My cat is having trouble walking, any advice appreciated

Started a few weeks ago, she just didn't seem to have any strength in her back legs. We took her to the vet and he seemed to be at a loss. He said her blood work is fine. She doesn't seem to be in pain and is still eating, drinking and using her bathroom. The vet did say that she has a tooth that needs to come out but her blood work didn't show signs of infection. He gave her an antibiotic which didn't change anything so three days later his associate gave us steroids for her. She got somewhat betted but now the steroids are gone and we're back where we started. Have another appointment in the morning but just freaking out a little tonight. Any suggestions?

So sorry to hear this!

I'd definitely request x-rays at your vet appointment tomorrow. You want a "Cat-O-Graph" or lateral and VD of the entire cat (meaning side view and view from top looking over the cat's back.)

The fact that she responded to the steroid makes me think there is inflammation occurring in her body...possibly her spine.

If her symptoms persist and nothing shows up on x-ray, I'd really suggest a visit with a neurologist.

Hoping you get some more answers tomorrow! Definitely make sure to set some more steroids since this helped some.

Please keep us posted!

Thanks. I asked about having an x-ray at the first appointment we had and he seemed to think it wasn't necessary. I may have to go somewhere else if he doesn't have any ideas tomorrow.

Yes. If you aren't able to get any hint of a diagnosis or probable cause, a second opinion would be ideal.

I forgot to ask, how old is your cat? Any other known health issues?

She actually just picked our housea few years ago as a stray. We live out in the boonies and couldn't find an owner so we took her in and to the vet. He estimated her age at two rhen so she would be seven now.

Oh and no other issues besides a tooth she is going to have to have pulled.

Ok. So certainly no age reason for her symptoms.

I'd want to rule out a patella or other orthopedic issue, was well as a disk problem or inflammation in the spinal column.

Back from the vet & he thinks she may had a blood clot so wants us to start her on 81mg of aspirin every 2&1\2 days and referred us to get an ulstrasound to check her heart and blood flow. The worst part is the quickest they can do the ultrasound is March 21. Strange thing is, neither of her feet seem cold, she doesn't seem to be in pain, and she isn't paralyzed just really weak. From everything I've read, it doesn't quite match. Maybe iI've just read worst case scenario and Waldo isn't at a worst case point. All I know right now is that it's going to be a long wait until the 21st.

I had initially though a saddle thrombus too; but, like you, I'm not sure this fits.

Were x-rays done? Did the vet detect a heart murmur (not required for cardiomyopathy, but usually associated)?

If I were in your shoes, I'd be calling the place where you will be getting the echo every day asking if there has been a cancellation.

He still said x-rays were useless but he did listen to her heart for a long time. He still thinks her heart sounds good. He checked her pulse in her back legs for a long time and said it was stronger than last visit. I hope the have something come open sooner because now I'm worried about giving her the aspirin if he's wrong.

I know that the few times we've had a cat have sudden and/or unexplained (meaning no obvious fall/injury) loss or decreased use of limb function we have always started with x-rays and full cbc/Chem blood panel. We didn't always get direct answers with these, but it helped rule things out. That, in my opinion, is not useless.

I agree. If they can't get us worked in sooner for the ultrasound we make have to go somewhere else for a second opinion.

Update: Waldo kitty had an ultrasound, an mri, and two spinal taps today. The mri showed that she has a mass compressing her spine just below her shoulders. Her spinal cord is compressed 60-70 percent. The neurologist said she had never seen anything like it. She is going to have another radiologist look at her images. The spinal will tell if it is lymphoma or not but it won't pick up any other kind of cancer. For right now it's not looking good.

Waldos mom said:

Update: Waldo kitty had an ultrasound, an mri, and two spinal taps today. The mri showed that she has a mass compressing her spine just below her shoulders. Her spinal cord is compressed 60-70 percent. The neurologist said she had never seen anything like it. She is going to have another radiologist look at her images. The spinal will tell if it is lymphoma or not but it won't pick up any other kind of cancer. For right now it's not looking good.

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I'm so sorry. That is heartbreaking news. Has your cat had a lot of vaccines in that area? I've heard they can be linked to sarcomas. Not that makes any difference now, I'm sure. [emoji]128575[/emoji]

She has had none since she found us.  She was a stray that we took in in 2009 and the vet told us, since she would be a strictly indoor cat, she wouldn't need to have any.  She was already spayed so I assume she had some before then.  Thanks for your kind words, we are heartbroken.  We are still waiting for confirmation of the diagnosis, but whether it is cancer or not, she will require surgery to alleviate the pressure.  Of course, she stands a better chance if it is not malignant.  The next problem is money.  Just the tests yesterday was $2,000.  The neurologist said that the surgery would be at least $4,000.  I feel like the most horrible person, but I don't think there is any way for us to come up with that kind of money.  I have never been a pet-person until she came along and captured my heart and now I am devastated at the thought of not being able to help her.