Does Not Want to Use Hind Legs

About a week ago I noticed my cat was becoming lethargic, had a small limp, and was not using her box. I took her to the nearest vet and they did Xrays and turns out she was quite constipated. The vet gave her an enema and sent her home. Since then I switched to soft food with a bit of pumpkin and mixed with water. She was still not using her box as regularly as usual. About 3 days ago I decided to just pick her up and take her to her box and she went pee and poop. Eventually she stopped coming to her food and I had to carry her there as well. Yesterday I noticed she was sitting strange and picked up her back side a couple inches and plopped her on her feet. That seemed to really hurt her and I realized she wasn't going to the bathroom or to get food because she didn't want to use her back legs. 

So I went back to my vet this morning scared to death it was a blood clot. My vet told me I should see a neurological vet (both vets ruled out a blood clot /phew). He watched her try to walk, her back legs gave out, and he poked around until he located the pain to her lower spine. The neuro vet did not seem hopeful :/ he listed off a million things it might be. He said we could do an MRI for $3000 but it might not even show the problem. Since I can't fathom going into $3000 of CC debt right now I opted for some blood work and the vet prescribed antibiotics and steroids for a week to see if that helps her situation at all. The vet said most kittys who come in with these symptoms are not treatable and tat cat's frequently wait till it's too late before they begin to display signs of neurological discomfort.

Bambi is a 7yr old, 10lb, indoor only cat who was previously healthy except an emergency invasive surgery about two years ago for a "twisted bowel", which is incredibly rare in young cats. Hoping blood work has some answers for me. I've also read about good results from using steroids. I'm still very worried because nobody can tell me why this happened and her legs are getting increasingly worse by the day :/

If anyone has or knows a cat with similar symptoms or has thoughts about what It might be, I'd appreciate your help. I'm not ready to loose my baby

I am so sorry about Bambi. That is tough. Unfortunately, I've been there done that. (((Hugs))).


In the case of my cat, it did not end well. He was 5 years old when I took him to the vet for back legs that did not work (totally random, never happened before) the vet diagnosed HCM and a severe blood clot that they could not remove (feline saddle thrombus) which is where a blood clot breaks off from the heart and gets stuck in a artery. He had underlying heart disease and heart failure on top of fluid in his lungs. I had to say goodbye to Nico that day. . .I'm not trying to scare you but I agree with the vets, a blood clot sounds like a high possibility. Are her back legs cold? What color are her paw pads? Any bluish colored means a trip to the vet ER as soon as possible!


Did your vet look for heart failure or a murmur? Murmurs are often harmless, but not always. I don't have much advice for you other than the above. I'm so sorry.

(((Hugs))) again.

Both vets ruled out a blood clot. No murmur and her paws are not cold. I was reading about it last night and frantic thinking that's exactly what she had, but both my vet and the neuro vet said they doubt it. 

I really don't know what advice to offer you. I'm sorry. Could you possibly see another vet?

I don't personally have experience with this but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and your kitty.

The steroids could help with inflammation and pain. Did the vets also rule out arthritis? I know they took an X-ray and saw she was constipated but did they do any films of her spine?

It may be a long shot but could you maybe see about chiropractic care for her? Or another alternative therapy such as acupuncture or Reiki? I know that some have had great results.

Just trying to throw out some ideas and avenues of research possibilities. it's so hard when we don't know how to help our precious kitties.

Thanks guys. Blood work came back today and everything is normal. :/ $3000 MRI is my only other option

How is she doing? Any improvement?