I have taken in a stray cat who was in bad shape. He had a horrible flea infestation (that's been resolved, thank goodness) and was incredibly skinny. When I picked him up, it felt like I was picking up a furry pillow. He's already had an initial vet check up, been dewormed, etc. He weighed only 6.3 pounds--I guess he ought to weigh 10.
I've noticed since I took him in that his back legs are weak. He walks normally (though a little gingerly), but has trouble jumping into a chair. Through google, I connected this to a possible symptom of diabetes. I've been keeping him to just canned food ever since, and this has definitely decreased his water intake (he was drinking a ton of water at first, but he was also very dehydrated, so who knows?).
He goes back to the vet on Wednesday for removal of bad teeth and his shots, and I will definitely have him tested for diabetes.
Has anyone ever had a cat with weak back legs due to other causes? Like malnutrition? Or old age? The vet thought he was pretty old.
Also, for those with diabetic cats whose back legs were mildly affected, did their legs improve with proper diet/treatment?
Thanks--you all have provided me with a lot of good advice already (I'm quite the lurker).
I've noticed since I took him in that his back legs are weak. He walks normally (though a little gingerly), but has trouble jumping into a chair. Through google, I connected this to a possible symptom of diabetes. I've been keeping him to just canned food ever since, and this has definitely decreased his water intake (he was drinking a ton of water at first, but he was also very dehydrated, so who knows?).
He goes back to the vet on Wednesday for removal of bad teeth and his shots, and I will definitely have him tested for diabetes.
Has anyone ever had a cat with weak back legs due to other causes? Like malnutrition? Or old age? The vet thought he was pretty old.
Also, for those with diabetic cats whose back legs were mildly affected, did their legs improve with proper diet/treatment?
Thanks--you all have provided me with a lot of good advice already (I'm quite the lurker).