4 month old kitties not using hind legs..Help!

pixiepark

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Hello everyone! My name is Sylvia and I'm the proud new mommy of 4 month old American Bobtails, Maddox and Delilah. I brought them home the end of September and they were doing fine.

However, just last week Maddox started not walking on his hind legs and just hobbling around. Then just last night Delilah started doing the same thing! They are eating and drinking and even hobbling to their litter box.

What could be wrong?

I apologize if this topic has been brought up before. I'm just really worried about them.
 

shorty14788

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I would take them to the vet right away..

That happened to one of my cats... We never really found out what was wrong, but later he was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta. (Not saying thats what is wrong with your babies since it is a VERY rare disease) but you never know. I would certainly have them checked out to make sure there isn't anything seriously wrong.
 
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pixiepark

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Of course! I'm taking them tomorrow. I just wanted to ask someone what they thought because I'm totally stressing out! LOL. And I couldn't sleep a wink last night.
 

epona

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Have they had any other symptoms? It's odd that they would both start doing it. If they've had cold/flu like symptoms I'd guess feline calcivirus (seems to be especially popular around autumn and spring) as it can cause temporary arthritis, especially in young cats. If not, I'd be worried that they'd gotten into something toxic that had affected their nervous systems, which is a much more worrying thought. If trauma were the cause then it would be a huge coincidence for both of them to be affected the same way like this. I know that some tail-less/short-tailed cats can get spinal arthritis problems but it's usually later in life as far as I know, and again odd that both would be affected the same within a day of each other.

Good luck at the vet, let us know how it goes - given the possible alternatives, I will have my fingers crossed for a mild case of calcivirus rather than anything worse.
 

gardenandcats

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Glad to hear they are going into the vets. If they get worse I would seek immediate help!..You haven't used any flea treatments on them have you ?Like any Hartz products if so that could do it. They didn't happen to get into any non food items and eat it that could be causing this?
 

epona

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Originally Posted by gardenandcats

Glad to hear they are going into the vets. If they get worse I would seek immediate help!..You haven't used any flea treatments on them have you ?Like any Hartz products if so that could do it. They didn't happen to get into any non food items and eat it that could be causing this?
Excellent point, OTC flea products and worming products could cause symptoms like that, especially in kittens as it is easy to administer too much.
 
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pixiepark

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Originally Posted by Epona

Have they had any other symptoms? It's odd that they would both start doing it. If they've had cold/flu like symptoms I'd guess feline calcivirus (seems to be especially popular around autumn and spring) as it can cause temporary arthritis, especially in young cats. If not, I'd be worried that they'd gotten into something toxic that had affected their nervous systems, which is a much more worrying thought. If trauma were the cause then it would be a huge coincidence for both of them to be affected the same way like this. I know that some tail-less/short-tailed cats can get spinal arthritis problems but it's usually later in life as far as I know, and again odd that both would be affected the same within a day of each other.

Good luck at the vet, let us know how it goes - given the possible alternatives, I will have my fingers crossed for a mild case of calcivirus rather than anything worse.
No...they haven't had any other symptoms. The only other thing I can think of is they have not been de-wormed yet...and this past week they've had tape worm and I heard that if the worms get too big and gross it'd make them uncomfortable...but like I said...they're still hobbling into their litter box which is weird...and I know nothing can be broken cause they try to get around...just not very well. Poor things.

Ya...and I'm hoping it's nothing too serious. Thanks.
 
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pixiepark

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Originally Posted by gardenandcats

Glad to hear they are going into the vets. If they get worse I would seek immediate help!..You haven't used any flea treatments on them have you ?Like any Hartz products if so that could do it. They didn't happen to get into any non food items and eat it that could be causing this?
No.. I think they're still too young for that stuff right? They do have fleas though which is probably why they have tape worm. I did catch Maddox eating some cake that I had thrown away...little booger tore right through the garbage bag. LOL. I don't think that would be it...could it? Delilah didnt get into it though. As for non food items...I'm not too sure. Eeks!
 

goldenkitty45

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Did you get these kittens from a good breeder? If so, have you contacted the breeder and asked about this problem? Is there any guarentee in the contract (if from a breeder) about genetic problems?
 

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Hope all went well at the vet and that you have good news? Have you noticed that they seem to tilt in one direction or another? Earlier this year Shelly's back legs stopped working properly, and while he didn't do the symptom of walking in circles, he did kind of keep heading in one direction. By the time we got him to the vet he was fine again. But apparently it could have been something called August Disease - another name for "Idiopathic vestibular disease" - something that is diagnosed only from symptoms and is self-limiting - it lasts 2 - 6 weeks. Here's a link: http://www.bobmckee.com/Client%2...in%20Cats.html

Because Shelly's cleared up so quickly - a few days - they suspect it was a parasite. Maybe he ate a bug or something, but he isn't allowed outside, so we have no idea where it would have come from. But apparently some types parasitic problems can cause this (like cryptosporidia, sometimes found in water).

Laurie
 
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pixiepark

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So the visit to the vet did not go as well as I'd hoped. The vet said that she has never seen anything like this in 2 kittens and she said it probably has a lot to do with the fact that they are bobtails. Anywho...to make a long story short...She thinks its either a bacterial infection or something neurological..and since I didn't have $800 for all the appropriate testing...she has started them on anti-biotics and if that doesn't work then they will have to be put on cortisone (sp?)...And if that doesn't work then we have to take them to a neurological specialist.

It was so heartbreaking to hear! I almost cried! So hopefully the anti-biotics will work. If not...I guess I have to start saving cause a neurological specialist sounds expensive. LOL.

Thanks guys for all your advice, support and concern. I really appreciate it.


I'll keep you guys posted.
 

momto3cats

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I hope they get better soon. Please do let the breeder know (assuming you bought them from a breeder). If it's genetic, she needs to know so as to try to avoid producing more kittens with this problem.
 

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You must be out of our mind with worry.

I will keep Maddox and Delilah in my prayers as you move forward with this.
Please keep us updated.
Maddox and Delilah
 
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pixiepark

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Just got back from the vet....Very bad news.....

They were both seen by 3 doctors and they all agreed that this is probably a neurological problem with both and its not looking good at all....

She put them on anti-inflammatory (sp?) pills and gave them a 5% chance of working....She also said all three doctors agreed that if these new pills dont work then its in the cats' best interest to put them down....We have to follow up with the doctor on thursday.

I can't stop crying...thi is just the worst news...EVER!
 

xocats

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I am so sorry.

Hopefully with will turn around.
Many vibes coming your way.
 
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pixiepark

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Well...despite all of our efforts...Maddox didn't make it. My b/f called right when I was leaving work and he said that Maddox was lifeless and he wasn't moving. My b/f even tried to give him CPR and he just stopped breathing.

But on a lighter note...Delilah is trying to use her hind legs again...so hopefully she will pull through.

RIP Maddox


I can't believe I can even type right now...I think I'm having a panic attack.
 

shorty14788

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I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose a kitty. I just lost mine this past march. Just try to take comfort in the fact that he is running and playing now at the rainbow bridge and when the day comes, you will see him again. Little Maddox and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Keep us updated on how your other one is doing. I will keep praying for her and sending vibes your way that she pulls through all of this.
 

missymotus

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I'm sorry for you loss
Please do let your breeder know what happened.
 
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