cat having leg issues

wiz71

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Smokey is a 17.5 year old male cat. Last week he was eating and he looked like he was having trouble standing. We took him yo the vet and they found a big infection on his front leg. It exploded with two teaspoons of pus ran out. The vet checked his blood and all looked pretty good. Just dehydrated and a bit of a low temp. He got meds for his leg and we took him home. He had been eating like a horse only if I hold him up. He stretches all four legs but really can't stand on them. Not sure what's going one...please help.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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I think this is something you definitely need to discuss again with your Vet, since he is already being treated.  What did they tell you when this was discovered.  Is he on antibiotics?  Is the only issue that he can't put pressure on that one leg?  Did the Vet say it was an abscess and to put warm compresses on it or anything?  Does it  smell bad? 

I would just give the Vet a call and tell them what is going on and see what they say. 
 
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wiz71

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His wounded leg is getting better but he has limited movement on all his legs. Vet saw a lump on his leg and saws it feels like cancer. We now have to make him pee.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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So this "lump" is on a different leg?  When was this discovered?  During the initial visit or did you take him back in yesterday?  I think we need more clear information.  Does he just appear to be weak in all of his legs, mainly his hind legs, or what?  Is he still eating well, is he still drinking well, peeing and pooping (whether or not you have to set him in his box)/  Have his normal habits changed much?  Is he sleeping all the time?   Does he seem to be in pain?  Are you giving him any medication?  What is the size of the lump, and what is it like?  Sometimes cats get weakness in their legs due to certain mineral deficiencies.  What do you feed him? 
 
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wiz71

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here is a more complete update.his left front leg is lame because he was hit by a car when he was one year old his right front leg was the strongest leg in the front. His left rear leg was also crushed by the car and he has a plate in it. His right rear is the one that has the lump on the knee joint. Vet says it has grown some in the past week. Vet said it looks like cancer cause his leg is turning inward. Now he cannot pee unless we press his bladder. He still has a great attitude and loves to eat. Its so sad he cannot even stand up.
 
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wiz71

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The lump is about the size of a nickel. He sleeps normal and loves attention and kisses. His eyes are wide open too. He appears to be in no pain. We are feeding him food from the vet. CD canned food
 

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Hi-

This happened to my cat Jill almost two years ago.  They would up doing a fine needle aspirate of the lump and it did turn out to be cancer (osteosarcome, bone cancer).  The lump was on her toe actually and she wound up having her toe amputated.  However six months later the cancer spread in her leg and she had her leg amputated followed by chemotherapy.  It's now been 15 months since her leg was amputated and she is doing fantastic.

I would ask the vet about doing a needle aspirate to see if cancer cells are present.

I hope this helps - please let me know if you have any questions at all!!!
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you  Wow!  So which front leg had the infection in it....left or right?  And is it ok now?   And has he ever been able to use his left legs or put any weight on them? 


Is the bladder issue new?  If he is on C/D food, he's probably had urinary issues in the past, but maybe you are pressing on his bladder simply because you don't know when he "needs to go", so you simply put him in the box and press on his bladder when YOU think it's time?  I mean, since he can't get up, I'm guessing there is no other way for him to let you know he needs to go, huh?

I know it's hard to think about, but at this point, what is his quality of life?  He doesn't know or understand what is happening to him
.   Certainly you can continue as you are doing, but is that what's right for him?  Does he seem happy?  Only YOU know , because you know your cat.  Maybe it would help you if you looked at this quality of life scale:   http://www.veterinarypracticenews.c...olumns/bond-beyond/quality-of-life-scale.aspx

Have you discussed options with your Vet?  Have they done a needle biopsy of the lump, or did you decide NO to, because what would you do if it IS cancer?  Have you had a honest discussion with your Vet?  I wish there was something we could do to help, but not sure there really is.  At this juncture, think you just need to listen to your Vet, your heart, and your beloved furbaby
 
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