My cat has weakness in her legs, and spasms.

Puffy is over 10 years old. I recently moved from carpet to hardwood floors, which was an adjustment for jumping. A short time after moving Puffy began hiding all the time, and when she would come out, she seemed to be sort of crouching close to the ground. At first I thought she was still just adjusting to the new place, but I took her to the vet, and it turned out she got fleas during the move, and was allergic. I told the vet about the strange walking, and that I was concerned that she may have also injured herself adjusting to the new floors. He didn't find any injury and said it just seemed a little tight or stiff, maybe arthritis. I contributed this to her being curled up hiding all the time. I treated her for the fleas, and soon she was back to her old social, happy self...except her back legs have still seemed weak. I thought she was getting better, but the last week actually seemed to get worse. I've already made an appointment for the vet, but yesterday, I heard some noise, and thought my other cat was hassling her, and went to break it up. It was just her, sitting on the floor, kicking and kicking, but getting nowhere, she got under the bed, but it seemed like she was still kicking her legs. I thought something had just spooked her, but now am thinking it was more like a spasm, as she did something similar last night, and today with her neck.... These are strictly indoor cats. I'd just like to get as much info as I can before we get to the vet.

Hi PuffyCat

A vet would be a very good idea - and so you get the most knowledge, I'd see a feline specialist.  Quickly.

I'm not really experienced in these symptoms, so hopefully someone with more experience can suggest some ideas as background prep for seeing the vet.

The only suspicions that come to my mind are: fleas (reacting to severe fleas caused my childhood cat to get patchy fur, become very lethargic and weak.  He lay down most of the time, I think, like tick reactions, he could have died if the vet hadn't twigged to it).  Ticks can cause weakness and paralysis and sicken the cat to death- swiftly.  Taurine deficiency will cause muscle weakness such that legs don't work properly and the cat cant lift its head - again, it will result in death if left undiagnosed and untreated (and pet food has a history of taurine deficiency and has killed thousands.  Also the use of sulphites as preservatives strips the taurine from the food, and from the food already ingested).

Please make that appointment...

Is she still doing this?  I know it's the weekend, so wondering if you were able to get her to the Vet.

I'm sorry, I really don't know what this might be, but is it possible it's a seizure?  Here is an article concerning seizures in cats:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/seizures-in-cats

Whatever it is, I hope you and your Vet can figure it out and resolve it.  Keep us posted. 

Thanks for the advice, and the link. All of her blood work shows excellent health. The vet said its something spinal, most likely just due to her old age. (I've had her over ten years, but she was full grown when she came into my life, so i'm not sure how old she is) And even if it could be diagnosed by an MRI, there's not really much solution for spinal problems. He prescribed an oral liqid cortizone to help with possible inflammation, and just getting her on a diet thats high in anti-oxidants, and supplements to promote nerve health. If the seizures get worse, we can giver her anti seizure meds. He said it could be something that comes and goes, or gets worse, or stays the same. She seems happy otherwise, so for now we're just going to spoil her, and love her and hope for the best.

Oh, ok, seizures.  This is super interesting reading from others who have gone through the vets, and finally found a solution:

http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/idiopathic-seizure-disorder-could-it-be-grains-and-fat/21137

It's good to know it's not a deadly something you are racing the clock on.  Hopefully you can find some help for it.

Thank you so much for this link. Its very helpful, and promising info. Doing research, we've found several article that are saying the same kind of things. We've already started switching her food over to Blue Buffalo, which is packed with antioxidants, and we bought some microalgae based omega 3-DHA supplements. We started on her two week small daily dose of predisolone. Hopefully, the meds will bring down the inflamation in her spine, and from there we can keep it in check with a super good diet. (Our theory is inflamation on her spine was putting pressure on her spinal chord, or something like that, causing the seizures) After reading that link, we definitely have hope. Her seizures already seem to have stopped, and she seems a bit better, definitely not worse. Thanks again for the links!

My sweet princess

Fantastic!