My cat has started walking funny

purrkitty002

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Messages
3
Purraise
0
My cat has started walking funny today.  He seemed fine, his normal happy verbal self last night when I went to bed.  Today we went to the vet and bloodwork was normal for him, he recently was diagnosed with kidney disease.  He seems to walk fine on his front legs but the back legs seem weak or painful and he wobbles the hips when he walks now.  He doesnt seem to want to stand or walk far.  At the vet he didnt meow or react when they checked his spine, legs and hips.  He is currently 15/16 years old.
 

mrsgreenjeens

Every Life Should Have Nine Cats
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
16,390
Purraise
7,127
Location
Arizona
How is he today?  I wonder if something might have happened while you were at the Vet's office.  Did they take him in the back office to draw blood? And did they do it before the spinal exam, or after?   Maybe he squirmed and they had to hold him down or something and he pulled a muscle or something?  You might give them a call and tell them what is happening and see what they say, since it's awfully coincidental.  At least then they can offer some advise as to what you might do to help him, like apply heat, or ice, or whatever they  might tell you. 

that he's back to his normal self now!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

purrkitty002

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Messages
3
Purraise
0
He's still not quite right, now he walks to one side.  As for the vet Im sorry there was confusion. I took him to the vet because of the walking funny.
 

drbobcat

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 16, 2012
Messages
103
Purraise
14
Aortic thromboembolism is an extreme possibility and not really feasible unless the cat is in at least moderate pain.  A routine exam might not pick up this condition, but others in the know can respond better  on the subject.  In this malady, a clot blocks blood flow to the rear legs.  The cat can experience great pain and drag its rear legs around.  It's a really nasty condition that is likely to recur even if treated effectively, often resulting in euthanasia.  Watch for any expressions of pain. 
 

mrsgreenjeens

Every Life Should Have Nine Cats
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
16,390
Purraise
7,127
Location
Arizona
Yes, sorry I didn't understand that you saw the Vet because of this issue.  I agree with DrBobCat, this could be saddle thrombosis, which is a fancy way of saying a blood clot.  Did your Vet check his heart?  I know there is a blood test now that can help detect heart issues, and usually it is a heart issue that causes these blood clots (or so I have read).  If this was not discussed, you might want to call your Vet and ask about it, as it can cause EXCRUCIATING pain, if that's what it is. 

I don't want to scare you, but also don't want your furbaby to be suffering. 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

purrkitty002

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Messages
3
Purraise
0
she did mention a clot could be the cause but she didnt feel it was likely.  and for more background information he goes have a murmur but we arent sure if its from age or congenital.

The vet said she believed it was arthritis but she wasnt sure.  He seems to be doing better.  Despite our efforts to not let him walk up stairs or jump he does it when we arent paying attention or sleeping.  He's walking straighter today, still not 100%, and his legs seem to either get tired faster/are still mildly painful which Im assessing purely because he doesnt stand as long now and instead ops to sit.  Im hoping based on his improvement with our attempts to limit activity in such a short time he might have just hurt himself jumping.
 
Top