2012
So Little one has been off insulin for several days now with reading in the normal to high normal range during that time. I noticed the first day or so he seemed very energetic again. In the last day or so I have noticed that he seems to be favoring his right leg again (something that he did early on) and seems to be lacking energy. He is still eating fine and his levels are still normal. Anybody have any idea what this could be? I know there is a condition in diabetic cats that caused issues with the back legs, but I can't seem to find what that condition is called and have no idea if that condition is something that could stick around with him even if he is not on insulin.

Please help.
 
Another thing that may be off is his potassium levels. I dealt with that for Months even after Bob went OTJ last year. Low potassium can cause overall muscle weekness, and Bob's back legs were what was affected the most. A simple blood test at the vet to check his levels of potassium might be a good idea. There are supplements you can give, but only if the vet determines he's "low", because high potassium can be just as bad.

Carl
 
Re: What could be the issue??? UPDATED

Neuropathy is what I was thinking of.

Tonight when we got home from work I found him in a cabinet in our laundry room. This was a hideout for him when he was not feeling well before. He has not been in there since his numbers regulated. This tells me that he is trying to tell me something. We tested his level about 30 mins ago and he was 95 so I know his BG is in normal range. He is really limping on his right back leg. I think he is lounging around just because he can't really move very well right now. He is still jumping up on things, but is struggling.

I would think if it was a potassium level issue, it would be both back legs and not just one??

Any other input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Not sure if neuropathy would only affect one leg either, but hopefully someone who has dealt with it can chime in? Are you positive that there isn't something wrong with the leg itself as far as an injury? Could he have hurt it jumping up or down from somewhere? The hiding could be due to pain? Any swelling around the paw, and does he let you touch the leg without getting belligerent?

Carl
 
This isn't the first time he has favored this leg. Before he was officially diagnosed he started limping on that leg, but it seemed to get better in a day or two. Once diagnosed he hypoed one time which affected his stability pretty badly. I would say he seemed week for a week to 10 days after that occured. He doesn't seem to mind me felling around on that leg. I have tried to feel up in the hip area, the knee and the paw area and nothing seems to bother him.
 
I would definitely get him checked out at the vet--I am tending to think that this isn't neuropathy, but maybe arthritis (how old is he?) or an injury, or perhaps potassium levels as Carl suggests (I don't have experience with that, though). Diabetic Neuropathy occurs when a cat's extended high blood glucose causes nerve damage, and Little One hasn't had numbers nearly high enough to cause neuropathy since the middle of August.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top