Leg Cramps or Spasms

My 4 yo spayed female cat has had 2 separate episodes -- one in May and now again over the last 2 weeks...she has what appear to be spasms/cramps in her legs -- causing them to become stiff (only 1 at a time -- not all of them at once). She cries out and tries to walk, but can't or she limps. Then, after the cramp is gone, she can walk again. In May, she was in her pet carrier going to the Vet for annual vax, and too much acceleration caused the carrier to roll over. That weekend was when these symptoms first appeared, but they were completely gone by Monday. This time, I can only think of one thing...I pulled her out from under the bed by her arms to put her on some warm clothes out of the dryer -- she loves that. But, she resisted, and "to the life of me" I don't know why, but I persisted. She did go to sleep on the clothes and seemed fine -- until several days later. This is when the cramps/spasms began again and this time they have been going on for 2 weeks. Went to the Vet and he took xrays -- no bony problems noted. He could hear a "clicking" noise in her right shoulder and thinks it could be a ligament problem. He suggested trying Rimadyl injections and if no improvement...he recommends going to LSU Vet Medical School for MRI for further diagnosis.
If any one has any similar experience, please write. It is breaking my heart to see her like this and I am feeling SO GUILTY that I could have been the cause. Am having trouble sleeping...my cats are my kids -- my husband and I have no children.

Please help.

Hi, this is the first time I've found a cat that sounds like it's experiencing what my cat is. Can you tell me more about what's happened to your cat? I don't think you are the cause of the problems.

I put her on Cosequin for cats ---www.entirelypets.com has the cheapest price.  She has not had another episode and is doing great.  This can be neuro or an injury, etc.  So don't try to diagnose it yourself  --- bring to the Vet for thorough exam.  Good luck!

My 10 year old male Bengal cat has starting having 'episodes'.  He will limp/crawl because either a hind leg or his front leg stops working.  It only lasts for a moment and only happens once a week or so.  It's so random, we haven't determined a cause, but seems to be when he's excited/scared/startled, but not every time he's alarmed (Bengals are often).  At this point it appears like a muscle issue.  Any suggestions would be appreciated since I don't know if its a cramp, or something entirely different going on.  He doesn't cry, so doesn't seem to cause pain, but makes him helpless for a few minutes.

My Cat also experienced a front leg cramp and within 15/minutes both hind legs collapsed, she recovered but some weakness remains.

I took her to the Vet and her blood test revealed Hyperthyroidism, which can affect the heart.  She also received a Ultra Sound exam of her heart and the left side shows her heart muscle is thickened.

A thickened heart muscle usually prevents proper blood flow and that prevents proper oxygen to the body which can especially affect the legs to cramp, collapse or even become paralyzed.  Any of these conditions also can occur as a result of a blood clot due to the heart malfunction.  The clot can lodge in any part of the body and cause a leg to cramp or hind legs to collapse, or that the Cat begins a severe limp or begins to drag the hind leg(s).  The clot interrupts circulation and that's why the occurrence of the cramp, collapse or dragging.

This type of clotting is commonly  called saddle thrombus; google this on Internet and get the whole story, also the Intrnet will give you the official medical name.

I took my cat to two Vets and the one that gave her the heart Ultra Sound test disclosed the heart condition but did not feel her collapse really came from her heart condition; but I think it did because even though she is now on Prescription Cat food to hopefully treat her Hyperthyroidism and stop the present excreting of excess Thyroid hormones ( which the Vet said could also do a positive remedy on the heart).  However, presently after a month and a half since her initial legs collapse she is starting to get hind leg weakness AND I WORRY THAT THE COLLAPSE WILL RETURN OR HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN RESOLVED.

The Cardiology Vet said to take the Cat  to another Vet who specializes in Internal Medicine and perhaps get an Ultra Sound of her stomach, but I will first insist the Vet review her for possibility that there is a blood clot somewhere, like I've read on saddle thrombus that it could be lodged between her hind legs and causing poor circulation and the weakness I'm starting to observe.  I also notice she's starting to walk bow legged as if something is between her hind legs.  

Hi 10Patrice,

I recently thought my cat had saddle thrombus & whilst researching I realised there's lots of people that loose cats, usually very suddenly to this blood clot situation & vets opt to put the cats down. I found a site http://www.thearmstrongfoundation.org & http://www.treatcatsbloodclots.com 

Both sites discuss alternatives to just putting cats down - one is about an enzyme that dissolves blood cots in cats & the armstrong site talks about Lovenox & another drug to help.

It's worth looking into these alternatives or contacting the women that run the sites as vets can sometimes have set ideas about dealing with animals with this condition.

I hope this helps & good look with your cat.

Dale