Urgent!! Possible Neurological Problem (per Vet) Symptoms Include Front Leg Stiffness, Inability to

Hello,

My five and half year old male (he is neutered) cat, Jakey, was diagnosed with Stomatitis a couple of years ago and had most of his teeth pulled in July, 2014.  In October, 2014, he was having trouble urinating. X-rays showed possible formation of very small kidney stones. He was switched to a wet food diet, which seemed to resolved his urinary problems. He  stopped eating and began hiding approximately 6 weeks ago.  We took him to our Vet, his Stomatits had returned and was given an antibiotic and steroid shot.  He appeared to be much better when we brought him home, that lasted maybe two days before he stopped eating and began hiding again.  We brought him back to the Vet, he was dehydrated, and constipated; laxatives and IV fluids were given at the Vet (he stayed there for a few hours).  X-Rays were also taken along with blood tests.  

His X-rays (bladder, kidneys and spine) were normal. His blood tests did not reveal any abnormalities with his organs, however the Vet did say his blood tests indicated he has a weakened immune system.  He was taken back to the Vet a third time because he still was not eating and hiding. Another trip to the Vet, he cold not find anything wrong, and determined his lack of eating and hiding was "probably a behavioral problem".  He finally began eating, but was still hiding.  He began walking very low to the ground. within a few days, he could hardly walk.

This last Sunday, February 16, we called a new Vet, that was recommended to us and brought him in to be hospitalized. We gave the new Vet all his records from the previous Vet. He is still "hospitalized".  New X-rays show no bladder stones, and no abnormalities.  All blood tests (Kidney, liver, FIP, etc) are negative.  Yesterday, the Vet told us he brought him out on the lawn (this Vet runs his clinic adjacent to his home) and advised us his front legs are now stiff and he his pupils are now uneven.  He believes our Jakey has a neurological problem.  If ANYONE has any idea what type of neurological problem would cause these symptoms, I would be very grateful for any insight, or suggestions.  At this point, we are probably close to 3K in Vet costs.  A neurological work up would include an MRI, which is very expensive, and if it is something that is degenerative, I do not want to put Jakey through the stress of more tests, which needless to say, will be very expensive.

Thank you in advance for any advice, ideas, etc. anyone may offer.  We are now having to contemplate putting our Jakey, who is only five and half years old out of his misery.  Thank you again.

Has the vet brought up the possibility of dry FIP?  It can't be conclusively diagnosed but there are some blood test results that are highly suggestive of dry FIP.  Dry FIP often is many different symptoms over time the kitty is just continuously unwell and some kitties do develop neurological symptoms.

Thank you very much for your reply.  I asked the Vet about FIP; he had tested Jakey for FIP, and it was negative.  What is the difference between FIP and "Dry FIP"?  Is there a specific test for dry FIP?  Thank you so much.

Hi Denice,

I forgot to ask, how is dry FIP treated?

http://www.lbah.com/word/feline-infectious-peritonitis/   is a good article on FIP.   It is a mutation of the coronavirus, if your kitty tested negative for the corana virus then he doesn't have FIP .  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2748294/  is more technical and goes into the blood test results that are indicative of FIP, if your kitty doesn't have the antibodies to the corana virus than he doesn't have FIP.

Kitties with the 'wet' form have dramatic fluid build up in their abdomen and chest and advances quickly.  The dry form advances slower with a number of different and varying illnesses and symptoms.  Unfortunately there is no cure.

Thank you Denice.  I called the Vet last night; after scouring the net for info on feline neurological problems, and also thought FIP seemed to fit, given history of stomatitis, etc., and he told me he did test Jakey for FIP, and it was negative.  I will check the link you just provided.  Thank you very much. It is extremely frustrating to see your kitty go downhill so quickly, and the Vet(s) cannot find anything wrong ((  The Vet also said in addition to being neurological, he thought it was also viral.  Thank you again.

I'm so glad you saw a different vet. Hiding & not eating are not behavioral problems.   Did you kitty have a fall or accident recently?

Yes, I am glad also.  The last time I spoke to our regular/old Vet, all he could say was that he could not find anything wrong (therefore it must be a behavioral issue).  This vet took him in on a Sunday, and just because he cannot find the problem, he is still trying to find out what is wrong; he can see that there is a definite problem.  Our cats are strictly indoor. I did not see or hear him fall, and I do not think he had an accident.  When all of this first started, he did something odd; he was out on the couch,  and his "brother" Benji, jumped up to be with him.  They are normally very close, when Benji did this, Jakey hissed and pawed at Benji for about 30 seconds.  This was totally out of character for Jakey.  He is the sweetest and non-confrontational cat. I have never seen him act like that before.  Benji is a big (15lb) Orange Tabby male, and when he gets worked up, he starts playing pretty rough with Jakey.  At the time, we wondered if Benji had somehow hurt him. 

I tried look for any sore parts on Jakey, and I could not find an area that was painful to touch.  So to answer your question, I did not see or hear anything happen, and there is not anywhere in the house that he could really fall from.  The Vet did take X-rays of his spine, and found no abnormalities.  Thank you for your reply.

Is you vet looking into the possibility of a stroke?  I was just wondering because of the uneven pupils & the walking problems.  I don't believe these are detected with an MRI but maybe they are.

Thank you for reminding me; I went to see Jakey today, and talk to the Vet.  I forgot to ask about that... As I mentioned, it started with him not eating, and hiding in the closet or under the bed...today, after holding Jakey for a while, we put him down on the ground. Now, he cannot even right himself to sit or stand up.  Forget walking.  I do not know if a stroke would cause him to slowly lose more and more muscle/motor function.  I was expecting to maybe have to put him down today.  On one hand, the Vet says he thinks it is neurological and expensive tests (2K +?) would be necessary to properly diagnose a condition which likely cannot be treated.  On the other hand, Jakey was very alert, and he said he is not ready to give up on him.  He is going to treat him with more prednisone and vitamin B-12.  He also wants to consult a Neurologist.  If there is no improvement in the next few days it may be time to let him go.  He has no quality of life right now.  I will ask him tomorrow about the possibility of a stroke.

Have they tested for a fungal issue...my cat was diagnosed with cryptococcus and it seriously affected her central nervous system, the way she was walking (falling over,couldnt walk straight) and also had loss of appetite. Not sure if this helps but i guess its worth looking into. It did start with a stuffy nose and sneezing...not sure if ur cat had any respiratory issues at any point though.

UPDATE

I have been too upset to post an update, so please excuse my delay.  Jakey had been at the vets for a few days when I wrote my original post.  Our vet determined he had lesions on his spine that was causing the paralysis, he could not find what was causing the lesions; he ran numerous tests, all came back negative. He consulted a Veterinary Neurologist.  After discussing the tests that had already been run, both agreed the only way to determine the cause of the lesion was an MRI ($3,000).  Our vet explained that if an MRI was the only way to determine what the cause of the lesions were (likely tumor) this was something that could not be treated or cured. Jakey was a rescue kitty when he was adopted.  He had numerous health problems from the time he was a kitty (he was always taken to the vet and treated).  Jakey's health issues seemed to be getting worse; the issue was not about the cost of the MRI, it  was about delaying the inevitable.  We went to visit Jakey a couple of times, his sweet personality was intact, however watching him struggle trying to turnover or right himself was heartbreaking. He was unable to urinate or defecate on his own. Our vet did not want to give up on him because Jakey did not look like he wanted to give up; throughout his stay at the vet's, he always maintained his sweet and loving disposition to all that interacted with him. He was given steroid shots, which did not help either.  We made the heartbreaking decision that it was his time to pass the Rainbow Bridge, which he did, on March 1, 2015; he was only five and a half years old.

Thank you.

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I am very sorry for your loss of your Jakey.He is at the bridge now.Healthy,no pain & sunshine all around.He'll be there waiting for you when it is your time.Hugs during this very trying time.hugs.C.

I'm very sorry for your loss.  You did the right thing by him, no doubts.  Great photos.

Sorry, hug your other kitties and remember him fondly![emoji]10084[/emoji]️[emoji]128062[/emoji]

The TCS team would like you to know that we are so very sorry for your loss. Threads are locked after someone has suffered such a loss, as a sign of respect. We invite you to place a tribute at http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge as an enduring testimony to your friend.

Rest in peace Jakey.