Why is my senior cat's back arched and leg's seem stiff?

[Dolce6969]

I could use some help trying to figure out what wrong with my kitty. I took her to the vet about 10 days ago and her blood work was good and the vet said he thought it was neurological. She’s been hiding under the bed for a couple weeks and I’m worried. As you can see her back is hunched and has a hard time walking.
She’s been eating and pooping ok but as you can see in these pics something is not right.
Any insight, that would be a huge help. Thank you!

 

[LTS3]

I'd taker her back to the vet and (politely) demand that the vet figure out what is wrong. Or take the cat to a different vet for a second opinion. If it's neurological, a veterinary neurologist can figure out exactly what is wrong and how to treat the condition.

How old is your cat? Is your cat indoors only? How long has your cat shown this strange posture?

 

[Furballsmom]

I second the thought of a second vet opinion, at a different clinic. Just in case show them these two photos, if she's not quite as hunched when she is there.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Senior cats tend to have arthritis, and that could possibly explain the posture/movement issues. So, that is what I would focus on first. Perhaps an x-ray of her legs & spine. If that would be the case, there are arthritic supplements as well as pain meds to help.

Feeby (18+yo) holds a semi-arched stance, but does not have trouble walking, short of being slow moving. She also has a couple of nearly fused vertebrae that we only found out about a few years ago with x-rays.

If the arthritis is ruled out as a possible cause, then you probably do need to consult with a vet who specializes in neurology.

 

[Dolce6969]

I'd taker her back to the vet and (politely) demand that the vet figure out what is wrong. Or take the cat to a different vet for a second opinion. If it's neurological, a veterinary neurologist can figure out exactly what is wrong and how to treat the condition.

How old is your cat? Is your cat indoors only? How long has your cat shown this strange posture?

She is 12 years old and is always inside. Dolce was a feral kitten who was the runt of the litter and is definitely a small kitty.
Her posture thing has been happening for about a month, but she has been hiding under the bed for several weeks. We noticed something changed about 2 years ago when she seemed like she had a "glitch in the matrix" She had a bump on the back of her head close to her ear and began to scratch it raw. We changed her food and that seemed to solve that issue. Now, whenever you touch anywhere near that side, her leg automatically starts to move (it seems like a auto reaction) I recently felt a couple more further down her neck. We have had her ears checked several times, but no infection was found. Last night I moved her food etc next to the bed for easy access. Yes we have taken her to two different vet's but they are also stumped. Thank everyone for your help and advise. Hug's Kiley in Reno Nevada

 

[Dolce6969]

These are from a couple years ago when all was good...

 

[LTS3]

You can ask your vet to consult with a veterinary school or veterinary specialist to see if they have any ideas. Did the vet do any x rays?

 

[Dolce6969]

You can ask your vet to consult with a veterinary school or veterinary specialist to see if they have any ideas. Did the vet do any x rays?

Not the last time we took her in. Hmmm "Cat Scan" $$$$

 

[FeebysOwner]

X-rays aren't all that expensive. You could at least try that aspect to see about her spine and legs.

 

[iPappy]

What about trying something like Cosequin (I think it's available on Chewy) for cats for a month or two, then re-evaluating how she's doing?