My cat has lost function of her hind end

After giving birth to her kittens who are now 13 days old, Jade slowly began losing functiob on her back legs. I took her into the vet thinking it must be a pinched nerve. So far she is on clindamyacin, Ca. D+ (liquid), and steroids. Because of the meds, I am having to bottle feed her 3 babies and still have not seen an improvement. In fact, I think she is moving around less. I am taking her back in tomorrow, to a different vet.... but windering if anyone has experienced this before?

Oh, that's a tough one. I've never dealt with this before.

Did the vet take an XRay or do blood work? Did the vet take the pulse on her legs? I'm not a cat health expert but personally I'd worry about a saddle thrombosis, although if she's not in pain it doesn't quite fit that, either.... My other worry is if she broke her hip or something similar during the birth. I know this can happen in humans, but in cats...???

Has it gotten steadily worse? Are her back feel cold? Can she move her tail, how is she peeing and pooping?

I'm sorry you're in this boat, your cat and her kittens too. How are the kittens doing?

1The kittens are doing well. We have not had xrays yet, but did an ultra sound and her tummy does look fine. She has feeling in her back legs and tail, she is eating, drinking well, pooping and peeing still, her blood work came back good but low normal for ca. They didn't check her active calcium though. Her feet are not cold. She doesn't really seem to be in pain persay...but cats are good at hiding things like that. Her balance is poor and she is moving around less and less.... I am stumped, stressed and sad. She is only a year old, beautiful seal point siamese. No temp, got vitals...

trblu said:

1The kittens are doing well. We have not had xrays yet, but did an ultra sound and her tummy does look fine. She has feeling in her back legs and tail, she is eating, drinking well, pooping and peeing still, her blood work came back good but low normal for ca. They didn't check her active calcium though. Her feet are not cold. She doesn't really seem to be in pain persay...but cats are good at hiding things like that. Her balance is poor and she is moving around less and less.... I am stumped, stressed and sad. She is only a year old, beautiful seal point siamese. No temp, got vitals...

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when you say, '...but low normal for ca', are you referring to blood calcium level? please forgive my ignorance, but i just want to make sure i'm understanding correctly.

i'm going to add a couple links to an articles about 'milk fever' (eclampsia) in cats -- http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2139&aid=904 http://vetbook.org/wiki/cat/index.php/Milk_fever . this might be something to mention to your vet as a possibility. if i'm not mistaken, it's something that isn't seen very often (is rare) in cats, so not well known to most vets in relation to cats.

trblu, if this is eclampsia, (wow great eyeopener, mickNsnicks2mom!!), this is something your cat needs treated for quickly.

Keep us updated. I'm very concerned for your mama cat.

misterwhiskers said:

trblu, if this is eclampsia, (wow great eyeopener, mickNsnicks2mom!!), this is something your cat needs treated for quickly.

Keep us updated. I'm very concerned for your mama cat.

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the symptoms just 'fit' milk fever, which i knew can effect lactating cows. it's referred to as milk fever many times, though there isn't usually a fever with cows -- way back when, pretty much any illness was called 'fever'. after doing some research online, i found that though it's rare in cats it can happen.

@trblu -- please do keep us updated. if this is eclampsia, we'd love to hear that your momma cat was effectively treated and has recovered from it.

Yes it was blood calcium levels that were in the low normal range. She has been being treated by a vet, although I am taking her in to a new one tomorrow for a 2nd opinion. Basically they did diagnose her with hypocalcemia so that article was a good one. But they did not offer iv or injections. Only oral ca+. So I am frustrated about that. She is alert and talkative and eats her meds very well. I have been pumping a liquid ca + D into 3x per day.... and will be getting more blood work done tomorrow. I just feel I should see some improvement by now. I originally took her into the vet last Wed., again on Thurs and Fri., called and spoke with the new vet, verified they got her records and discussed tx for this weekend then I am bringing her into see them tomorrow. I am also very worried about her. And the kittens tummys seem to be large and harder then they were originally. 2 of them have pooped. I help them pee every time I feed them (every 3 hours) between the 3 of them they eat just over 2 tablespoons of kmr and I mixed the last batch (2 full 4tbs bottles full) with pedialyte rather then water.

And THANK YOU for your input! It is sooo hard to watch her go through this!

trblu said:

Yes it was blood calcium levels that were in the low normal range. She has been being treated by a vet, although I am taking her in to a new one tomorrow for a 2nd opinion. Basically they did diagnose her with hypocalcemia so that article was a good one. But they did not offer iv or injections. Only oral ca+. So I am frustrated about that. She is alert and talkative and eats her meds very well. I have been pumping a liquid ca + D into 3x per day.... and will be getting more blood work done tomorrow. I just feel I should see some improvement by now. I originally took her into the vet last Wed., again on Thurs and Fri., called and spoke with the new vet, verified they got her records and discussed tx for this weekend then I am bringing her into see them tomorrow. I am also very worried about her. And the kittens tummys seem to be large and harder then they were originally. 2 of them have pooped. I help them pee every time I feed them (every 3 hours) between the 3 of them they eat just over 2 tablespoons of kmr and I mixed the last batch (2 full 4tbs bottles full) with pedialyte rather then water.

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i would discuss these concerns with the vet you see tomorrow. i would ask the vet if you should be seeing some improvement by now. many of us find it very helpful in these kind of situations (where we're worried and have a lot going on) to write our questions down and bring that paper with us to a vet appointment. it's so easy not to remember things we wanted to ask or discuss with the vet.

i'll 'page' a kitten expert here at TCS, and ask for their input about the babies for you. @sarthur2, @StefanZ -- may i ask for your expertise for the OP (original poster) re the kittens? thank you!

i don't have experience with kittens this young, but have they been dewormed yet? i'm not sure they're old enough yet to be dewormed either, but the kitten experts will know that and should be along shortly.

Thank you! They have not been dewormed yet. I think they are to young but will ask tomorrow. (Boy they are cute!). They are doing very well.... but poor mamma! Who I love dearly! We moved from Wa. State to Arizona in May... she hasn't been the same since. She is not dehydrated, no temp... she is los8ng muscle mass in her hind end. She was taking very good care of her babies, but the meds she is on are not safe for nursing. And her best chance at recovering seemed to me to just focus on healing. I wish she could tell me what is wrong! I sure appreciate this group!

Oh and I am writing questions down for the vet. That was great advise as My head is swimming from lack of sleep, worry and research info!

Re the kittens, its probably best you start a tread specifically on them in the Preg&Kitten forum.   This way you get most and quickest answers...

What  kmr do you use?

Is the mom helping clean them?  Ie one of them didnt not poo, its possible mom ate it and you didnt noticed?  

If you think  it is a constipation, be sure the kitten  gets good fluids (perhaps a few drops inbetween the feedings.  To dilute the kmr a little extra helps too sometimes).  Next step is to add two-tree drops of some good oil, my favorites are coldpressed olive oil, or coldpressed rapeseed oil.  But probably almost any decent vegetable oil will do.

There are more steps in the algoritme, but we take them if they come.

Re bigger tummy,  simeticon is useful for distended tummies, its the same as for humane babies...(may have different local brandnames).  one or two drops in the bottle...

Re dewoming,    if they arent heavily infected, its no great hurry.   ow when they are beginning to be 2 weeks, they come into the zone when its possible to give them dewormer, if necessary.

Some mild pyrantel poamote-preparate is what is commonly used - Nemex2 is sold in USA, taking one example I know off.  We in Sweden use the Banminth.

Re the mom.  You got advices, and are to see the new vet.   I want to add, you can always massage her behind part and her back legs.  Making some gymnastics too, streching and so.  Calm, soft movements, so you dont risk to hurt her.  Do it preferably so she is warm, so perhaps rub up and down her legs at first, so they get warmer, and do this streching gymnasics first when she is prepared.

I think even its wise.  They do so on paralysed human patients too, so they wont lose too much of the muscle mass.   Also to keep going the blood in the veins of the legs.

End of this message.

T trblu

If you are concerned about constipation you can begin adding a few drops of olive or vegetable oil to the kittens' bottles. This usually helps to soften things.

A trick to help with elimination is to put the kitten's bottom under warm running water and gently tap the bum with your forefinger to help them go. Tummy rubs help too. Mom would normally be helping to stimulate them by licking their tummies and their bottoms.

Are you weighing the kittens daily? This is the best way to know if they are gaining weight. They should gain 6-10 grams per day. More is better.

The rule of thumb for feeding is 8 mL for every ounce of weight in a 24-hour period. So if a kitten weighs 12 ounces, they will need 96 mL of formula each 24 hours. If you feed every 4 hours, that means 16 mL per feeding, with six feedings in that period.

It is easier to feed on the hour - such as 8, 12, 4, 8, 12 and so on, beginning with the smallest kitten and starting again exactly on the hour with the smallest kitten again. You burp them by holding them in an upright position at your shoulder and patting gently on the back. Baby simethicone drops may also be used for gas.

If mama had no worms or fleas the kittens will likely be clear, and the round tummies are healthy to grow on!

You can also give your cat a dish of formula to drink. It contains excellent calcium, vitamins, and minerals.

I hope she soon regains her strength and gets well. This is an overall very stressful situation for you!

You can begin weaning the kittens between 3 and 4 weeks old. This would be a pate-like wet cat food mixed with KMR to make a mush. They will get this every 3-4 hours as well. Those who do not take to it immediately may stay on the bottle. You'll need a kitten litter box at this point as they will begin to have formed poops after starting solids.

Please let me know if you need more advice regarding your kittens!

@trblu -- just wanting to check on how your momma cat is doing? and the kittens? how are you holding up?

Mamma seemed to be doing better last night. The new vet increased her steroids and added gabapentin, which is a nerve medication. However today she seems to be the same. Hopefully over the next couple of days things will get better for her. Her calcium levels are now at the high/normal so I have stopped supplementing that. It is heart breaking....still.

Aww. Just can't imagine what brought this on so suddenly, but glad her calcium levels are back to normal and your vet is working with you so well. Poor mama!

How are the kittens doing? Is mom still licking and cuddling? Are they gaining weight and growing with the hand-feeding?

My cat is RECOVERING! Slowly...but steadily! Tue vet put her on steroids and gabapentin for about a week. She is now off the gabapentin and still on a high dose of steroid and probably will be for awhile before we start tapering down. But she is able to walk, trot, eat, pee, poop etc. Still a little wobbly, but getting better every day! My question now is.... can I allow the kittens to be with her and continue to bottle feed? It is not safe for them to nurse because of the steroids, but I believe her milk is all dried up. It would be great to let them learn to socialize and cuddle with her, let her stimulate their bowel/bladder etc. The kittens will be 4 weeks old on Monday.

trblu said:

My cat is RECOVERING! Slowly...but steadily! Tue vet put her on steroids and gabapentin for about a week. She is now off the gabapentin and still on a high dose of steroid and probably will be for awhile before we start tapering down. But she is able to walk, trot, eat, pee, poop etc. Still a little wobbly, but getting better every day! My question now is.... can I allow the kittens to be with her and continue to bottle feed? It is not safe for them to nurse because of the steroids, but I believe her milk is all dried up. It would be great to let them learn to socialize and cuddle with her, let her stimulate their bowel/bladder etc. The kittens will be 4 weeks old on Monday.

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oh, my! what truly wonderful news! 

I'd clear it with your vet first, letting the kittens be with momma cat again -- just to be on the safe side.

how long has it been since momma has nursed her kittens? knowing this should help to determine if momma's milk will have dried up by now.

Oooh and the funny thing is her voice....it has gotten sooo deep! Must be from the steroids? And the kittens will be 4 weeks old on Mon.