13 year old cat suddenly started stumbling

kiwifruit

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Hi :)

We've had our cat for over 11 years now - not sure exactly how old she is but I think it's about 13. We've never had any problems with her. She was fine today, and then suddenly I noticed that her walk wasn't normal. Her left rear leg was splayed a little to the side, and she was moving it in a funny circular motion while walking. Then the same happened with her right rear leg. Then her fore legs went funny too, as if she was drunk or very dizzy. She was stumbling around, her legs crossing over each other, having a hard time balancing. Then she lay down for half a minute, got up, stumbled again, lay down again. Then she went outside, was just sitting on the path like usual, except that her left fore leg wasn't sitting right - the ankle was turned in a little.

After that she ran back inside, her walk was fine and she's been behaving perfectly normally. Aside from that sudden onset of stumbling, I can't tell anything unusual.

Has anyone else had something similar happen with their cat/knows what might be going on?
 

stephanietx

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This requires a trip to the vet.  She could be having a stroke or seizure and needs to be evaluated.
 
 

simka

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These are serious symptoms and must be evaluated by a vet. Be a good guardian to your cat who has never caused you any problems before and take her in for a professional examination. As stephanietx said, it sounds like a stroke or seizure, in which case more could follow unless she is given the help she needs.
 
 

barbb

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She should go to the vet immediately, she could have ingested something toxic or she could be having a stroke or heart attack. 

Just yesterday I talked to my friend who told me her beloved pug dog died. The day before they noticed her walking funny and falling over but then the dog was normal. The next day she collapsed and they took her to ER where their pet died in their arms, heart attack. 
 
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kiwifruit

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Thanks for all your replies. I would absolutely love for her to see a vet, but so far I haven't been able to persuade my parents to take her. I've been trying to think of anything she might have eaten, but I'm pretty sure she had been inside for quite a while before she had her episode, so I can't think of anything toxic she might have ingested. We did suspect it might be a stroke.

I'll keep trying, but I talked to mum about it and she said that if it is a stroke the vet wouldn't be able to tell from just an external examination, so there's nothing they'd be able to do for her without doing hundreds of dollars worth of tests which we can't pay for.
 
 

simka

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You are using "mum" and not "mom" so can we assume you are in the U.K.?  Have you tried the sticky thread listed at the top of the Cat Health Page and titled "when you can't afford a vet"? The second posting on that thread has links for people in the U.K. including contacting the PDSA. I think your cat deserves one trip to the vet, even if you can't afford tests or treatment. The vet might be able to tell you what other symptoms to look out for. You could get some idea of how sick she is. I don't like to think of her begging to go out only to disappear because she's crawled away to die alone.
 
 
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kiwifruit

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Hi Simka,

I'm actually in New Zealand but I'll have a look at that thread anyway to see if I can find anything helpful. Thanks for your advice. I'll keep trying to get her there.
 
 

simka

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Of course, "Kiwifruit", I didn't think!

I know it's hard to be in your position, trying to persuade a parent. I think one of the reasons I go into debt so frequently to take care of my cats is remembering the ones who didn't get vet care when I was growing up.
 

barbb

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http://www.knowyourcat.info/health/stroke.htm

I'm not suggesting this link is the answer or that it is better than taking your cat to the vet, but maybe do some more research online to see what other possible problems your cats symptoms could be and be sure to keep an eye on your kitty for any other signs.

I also agree with the other poster, not to let your cat wander too far away out of your sight during this time. Keep her inside. And maybe you can just do a consult with a vet and limit the testing, let the vet know in advance your limitations as far as how much you are willing to pay. I'm sure they will do what they can within the monetary limitations.
 
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kiwifruit

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I managed to persuade Mum to take Pussy to the vet today, which I'm very glad about!

The vet says that her temperature, heart, breathing are all fine, and she's not showing any signs of neurological damage. Possibly a little bowel thickening. He said she's quite thin, but she's always been a very small cat and she eats heaps. Mum wouldn't let them do any further tests, but I'm glad that she's been checked out and everything is fine as far as the vet could tell. Now I guess we just watch her to make sure nothing goes wrong!

I was interested though that every time we let her outside today she went straight to this patch of newly grown grass - made me wonder if she was trying to get something out of her system. Who knows.
 

ETA,  thanks blueyedgirl for your best wishes and for that link, Barb.
 
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