My cat Luna got hit by a car last friday night we think, she was found by someone and called the RSPCA, she was taken to the vets who took xrays but no broken bones which we where very happy with. The problem is she is not using her legs but has feeling in them and tries to pull herself around on her front legs. She doesnt seem to have lots of strength in her upper legs. We are trying to do home physiotheraphy, but we are worried she wont walk. Not sure what to do!
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My cat doesnt use her back legs
- Thread starter ellieg
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #2
This is out of my area - only some of what I've heard over yrs - even for humans. I'm not a nerve or spinal cord specialist in any manner. I've had some experience of my own, requiring needing TENS units & phys. ther. I've dealt w/ the topic & "played nurse," for a few months; met w/ doctors; when a relative had open back spinal surgery.
1st question, why is she outside? I know many people let their cats out, but statistically outside cats have shorter life spans - for several reasons.
Do some research - there may be something you can do at home (or not), or maybe better to let her pain subside from the accident. You need more professional advice.
Obviously, xrays won't show damaged nerves or spinal cord, etc. IF... they took the right views, & IF they knew what to look for (don't assume they do for everything), they would show severely damaged vertebrae, dislocated joints, etc. They may not show bulging disks (pressing on nerves), & probably not cracked vertebrae.
They may not show soft tissue swelling, that could press on nerves / spinal column, cord.
Only something like MRI would show those & then it takes skilled technician to take them & skilled person to interpret.
My guess is, if she has "good feeling" in her legs, there could be temporary or permanent nerve "damage" or impingement (something pressing on them).
" but has feeling in them"
How did you determine the level of feeling (details)?
Is the level of feeling the same in both back legs?
Is feeling present all up & down one or both legs? (Often, they use sterile, stainless steel "pin prick" test for quick, dirty analysis).
If she has "feeling" in her back legs, at least she's not completely paralyzed - that's something positive.
It may also be too painful for her to use back legs yet. Have you ever had your back "go out?" Sometimes, you can't even stand or walk w/o a cane.
An experienced neurologist might determine where the nerves are damaged or being blocked, by determining where feeling & nerve function is better / worse / absent - up & down the legs. Of course, they'd want to run electrical nerve tests (expensive).
IF... it's due to swelling, the swelling may go down & stop pressing on nerves. but I'd imagine there are treatments / meds, ice packs - something - to speed the reduction in inflammation & swelling. In humans, that might be NSAIDs & ice packs (one approach) & other meds.
In general, the sooner any pressure or impingement on nerves can be reduced / relieved, the better.
I'd look on sites like Cornell U. school of veterinary & other major colleges - for nerve impingement, swelling around nerves, accidents, etc. What typical diagnostics & treatments are used.
How much you should try to use "physical therapy" vs. using rest & ice or meds to reduce inflammation & swelling.
If swollen tissue is pressing on nerves, physical therapy right away could aggravate it. Depends on what / where the problem is.
"not much strength in front legs" could be from accident pain, or fact she's not used to pulling entire body from that position.
1st question, why is she outside? I know many people let their cats out, but statistically outside cats have shorter life spans - for several reasons.
Do some research - there may be something you can do at home (or not), or maybe better to let her pain subside from the accident. You need more professional advice.
Obviously, xrays won't show damaged nerves or spinal cord, etc. IF... they took the right views, & IF they knew what to look for (don't assume they do for everything), they would show severely damaged vertebrae, dislocated joints, etc. They may not show bulging disks (pressing on nerves), & probably not cracked vertebrae.
They may not show soft tissue swelling, that could press on nerves / spinal column, cord.
Only something like MRI would show those & then it takes skilled technician to take them & skilled person to interpret.
My guess is, if she has "good feeling" in her legs, there could be temporary or permanent nerve "damage" or impingement (something pressing on them).
" but has feeling in them"
How did you determine the level of feeling (details)?
Is the level of feeling the same in both back legs?
Is feeling present all up & down one or both legs? (Often, they use sterile, stainless steel "pin prick" test for quick, dirty analysis).
If she has "feeling" in her back legs, at least she's not completely paralyzed - that's something positive.
It may also be too painful for her to use back legs yet. Have you ever had your back "go out?" Sometimes, you can't even stand or walk w/o a cane.
An experienced neurologist might determine where the nerves are damaged or being blocked, by determining where feeling & nerve function is better / worse / absent - up & down the legs. Of course, they'd want to run electrical nerve tests (expensive).
IF... it's due to swelling, the swelling may go down & stop pressing on nerves. but I'd imagine there are treatments / meds, ice packs - something - to speed the reduction in inflammation & swelling. In humans, that might be NSAIDs & ice packs (one approach) & other meds.
In general, the sooner any pressure or impingement on nerves can be reduced / relieved, the better.
I'd look on sites like Cornell U. school of veterinary & other major colleges - for nerve impingement, swelling around nerves, accidents, etc. What typical diagnostics & treatments are used.
How much you should try to use "physical therapy" vs. using rest & ice or meds to reduce inflammation & swelling.
If swollen tissue is pressing on nerves, physical therapy right away could aggravate it. Depends on what / where the problem is.
"not much strength in front legs" could be from accident pain, or fact she's not used to pulling entire body from that position.
How is she doing now? Is she regaining any use of those legs? What does the Vet say about possible recovery of them?
