Borris' back legs are weak

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loveorangecats

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Hi,
On Monday of this week my best pal Borris (who's an orange tabby) was diagnosed with hyperthryoid, he's an old man at 18 but still the best cat ever. I have been a mess waiting for this diagnosis! We've been giving him Tapezole for three days now and he's taking the pills fine....however, yesterday when I came home from work I noticed Borris is favoring his back legs, when I pick him up and put him down he's really weak on the hind legs and compensates by using his front paws to put the weight on. In my heart I think it's time for him to go, although it's killing me to say that, but he's just not looking good. He was always able to go up the stairs in the house (albeit slowly) but today he's just not able to do it. He waits at the bottom of the stairs for me to get him, the legs are definately giving him some problems. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I don't want him to be in pain.

Thanks for any advice.
 
AbbysMom

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Please call your vet. It could be that he is just having a reaction to the medication.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.
 
rang_27

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I agree. I think calling the vet would be a good idea. If you were on a new medication & had a strange reaction you would call your doctor. I think it's worth a shot. Then if the vet says it's not the meds you can think about difficult decision ahead. I'm sorry your goign through this, no one should ever have to.
 
hell603

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could be arthitis - but i also would call the Vet especially due to his age and medical condition.

Hope all goes well for your little man!!!
 
stephenq

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To add to the list.....it could be cardiomyapathy, a serious heart problem that often shows up as sudden rear leg paralysis, although it usually shows up in younger cats I believe.
 
pat

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Do call the vet, it can also be that hyperthyroidism is known to mask kidney issues...though it's only been 3 days, now that you are treating the hyperthyroidism, perhaps kidney issues are coming to the fore. Leg weakness can be one issue with kidney issues, sometimes related to low potassium from increased urinary volume and treatable...anyhoo...long story short, go back to your vet for another exam and find out what is causing this.
 
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loveorangecats

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Thanks for everyones advice about Borris. I left work early to be with him before I took him to the vet on Friday, as I feared the worst about his condition. He wasn't using his back legs and just looked horrible. Amid my sobs the vet was able to understand me when I said he wasn't walking well. She took her stethoscope and said she could hear no pulse in the hind left leg, he was sort of slumped over on the table, I think he knew what was coming. I didn't want to see him in pain anymore, I said he'd had a long happy life and it was time for him to go. The vet, who was absolutely great, agreed, she thought perhaps he had kidney disease. We layed him down, she gave him the shot and I just looked into his eyes as he passed. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do but I take comfort in knowing he's not in pain anymore. He was my best friend for 10 years (he was a stray and was about 18). I'll miss him.
 
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So very sorry about your baby. It's a terribly tough thing that you did but I'm glad you stayed with Borris while he passed. Too many people simply leave their cat with the vet. Borris knew you were there, loving him, right to the last minute.
 
rockcat

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I am so very sorry for your loss. You loved Boris so much that you helped him to the Rainbow Bridge where he can run and play again. I know you miss him greatly. I'm sure he was a wonderful cat and always knew he was loved.
 
pat

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I am very sorry for your loss.
Rest assured your
has a lot of very good company - all the other TCS angels.
 
trouts mom

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I'm very sorry for your loss
I really didn't see that coming for Boris..It must be very hard to deal with...my heart goes out to you
 
cloud_shade

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Originally Posted by LoveOrangeCats

Thanks for everyones advice about Borris. I left work early to be with him before I took him to the vet on Friday, as I feared the worst about his condition. He wasn't using his back legs and just looked horrible. Amid my sobs the vet was able to understand me when I said he wasn't walking well. She took her stethoscope and said she could hear no pulse in the hind left leg, he was sort of slumped over on the table, I think he knew what was coming. I didn't want to see him in pain anymore, I said he'd had a long happy life and it was time for him to go. The vet, who was absolutely great, agreed, she thought perhaps he had kidney disease. We layed him down, she gave him the shot and I just looked into his eyes as he passed. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do but I take comfort in knowing he's not in pain anymore. He was my best friend for 10 years (he was a stray and was about 18). I'll miss him.
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You have my deepest sympathies. I lost my stray boy, Spot, on Saturday. He also had sudden leg weakness and inability to stand. It is hard when it hits you that you'll never be able to hold them again, but you'll know you did the best thing for him in preventing further suffering. I'm currently trying to find a place to donate Spot's medicines (he was also hyperthyroid, and had a mostly full bottle of appetite stimulants). If your vet didn't offer to take the medication back, then you may want to try to donate the rest of Boris's Tapazole so that his memory can live on by helping another kitty. These kitties leave our houses but never leave our hearts.
 
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