Hind leg problems.

Hello, new to the site, and seeking advice.  We recently took in a kitten, he is roughly 5 months.  Last week he lost the ability to use his hind legs, we think something may have fallen on him.  But when he took him to the vet, there was no breaking or fractures in his back.

When you squeeze the legs, he doesn't react to pain, but the legs do move, perhaps a reflex.  The tail does the same as the legs. I went to two different vets, one told me with just looking at him to put him down.  It did not go well.  The second vet did the same, but I did demanded tests be done.  Blood work all came back negative, and the x-rays showed nothing wrong.

I've gotten him medicine that helps with nerve repair and the betterment of muscles etc.  Antibiotics as well.  I'm also having to express him, but his bow movement seems perfect. 

My question is if anyone has had similar issues with their kitties, and what was done to help them.  Exercises and other physical therapy?  He is very young, my hope is that as he grows, his body will try to fix the problem.  After the tests the second vet told be there was a 10-20% chance he could walk again. 

Thank you for your time.

I am so sorry that you and your kitten are going through this. It sounds like you love the little guy a lot. From your description, it sounds like it could have been an embolism. I don't really know what to suggest, but I really hope he recovers.

Here's a thread with some similar experiences. http://www.thecatsite.com/t/75254/cat-devolops-paralysis-in-hind-legs-practically-overnight

Hi,

I actually signed up to this site to reply to your post. We had the very same problem with our 4 month old cat. It started with a gait and it got progressively worse up to the point when she was dragging her body across the floor. We were desperate for answers at the time and very worried. The vets run lots of tests, all came back normal. They tried steroids and cannot tell if they worked or if things got better naturally but she was back within 2 weeks. Not sure if it helps but my girl is a Savannah, her mom apparently had a similar issue at a similar age, what sort of kitty is yours?

I hope it helps and most of all I hope it gives you hope. 

Sorry for the late response been real busy.  The kitten is a DSH.  He is white and has blue eyes.  The vet said that he is most likely deaf, very common on that type of cat.  He still can not walk, I'm having to express him still, and his bow is still working correctly.  He seems to be in no pain, he is scheduled for more tests tomorrow.

I don't know if its progress, but when u squeeze the legs, he moves them back and then forward now.  And some times the legs twitch, perhaps nerves trying to send signals.

Hi Pedro! Thank you for rescuing your new kitten and I am sorry he has this new and startling condition. Ask your vet about the possibility of it being Cerebellar Hypoplasia. http://www.catcustomer.com/veterinary/cerebellar_hypoplasia.htm Just doing a search on TCS brings up quite a few other members who have a cat with this condition, some seem to have it more mildly and others more intense. Not sure on this, but certainly ask your vet. Your kitten sounds so very sweet and I hope everything turns out alright. :cross:

Just come across your thread seeing it in recent posts. It must have been so worrying to see your kitten suddenly loose the power in his legs, and he is so lucky to have a home with people who care as much as you do who want to do everything you can to help him.  If I understand correctly, Cerebellar Hyperplasia would be present from birth, rather like Cerebral Palsy in people, and this does not sound like the case with your kitten?  I wonder if there is any possibility that there has been some other cause of nerve damage, whether there has been some other kind of trauma, or if there is a viral cause?  If you are seeing some change in your kitten's hind legs and think some feeling or power is returning it may be worth continuing to stimulate them and keep doing this as long as it does not cause him any distress or pain. You could try moving his hind legs, maybe with you laying with him on the floor or with him on your lap and if he is relaxed gently straightening and then bending his legs and mimicking gentle walking/cycling movements, and stroke his hind legs with your hands. It might work well if you have him laying on your lap head towards your body and hind legs/tail at your knees as your thighs will help to keep his spine held straight and feel safer for him.  Be gentle, move slowly, and do not do anything that seems to make him frightened or uncomfortable. Hopefully he will experience contact as comforting and play. Keep asking your vet, and watch for any signs of change.  I am willing your little kitten to get back to health but I have never experienced anything like this in kittens before.

Well, we went for another check up today and some other tests.  It was determined he does not have thrombosis or diabetes.  More X-Rays were done, and again all were negative for the most part, but the vet said that he felt a vertebrate near the shoulders might have air pockets.  So the X-Rays will now be going to a radiologist to get a clear determination.  Another thing that was determined was that the spinal cord was not severed, I don't know how exactly they found out, but it was relieve.  Some time next week when I have more money, and depending on what the radiologist says, we will go in for more tests.

On his hind legs, his claws do no retract,  he still needs to be expressed, but he goes number two without problems.  We will be looking for a food that makes his feces hard for cleanliness purposes.

Good news is that his legs show movement they twitch, and if you squeeze them they retract may still be a reflex.  But before when you squeezed he wouldn't look at you, and now he seems to know his foot is being touched because he looks at you.  Also his tail has been moving too, very little but moving nonetheless.

l wanted to pop into your thread and give you a little hope. A friend of mine bought a very expensive purebred cat who developed the same problem in the hind legs at 6 months old. They were calling him Mister Noodle   He took the kitty to a feline neurologist after x-rays and ultrasounds and a barrage of vet tests. He had no reflexes at all. Euthanization was never mentioned, although there was no treatment, it was a wait and see scenario.  lt was deemed a "neurological incident" after nothing showed up as a cause. He was full on paralysed for about a week, then slowly started with a bit of back leg movement, until finally after 3 months of slow improvement he was completely back to normal.

When I was a kid there was a kitten who got bit on the neck or back by a tomcat who killed the rest of the kittens in that litter,   only little Butch survived but he was paralyzed in back. he  did not have an open wound but the bite had caused nerve damage.   We had no clue what to do but we did try massaging and  doing physical therapy, just moving his legs ,  stretching them,  making bicycle motions etc.   and he did get better gradually and ended up being able to walk and even eventually run , though he was sort of stiff in one back leg and his tail was sort of held at an odd angle.   He actually lived into his teens which is pretty good for a barn cat especially one that got injured like that as a baby. 

I  don't know what is wrong with your kitten but i thought i would at least tell you  i know of one that recovered.   

 I pray your kitten will be able to get better.   I'm glad he is with a family who loves him. 

You might try some methylcobalamin.  (Methyl-B12).  it's a form of Vitamin B12 that works on the nervous system.   I know of it being used to help diabetic cats with nerve damage in the legs  but I have heard it can also be helpful for nerve damage from injury.      I http://www.ilifelink.com/zobaline-for_diabetic_cats-3_mg_x_60_tablets.html?af=Zobaline

It is good that the vet is looking in to things thoroughly, and asking for specialist advice.  I also think it is good that you see some change and think your kitten may be feeling a bit more when you touch his paws and legs.  Keep touching and stroking him, and touching and moving his paws and see if you notice anything more.  His claws will probably not be retracting as he is not using the muscles needed for this so if you see any change with how his holding his claws this would also be good. Do take hope from Maewkaew, and try to enjoy some relaxation with your kitten as this will really help all of you through such a stressful time.  The B 12 sounds like a very sensible idea.

Sad news friends.  Everything had been going was going well the last couple of day.  Pippin had been using more of his legs, even to the point of spreading his paws.  His tail moved more and more.  Everything was pointing to a gradual recovery.  But my heart sank when I awoke this morning, everything seemed normal, Pippin ate and took his medicine very well.  But roughly 10mins after eating, he started to cry, I hadn't expressed him yet so I figured he needed that.  So I went to express him, and it all went fine.  So then I started to massage his legs, and thats when I noticed he had lost all feeling.  The legs would simply flop, devastation.  About 5 minutes later he started to go number 2, and he kept going for like 10mins to the point where a clear mucus was coming out.

After that we immediately took him to the emergency vet, and at the vet they were able calm him down.  I left him there for observation, I had to work, can not miss right have to cover his care.  After work I receive a call that he is refusing to eat and drinking water.  He became real lethargic.  And another problem arose, his anus refuses to close...  I stayed with him for a couple of hours.  Debating many things, and praying.  And even crying quit alot something i seldom do.

I don't have any friends with cats, and this is the only place I can vent and seek advice.  When I head there in the morning, I'm going to ask them to keep him  longer and for them to help him.  If nothing can be done I may contemplate for him to be put down.  I don't want to, I want him to live, but I also don't want him to suffer.

A part of me feels extremely guilty.  He was stray when we took him in, and the only reason we know his age because of the vet.  The guilt comes from the thought that something in my house may have caused his problems.  I welcomed him to my house to give a better life, and now this...  I feel like I betrayed him.  Like he may have thoughts of you should have left me in the street...

Sorry for my ramblings, Its just over the three months I've had him, I have grown so attached to him.  He is my copilot, sits next to my mouse when I at my desk.

I'm so sorry to hear that he's had such a setback. Mega that the vet can help him and he pulls through!

I am so sorry your little kitten's health has got worse and will be hoping that your vet is able to do something to help him. Please, please do not think that this can be anything you have done. You took this little cat in from the street, the vets told you they did not think it was a fracture and even if it was these things happen to cats all the time no matter how safe we try to keep them. If your kitten was still on the street when he became unwell he would not have survived long at all. He has been in a loving home, been cared for and kept fed and warm. He has had kindness and comfort that he would not have known in the street and he will see you as the person who has given all these good things to him.  If it were not for you he would not be receiving care from the vet now and any chance for survival is down to your kindness.  

I will be hoping he is showing improvement by the morning. If you do have to make a decision  for his future, remember that so many of us have had to do this, and it is always hard: if you love your cat then you will think of any level of pain they may be in and their quality of life.  Listen to what the vet says to you, and if you are able to see your little cat and can see how he looks at you then you will probably know what your cat would want.  Then what ever your decision it will be the right one for you and your cat. And of course, if you need support then people here on this site will be there for you.

I will be thinking of you and your kitten and hoping for a happier post when we hear from you next.

Thank you all for the advice, and the well wishes, it was a great help for me.  But unfortunately my lil guy passed today.   The last couple of days he had gotten better, and yesterday he ate very well.  The vet even told me that his hind legs had feeling again.  But then this morning they called telling me that he was having convulsions and that it was time to say goodbye.  He was medicated with pain medicine so I hope he did not suffer.  I will miss him dearly, the three I had with him, I will cherish until the day I pass. 

Thank you all.

I am so sorry to hear about Pippin. You gave him the very special gift of 3 months friendship, love and care in a  furever home.  You did everything you could for him and it sounds like Pippin also had the luck of a caring vet.  Believe that he is no longer struggling or in pain and I am sure he will be watching over you like a little white angel, living on in your heart.  So many of us on this site have felt the pain of loosing our feline companions and are here to share your pain if this helps you.