Cat Won't Walk...Other Issues

unfable

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I took both of my 6 year old cats to the vet on 3/14/17 for their yearly vaccines. Which were Rabies and RCP. My male cat also received a Depo shot for allergies (which hes never had) Both of them were perfectly fine for the first few days and then I slowly started noticing my male cat didn't want to get up or have anything to do with me. He showed very little interest in eating, or anything other than sleeping. I took him  back to the vet on 3/23/17 where he received a Famotidine injection (I assume to help his appetite) and SubQ fluids. His temp at the time was 102 so they weren't too concerned.

He still didn't seem quite himself after that. Walking very stiff like he hurt and just laying around. The only way he would really eat is if I laid food out in front of him while he was laying down and he'd eat and drink water, as long as he didn't have to get up. On 3/25/17 I went back to the vet to speak to them and they said they didnt have room to see him as they were only open until noon on Saturdays. They mad an appointment to see him on Monday. Later that day I took him out on his harness to walk around and he seemed rather normal. Walking and happy. Once inside after that he returned back to doing nothing after using the litter box to urinate.

The next morning on Sunday he wasn't moving at all so I took him to the emergency vet. His temp was at 104 now,  they did urinalysis and tested his blood. They said nothing popped out as too concerning. His urine was a little cloudy possibly due to dehydration, but no crystals. She did mention a possibility of pain in his kidneys? Which would be weird if nothing in his urine was of concern or blood? He also showed pain in his back area, his legs, ect. Which I guess is why he didn't want to walk. Anyway, they gave him another round of SubQ fluid and sent him home with Buprenorphine and Onsir for pain and inflammation. I gave him his meds and went to work.

Once I got home he was still in pain and didn't want to walk. I gave him another round of his buprenorphine and took a shower. Once out I laid some food down for him and like I figured hed only eat if laying down. Which he did eat a bit. I then decided to just put him in the litter box since he didn't want to walk and he instantly urinated. Poor thing probably held it all day and was too sore to move.

My question is what in the world could have brought this on if his blood work is fine? Does he need an antibiotic of some sort? Can he just not walk due to fever? His vaccines? My cats are indoors, they arent exposed to other animals or bugs really. I don't think they've ever had fleas and if they did it was right I rescued them as kittens. I still give them revolution just in case because I will sometimes take them in the yard on their harness.

Im going back to the vet tomorrow for my monday appointment, but im not sure what to ask them to maybe look for? Im so stressed and confused about it all. My cat was perfectly fine before I took him in for his shots and its been a ride downhill since. Im terrified my other cat is going to start acting this way if hes caught something.
 

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@Unfable...I'm so sorry that your cat and you are going through this.

My thinking is that it was either the combination of giving your 6 year old cat the vaccines plus the depo shot,...or perhaps the depo shot is causing side effects, since he has never had it before.

Vaccines are supposed to boost the immune system, but steroid shots cause the immune system to not over-react, in a way suppressing it.

I just don't know why your regular Vet, or the ER vet would not have mentioned this. I'm no vet, though, so maybe they know better.

Sometimes cats do get sore legs, and bumps on the legs from vaccine injections, but to have your cat not move, and it's almost been 2 weeks is worrying.

Did he ever have a difficult reaction to vaccines before?

When you take him in tomorrow, ask the Vet how long the Depo shot will be in his system, and if there is anything that they can do to flush it out faster?

Was there any chance that giving the shot, in the muscle, hit a nerve or caused a sore reaction?

Keep giving him water and wet food.

I'm so hoping that he will manage to absorb or flush it out of his system himself.

I would phone the ER hospital, again, and explain his symptoms.

It just does not sound right.
 
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unfable

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Oh man, I really messed up that post with the images. Is there a way to edit the post?

They told me at the emergency vet the depo only last 2 to 4 weeks. I originally ask the doctor that gave him the shot when I took him back if that shot could have done this and she said not likely. Same with the doctor at the emergency vet. They both said if he had a reaction it would have happened within 24 hours. Not days later. I hope more answers can be given tomorrow when I take him back for his appointment.

Also he has never had a reaction like this to anything. The only time he ever didn't move was when he had a urinary blockage 4 years ago. Since then he's been on special food with no issues.
 
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unfable

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Going to try this again.


This was the vet visit after his shots, when I first noticed he was acting weird. He seemed alert and was walking around.


Later that night when he didnt even want to stand to eat...


Saturday morning, he was walking on his harness acting normal.


This was as soon as we came inside and he stayed there all day.


Here he is currently 3/26/17. this is how he is still having to eat because he wont walk. I also noticed he was folding his paw funny like here.


Is that normal at all? Thank you.
 

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That is just so weird.

Does your cat allow you to touch his legs, at the injection sites?

Or is he too sensitive and painful there?

It probably would be a good idea to test his urine, but like you mentioned, he still urinates, so he's not blocked.

Maybe just get a urine analysis for peace of mind, and check for crystals.

Is your other cat okay?

(as for the photos...you can try to repost them again...using that little 'mountain icon' and loading them from your computer.

Then you can PM a Mod later, and ask to delete that post...but it's not a major thing. It looks okay.

I think you get edit privileges after 5 posts...I cannot remember.)

EDIT to Add: Oops, I see the photos, now. Good going.
 
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I still cannot think of anything that would cause 'intermittent pain'?

Like your cat is fighting off, or adjusting to the vaccines?

But why would it cause him not to walk?

Did they inject the Depo also into the leg, or back?
 

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Bring the photos and videos of him walking with you to the Vet's on Monday.

And if you can, put his litter box close to him.
 
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unfable

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The emergency vet tested his urine and said no crystals. It was a little cloudy, but they said that was probably dehydration and nothing shouted a problem. They also did a deep massage of his body. Pushing on him for any signs of pain in his abdomen, back and legs. They said he didn't react as if in pain, but could see his muscles were stressed.

His shot was given in his leg. He didn't react at all to it, even the vet said "he took that like a champ." He didn't start walking funny until maybe a week after his shots.
 
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My other cat is perfectly fine. Shes acting like nothing happened.
 

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Sorry, I was re-reading your original post, and I missed the part of having the urinalysis done already.

My feeling is that it's the Depo, since it would be too strange to pick something up at the clinic, and not have any other symptoms, like sneezing, weepy eyes, nose, etc.

Also, the chances of him jumping and landing strangely, would have to have happened before the Vets, you would have noticed that.

So glad your other cat is okay.

I don't know what else you can ask to get done, besides an x-ray? That would not show any soft tissue damage, though.

Why did the ER vet think he had kidney pain?
 

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(I'm going to check the 'Search' button, at the top and see if any other threads come up with strange vaccine reactions.)

I really hope that this is just a temporary reaction, and whatever it is, he fights it off.

What is your cat's name?
 

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There is a thread from before talking about 'delayed reactions to Felocell 4'...but it only talks about a delayed reaction happening in 1% of cats.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/277902/delayed-prolonged-vaccine-reaction      ...see post #20

https://www.zoetisus.com/products/cats/felocell-4.aspx

That does not mean that it is happening to your guy, though.

Sending you major health vibes for your cat, that he feels better Monday, and that the Vets can give you some concrete answers.


If you can, can you update your thread, and tell us how he's doing on Monday?
 
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My cats name is Zep. This morning he still wouldn't walk. He can't jump on anything and seems absolutely miserable. Could this be a reaction to have the depo shot given at the same time as his rabies and RCP?
 

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My cats name is Zep. This morning he still wouldn't walk. He can't jump on anything and seems absolutely miserable. Could this be a reaction to have the depo shot given at the same time as his rabies and RCP?
Your cat should go back to the vet.
 

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My cats name is Zep. This morning he still wouldn't walk. He can't jump on anything and seems absolutely miserable. Could this be a reaction to have the depo shot given at the same time as his rabies and RCP?
Your cat should go back to the vet.
@Unfable    I know you mentioned last night, that you already had a Vet appointment today, Monday.

And I agree with talkingpeanut, that only a Vet could sort this out.

Can you find out what type of Rabies shot and RCP shot was given. The company name, batch number, expiry, etc.

Then have the Vet contact the manufacturer.

They would have to notify the manufacturer, anyhow, of any adverse reactions to pets.

If Zep still cannot walk, I would want a Specialist to look at him.

(though I would hope that the regular Vet would get the company supplying the vaccines, to cover the cost.)

I don't know if calling around and asking other ER clinics, or Vet clinics, would help...since I'm not sure that they would release any info over the phone.

But it might be worth calling around.

If you are in the States, even contacting the ASPCA, or Vet University Hospitals.

Total health vibes for Zep are being sent your way.
 
 
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Sorry for the late reply. been busy with work, ect. I took him to his appointment on Monday at 2:30. His fever was at 102, which is a lot better than 104. However probably only went down because of the medicine hes taking. I really need it to stay down on his own.

They decided to keep him over night with IV fluids, since they said that usually works way better than the subQ fluids. They also FINALLY suggested an antibiotic. Which im sorta mad they waited this long since a fever usually means infection somewhere. They also gave him some vitamins since hes still not eating as good as he should be. (He eats when I feed him, just not very much) They did mention his lungs and stuff sound perfectly fine, since I suggested the possibility of my other cat getting sick, he had no respiratory problems. He was also taken off his Onsior because she said that is a bad combination if he had recently received a steroid. I was under the impression the emergency vet knew what they were doing, knowing everything he'd previously been given. SoI'm also upset about this decision. My primary vet even said it looks like they didn't do much and suggested a band aid instead of looking to find out what was the underlying cause.

I did ask them about the steroid shot since it suppresses the immune system and they said there is a chance he had some sort of dormant virus this could have been released because of it. Don't know why they didn't tell me all this before hand...

I'm just so irritated with everything. Lack of information, lack of trying everything the first time so I'm not going back spending even more money with no answers or changes. Sigh. My baby better be ok in the morning. Super stressed about leaving him over night since I couldnt afford the emergency vet where they have 24 hour care. That means hes there alone in a cage by himself until the morning. I don't think I've ever been so stressed in my life. Not sure if I want pets every again after these 2. Its so hard to deal with when they are sick. They better live to be 20 I swear.
 

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I will second or third the depo.  Many vets don't like using Depo shots unless the cat is bad at pilling. My first kitty needed depo shots, and she did get quite lethargic within a few days. Depo shots slow release the predinsone, and, as it depresses the immune system, can make a cat suseptible to infection. Add to the fact he had vacccines likely made him even more achy. 

Wishing your boy a speedy recovery!
 
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unfable

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Its been around 14 days since they received their shots. Do you think its getting closer to running its course? Or should I expect another week or so for any reaction to the shots or illness to be finished?
 
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