3 year old cat suddenly struggling to walk

[Littlemissindependent]

I have a 3 year old rescue cat named Willow. 4 weeks ago I took her to my usual vet as she seemed very lethargic, no life in her and hobbling slightly. Vet diagnosed an infection, gave antibiotic injection and packed us off.
Took her back to vet 5 days ago as she still seems unhappy, not really moving at all other than for food or to use litter tray. Vet thinks she has a severe heart murmur but sent me away with no pain relief, just instructions to video Willow when she's limping. Vet has seen video and has scheduled full body x rays for Monday but last night Willows front legs seemed to totally collapse, she couldn't pull herself up and was kind of dragging herself about in a panic. This morning she's back to limping/hobbling and crying out when she tries to walk. Vet told me NOT to give any pain relief when I saw her on Monday but it's breaking my heart seeing her in so much pain. Does anyone have any advice as to why this could be happening, or what's causing it? I should add Willow is an indoor cat, no stairs, nowhere high for her to fall from

Emergency vet appointment today.

I can't figure it out. She's eating, drinking, using the litter tray and purring her little head off. Which makes me think she's not in pain. It seems to come and go, one day she won't move from the bed, the next she'll be sauntering around and you can barely notice the hobbling. I rang the vet yesterday and explained what had been happening but they still don't want to see her until Monday?!

I ewouldnt be happy with the vet at all. I would take her to a different vet. Has she lost or gained any weight? My cat had leg problems when he became diabetic, walked on his hocks (lower half of hind legs) couldn't manage stairs etc.. And on a couple of occasions his front paw folded over and he walked on the wrong side. It was awful. He's all back to normal now.

My vets also tried to fob me off but I took him back and requested a full blood screening including thyroid, liver, kidney and diabetes. The vet basically told me it was a waste of time. I thought it was kidney failure having seen it before, but it was diabetes.

Sorry for the ramble, I would go to a different vet and ask for bloods.

Get a different vet.
It could be a range of things but with the combination of heart disease lameness and pain I'd be concerned about a thromboembolism - though these don't usually improve spontaneously. If any of her limbs feel cooler than others she needs urgent medical attention (a blood clot could be blocking the blood supply)

Other possibilities such as cba or dog bite are pretty unlikely with your indoor cat unless any local cats come into your house?

Article on ATE here. Saddle thrombus of hindlimbs is most common but a forelimb thrombus could cause the signs you describe. It's a veterinary emergency if so
www.cardiospecialist.co.uk/ate.pdf

My concern would be something neurological with the variability, eg something pressing on spinal cord eg swelling/growth. I would want an emergency vets appointment, bloods, xrays, mri scans the lot! (Same as I'd be expecting if I suddenly lost use of my arms! Its the fact it was both front legs that collapsed is what is making me think spinal cord compression.

BTW xrays will only show bony problems and will not necessarily show spinal cord compression if it is something non bony pressing on spinal cord. I would want a vet specialising in spinal surgery to review. Hope your little cat is ok.

Also friends dog had a spinal injury from running into a wall, first vet advised putting her down, insisted on specialist opinion, dog made good recovery with physio.

Absolutely fuming. After having explained to the (new) vet about Willow being insured and her reassuring me I wouldn't need to pay the £610 upfront, I took Willow in this morning and they refused to see her without full payment upfront! Absolutely disgusted. Have spoken to my original vet, explained the situation to them and they're going to see her tomorrow. She seems fine in herself, although I have noticed an increase in appetite and diabetes has crossed my mind. Right now she's curled up asleep on her bed so I think she's comfortable. Just want her well again :(

What on earth is the £610 for?!?!

Apparently that's what it will cost me for a full body x ray and a blood test?!

Is there a third vet in your area that you could take her to? Because I wouldn't be impressed with the original vet who gave an AB injection, and said no pain killers. It must have been heartbreaking to see her in pain, yet unable to give pain relief. And cats hide pain very well, and often purr to self soothe, (they purr for all kinds of reasons).

I think Veterinari and donkey have given some sound advice. Maybe write down their suggestions to take with you to the vet? It can be so easy to forget what you wanted to ask during the consultation.

So sorry this is happening to you and your poor girl.

I don't know about an x ray but a fairly thorough blood test cost me about £120.

Thanks Garden. I'm in North Norfolk so a bit out of the way unfortunately. We're off to the vets this morning to find out if it could be diabetes. She definitely has increased appetite and thirst, using litter tray more frequently and extremely lethargic. I just want some answers now!

Not diabetes and bloods came back all clear. Vet is bemused. Back in tomorrow for x rays and scans of heart. If they show nothing then it'll be a referral to a neurological specialist near Newmarket. Thank goodness for pet insurance is all I can say atm :(

You must be so worried. How is she at the moment?

That first vet sounds dreadful. She shouldn't have been left in obvious discomfort for this amount of time without pain relief

She seems fine in herself. Very unimpressed at being shaved for bloods but shes eating and drinking and having a thorough wash. The limping just doesn't fit with what else is going on with her! Hopefully scans/x rays will reveal more. And the lovely lovely vet I saw today gave me more pain relief which is something

She's gone garden. Vet had to come out and put her to sleep on Friday

So sorry for your loss. xxx

I'm very sorry, Littlemiss.

Really sorry. Hope you are ok.

sorry to read this.
can you talk about it, what happened?

So sorry to hear this.