Cat with Weak Hind Legs, Spot on Lung

Short version: Fog, a 15 year old neutered male DSH has a mild case of pancreatitis late in September. Over the last week his hind legs, especially left leg, have become weak. Upon X-ray today, vet found spot on his left lung.

Long version: Fog is an indoor / outdoor cat. Goes out after breakfast, comes in for lunch and stays in until the next day. On Friday, Sept 24 he did not come in, would sit on the deck, hide under the deck, just did not look "right." Did not eat, since I do not feed him outdoors. Finally came in about 8:30 p.m.

Called vet, brought him in on Saturday, Sept. 25. No fever. She drew blood, gave subQ fluids, send him home. If his numbers were bad she would call me on Sunday.

Absent a call on Sunday I brought him in on Monday, Sept 27. Amylase a little high, call it a mild case of pancreatitis. He got a shot of Covenia, gave 100 ml subQ fluids, and sent home with carafate.

After he hid in basement all day Monday, once found I kept him isolated in guest bedroom. He ate O.K. (never been a greedy eater.) He seemed a little weak in his hind legs but I thought between where he wedged himself in basement and tucked away in bedroom, he might have sprained something.

However he was noticeably weaker in his hind legs over the weekend - rather than jump up on bed he would stretch up and haul himself up. When he walks (very little) he leaves his hind leg out as if he was stretching, then brings it forward at last moment. Called vet on Monday morning. Called again in afternoon and brought him in this morning (Tuesday.)

She took several X-rays. His spine is fine, as is his pelvis / hips and his knees.

But when reviewing the overall side view she noticed a spot on his left lung, fairly deep, too deep to aspirate. Vet thinks it is either a touch of aspirational pneumonia. Or a tumor. Gave him a B12 injection to keep his appetite up, and sent him home with doxycycline (in case it in pneumonia) and prednisolone to ease his hind legs. She said something about shrinking the tumor, if that's what it is and I understood her correctly.

Fog is eating well, looks good, does walk to where his food and water is, uses the littler pan. But my sweet boy is otherwise unwilling to walk. Will happily lay in my lap while I read a book but doesn't shift position. No idea what's wrong, nor does my vet have an "Aha! It is XXX and we treat thus and so."

I'm to call tomorrow and bring him in on Saturday. It's raining / drizzling here in NJ, and cool. I went out and bought him a heating pad.

Meanwhile, his sister, Mist, is having a great time being a semi-only cat.


Not looking so much for answers, as just need to tell what's happening because I'm really worried about my sweet cat. Thanks for reading this.

I haven't experienced anything like this, but I read your post and wanted to send warm wishes to you and Fog. I hope you get more information (and better news) when you go back to the vet on Saturday.

I really appreciate your kind thoughts, motoko9. Fog is such a sweet cat. Good wishes help us both.

Happy news this morning! While still as wobbly as a drunken sailor Fog's gait is noticeably improved! Happy, happy!

I put a wooden box in the room so he could step up onto the bed. And he was scratching his cheek on the corner and purring, you know how they do. First time I've seen him do something like that in several days.

Definite improvements and it's not even 24 hours since he started on the new meds.

Keep those good vibes coming! I'm sure they help.

Will send positive vibes your way!

If the lameness continues, ask your vet to check for a heart murmor. There is a heart condition that can cause thrombosis in a cat and it very often affects the mobility in their hind legs. You wouldn't find this in an xray. Since he seems a bit better, he could have just taken a bad landing in a jump and just needed time to recover.

Thank you for the good wishes momofmany. Are you thinking of saddle thrombosis as a possible cause of Fog's problem? My vet said "No" for that as he's not paralyzed, crying out in pain and his legs aren't cold.

Bad landing from a jump or wrenched his leg were my first thoughts also. But it doesn't seem quite right for that. Whatever, he's doing much better today. Still wobbling but not as severely, and actually willing to stagger over to me when I call to him.

Good thing he's easy to pill as he gets this huge (for a cat) doxycyxline capsule every morning, and the prenisolone every evening for two weeks.

The heating pad was useless, as in the interests of safety all "modern" heating pads turn off after 60 minutes. You have to turn the switch to the off position, then on again. What a waste, will return it to Wal-mart.

Instead we're using a seed starting mat under a towel. Stays at about 10 or 15 degrees above ambient temperature, only 17 watts so not a huge energy sucker. Fog loves it! My husband spread a lap robe over the edge of the bed against the wall so Fog has a nice cozy little hiding place with bottom heat.

Thanks to all of you for the good wishes. I'm sure the vibes are helping.

Well, it doesn't look great.

On the up side - he's not in pain, has control and is both urinating and defecating, eats well, loves to be loved on and purrs, purrs, purrs.

On the downside - his left hind leg is still weak, maybe weaker. I think his tail may be affected too, seems very limp. He chirps in protest when picked up but stops immediately when in your lap. He got stuck in the litter pan yesterday evening, sitting right on his bum with his legs out in front and his tail straight behind him. (My husband has cut down a short side of the littler pan so he can get in and out more readily.)

Fog is spending his days curled up on the towel covered, mildly warm seed starting mat in a 12 inch gap between the bed and the wall.

We go to see the vet this afternoon. Prayers and good wishes for my sweet boy.