My 15 year old cat suddenly lost the use of his back legs

My 15 year old cat Shadow was just using his litter box 5 minutes ago and seemed to be standing oddly. When he got out his back legs went all wobbly and he just lost the use of them. Any clues on what would cause this?

Could be a stroke. The thing to do is take him to the vet right now, without delay. All paws crossed for Shadow.

It might be a saddle thrombus due to cardiac problems. He needs a vet ASAP.

Cats that have formed a saddle thrombus typically appear paralyzed, unable to move the rear legs. They are often vocalizing due to severe pain. When touched, the back legs are often cold and stiff, and sometimes there is panting and trouble breathing.

Due to the time sensitive nature of the irreversible consequences of saddle thrombus, as well as the severe pain that saddle thrombus causes, it is strongly recommended that one seek immediate veterinary care for one's cat if saddle thrombus is suspected.

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Arterial Thromboembolism

If saddle thrombosis, he will likely be in horrible pain.  I agree, get him to the vet ASAP!!!

Any update?

I'd like to know the outcome too!  First thought in my mind was a stroke.  Hope that baby is doing okay! 
 

Hi, last year I went on a trip for a couple days leaving a friend to watch my cat. When I came home my 16 year old cat walked out to greet me and her back legs spread out to the sides like she had no control of them. I took her to the vet and they did an x-ray. They couldn't say for sure but think she may have suffered a strain,  x-rays showed spinal osteoarthritis in last lumbar/sacrum area. She was given a corticosterioid shot and her legs were back to normal. No issues a year later. Maybe your cat suffered a strain? Wishing him well! Keep us posted.

Sorry to take so long to reply to you lovely people! Shadow made a remarkable recovery. It is all a bit strange - he went all wobbly in the back legs and could hardly stand and 15 minutes later he vomitted up his dinner (and I suspect he had stolen some of the other cats dinner too!) and within a couple of minutes he was back to normal. He has been fine since, no change to his habits and no wobbly legs!!!

Thankyou for your support and advice but at this stage, I think we have avoided a trip to the vet.

P.S. I had a 17 year old who suffered a stroke back in 2009 and with a lot of tlc and nursing she lived another 6 months comfortably and passed quietly lying in the sun.

That's great news!!! WTG, Shadow!

MaverickMills, while I'm happy to hear that Shadow appears to have 'recovered' quickly, if that had happened here with (quite a) senior cat, I wouldn't be leaving it at that, and I would want to (at the very least) have him undergo a full senior exam with appropriate bloodwork and urinanalysis. At his age, full yearly exams and less extensive exams at 6 month intervals are the standard nowadays.

I was going to send you some information earlier, but it appeared that you might not be returning to the forum.

I will send you a message with that information now....it may help should you wish to follow up on what may have occurred.

Or it could spinal trama

Mr Wiskers said:

 
Or it could spinal trama

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@Mr Wiskers   This thread is 2 years old......