HELP! Older Cat Limping- vet finds nothing wrong

HELP! My female cat is 18 years old and up until about 6 months ago was doing great. Suddenly she began limping. It was not gradual in it's onset, although it is now much worse than it was. The limping appeared to be in her front right leg.
I immediately took her to the vet. Dr. took x-rays that came back fine. Dr also did bloodwork, which also came back fine. So then the Dr. gave her a steriod shot, thinking that she probably had arthritis, and I took her home.
The shot did not change anything. The Dr. said it was probably neuropathy and there wasn't anything I could do about it.
This was 5 months ago. Now my cat can barely walk. Her walk is slow and halting. She is still limping in front, but now her back legs also seem affected. I don't know if her motor function is worsening in back because she is just getting weaker and weaker from not moving around alot, or if the neuropathy is "spreading".
Her appetite still appears to be good. But now I think she is losing control of her bladder. She smells of urine, her cat bed smells of urine.
She sleeps all the time.
I'm so worried.
I am taking her to a different vet this week. I believe there has to be SOMETHING I can do for her. I feel horrible for her and love her desperately.
Has anyone had a cat with this problem? Are we missing something? Could she be sick with something we missed? Please help!

I don't have any advice but someone will be along to help you....I'm sending good vibes to you!

have you tried glucomine and condrotin??

Sendng good vibes to your poor kitty.
I don't know what it could be but that's a good idea to try another vet...are there any cats only vets in your area?

I don't know the answer. But I would go to another vet as soon as possible. You should be able to get a more definite answer.

By your forum-name I'm assuming you're from Ohio. Find out which university in Ohio has a veterinary school and take her there. They should be able to help you find out what is wrong. We had to do that for one of our own, when our regular vet was out of ideas.
I wish you the best of luck!

Originally Posted by sharky

have you tried glucomine and condrotin??

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Yes. Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I started her on Syn-flex 6 months ago. It doesn't seem to make a difference in her walking, but it does help her coat, which has always had a tendancy to be dry and her skin would get flaky. So I've just left her on it figuring that it couldn't hurt.

Honestly I think you have more than one thing going on. At this age, it would not be unusual if she was having some kidney failure - which would go along with the weakness in the hind legs, the overall weakness, the urine odor. Until you get to the vets this week, here is the best site, imo, on the net about CRF - its symptoms, tests to be done, treatments/meds, dietary changes.

I have an 18+ y.o. with this, there is no cure, but a lot can be done to get your kitty stable and feeling better for some more quality time with you.

Please go to: Tanya's Page and see if you feel this might apply to your girl.

I regret that I must agree with Pat here. These are classic symptoms of renal failure. I would suggest another vet and taking another look at the organ function bloodwork. Sub-Q fluids and a change in diet can help to make her more comfortable for a while.

My thoughts are with you and yours,

~gf~

I am so sorry to hear about your baby!! With an 18 year old, it could be anything. Similar things happened to my Shep at around 16 years old and in her case was possibly a brain tumor or more likely a series of strokes. How is her behavior other than the physical signs? Is she forgetting where the litter box is? Changing sleeping spots a lot? Doing things that aren't normal for her? Notice everything about her right now and talk to your vet about any behavioral changes - sometimes these are as key to a diagnosis as physical signs and bloodwork.

I agree that it sounds like possible kidney problems. Try to get your kitty in ASAP - move the appointment up if you can, since if it is the kidneys, she may be dehydrated and in need of sub-Q (subcutaneous) fluids.

Request that the bloodwork taken 5 months ago be faxed to the new vet you'll be seeing. Also, you can borrow the x-ray that was done to show to the new vet, as well.

Best of luck to you and your girl - please let us know how she's doing.

We had a vet visit. I went back to the original vet because I couldn't get in to another vet until next week. She didn't think it was a kidney problem; she drew more blood. She'll have the results tomorrow.

The vet just called. Her bloodwork is fine. She isn't even anemic, which she was slightly 6 months ago. Vet said that she is just neurologically going downhill. There has to be something I can do!

You need to take her to a feline neurologist. Ask your vet for a referral. If she doesn't know one, do an on-line search and/or call the nearest university vet school.

I am sorry there are no answers yet.

No answer except get your vet to comb thru the results with you..

Could just be arthiritus (sp)
I have seen my cat limping a few times, but it has gone in a day or two!

Originally Posted by janey83

Could just be arthiritus (sp)
I have seen my cat limping a few times, but it has gone in a day or two!

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No, I wish that was the case. She had xrays and a steriod shot in case it was arthritis. Plus, she's been on glucosamine and chrondoitin sulfate for months with no positive change.

It might be worth it to make an appointment with a holistic vet. You can search for one in your state here - http://www.ahvma.org/referral/index.php#advanced - I was very happy with the vet I found through this search and they sometimes can help when more traditional medicine doesn't.

OhioColleen - If your vet says your cat is "neurologically going downhill" there has to be a reason why that's happening. The only way to find the reason for this, as I've mentioned before, is to take your cat to a feline neurologist.

Speculating and worrying about what is wrong will not help your cat. Taking her to a neurologist will.