Hind quarters pain and questions

woodfiend

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  We have a fun quirky cat who is about 9 years old.   She has exhibited pain or problems in her rear hindquarters the last 6 months or so.    She typically only wants attention when she decides and so we didn't notice it right away (our other 17 year old cat is a total lap cat).     When we noticed some strange movements in her rear legs and her not appreciating being touched we took her in to our vet.   They did a number of tests including an x ray and the diagnosis was she had bone spurs ( I was not convinced) but my wife took her for numerous laser therapy treatments and we added Dasaquin to her food.   

    She seemed okay for a while and we did notice a few instances when she seemed to be in pain but they were infrequent Well today she seems to be in extreme pain again.   She avoided being touched all day and would slink away if you came close to her.   She tried to jump up to sit on my lap later in the day but when she hunched back to leap she meowed in pain and started to back away like she was surprised by the pain and didn't try to jump up.    Now she is hissing at nothing if she brushes up against something almost like she got bit or pained in her rear.     It seems to be her rear legs but I can't be sure.  

    We need to figure out what to do.   I will probably take her to another vet for a second opinion but what things should we be looking for?!?!?!  

    I feel terrible for her.
 

stephanietx

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At her age, my first thought would be to check to see if she has arthritis.  She's about that age where it can start showing up.  It's fairly easy to treat with supplements such as Cosequin. 
 
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woodfiend

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  Would arthritis cause that severe of a pain?   Or startle her?   I guess I picture arthritis as more of a mild to ornery discomfort...... Today she has been acting like when she goes to move the pain surprises her by how severe it is.   And when she moves periodically she backs up and it seems like her back legs want to buckle (not in a losing control type way but more like she is trying to find a position that doesn't pain her).  
 

stephanietx

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Yes, arthritis can cause a lot of pain.  It will be painful to the touch and because she doesn't feel well, she'll be more skittish and startle easily.  I'm concerned with the lose of strength in her back legs, though.  She needs to get to a vet ASAP tomorrow.
 
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woodfiend

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  I agree.    No vets open today.   We watch things like that carefully ( Had a few ferrets with adrenal gland problems and later in life they could potentially lose hind leg mobility).    This doesn't seem like a loss of strength....more like she is freezing and then trying to find a comfortable position with them (but it does look awkward and uncomfortable). 
 
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woodfiend

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  I went into the restroom just now and she was sitting up on the rug.   She saw me and instinctively went to roll and expose her belly to get petted.   But as she went to lay on her side she yelped in pain and bolted upright again.   
 
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woodfiend

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  The vet says Spondylosis, bone spurs and possibly arthritis.    Does anyone else have experience with Spondylosis?     I still don't understand how she can be running around the house like a maniac for a number of weeks and then not even able to jump up onto the couch the next day...... is the pain that sporadic and random?
 
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woodfiend

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  Besides the laser therapy and Dasaquin (glucosamine and chondroitin which I don't know if it even helps).   They gave Buprenex for the pain.    But also recommended looking into acupuncture.  :/

   So mostly managing symptoms and no real solution or cure.  :(

   I would just like to know from other owners who have cats Spondylosis if their cats pain comes and goes with large swings in severity.    I just don't want to leave anything undiagnosed if this isn't in fact what she has.....
 

zed xyzed

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My sister started acupuncture, both of us were sceptical, but we were blown away when her cat started being more active and playful. I guess in some cases it really does work   
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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I am glad they gave buprenex for her pain.

It's my understanding that glucosamein/chondroiten take a long time (months) to have a good effect (if any). Personally, I would not rely upon Dasaquin for pain management for your kitty! She is in pain, even if it appears to you to "come and go". Arthritis and bone spurs are painful. In my opinion, finding a good dose of pain medication with your vet, individualized for your cat & her weight and health, will help her to feel much more comfortable.
 
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jdollprincess

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I have a 16 year old cat with severe spinal arthritis and bone spurs. After trying a few different things I now give her weekly adequan injections which really seems to help. She also gets a nightly dose of gabapentin for pain and I give her a dose of buprenorphine when she's having a bad day.
 
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woodfiend

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I need to find a better way to medicate her. Her pain medicine is liquid and supposed to be applied to her gums and her Dasaquin is pill form. She won't tolerate the liquid on her gums and I hate to physically hold onto her. Normally pilling isn't a problem but now with this I don't want to hurt her more.
We bought some of the pill pockets....She promptly ate one and spit the pill out and finished the rest. :/ :)
 

stephanietx

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The Dasaquin can probably be crushed and added to wet food.  I use Cosequin and it's a powder in a capsule.  I open the capsule and sprinkle on food.
 
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