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The litter tray

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Original poster

Our cat has suddenly lost the use of his back legs

61 replies

Evalina · 13/02/2017 10:41

Our lovely 10 year old cat developed a limp on Wednesday and we took him to the vet on Friday as he couldn't jump up.

By Saturday he couldn't stand on his back legs although can move them. He's at the specialist now and they say he has a mass on his spine which is most likely to be lymphoma, and the mri showed signs that it might have spread but they can't be sure.

He's fine in himself, eating normally and seems happy and not in any pain.

Surgery is an option to remove the mass enough to relieve the pressure and allow him to regain use of his legs and bladder, or we could try drugs which might take longer to shrink the tumour. Awaiting results from spinal tap which should confirm what it is.

Has anyone had a cat with this before? If we can have him home for a few months or even a year, then as long as he can walk, wee and is not in pain we would like to do that.

Am so sad, it has happened so suddenly. He was fine this time last week.

Any advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
Evalina · 18/02/2017 20:18

GardenGeek Not in the midlands, but thank you anyway.. Glad your boy recovered normally. Ours is definitely related to the mass, as it was a large one compressing the spinal cord. Now that it has been removed, he is regaining strength in his legs.

He has yet to wee, but seems to be trying by going into the litter tray, so hopefully just a matter of time.

We're picking him up in the morning, to see whether perhaps being home helps with that at all. If not we will probably need a prompt visit to our local vet on Monday morning as it's sounding as though the bladder expressing may not be straightforward, although I will give it a go.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 19/02/2017 08:12

I'm picking up my poorly girl for day leave today. These cats will be the death of us Op! Hope he wees in his litter tray when you get home. Love the term 'like that' it sums up many cats!!

Original poster
Evalina · 19/02/2017 20:29

Well he's home and also weeing which is great news.

Despite going into the litter tray none of it seems to make it there, instead he has straggly wet fur in his nether regions which is not great. He does groom himself but then goes again so that is all a bit frustrating.

He can move both of his back legs when lying down, but avoids putting any weight on them so just tried to pull himself around on his front legs, dragging the back ones behind him which I find quite distressing. The vet showed me how to hold the base of his tail to encourage him to bear weight on the rear ones but mostly that ends up with him walking wheelbarrow style.

He is in his crate and I have an indoor webcam rigged up so I can see him even in a different room and also from my mobile phone if away from home. Also means I can check on him from bed!

Still, very glad to have him home, but we have some work ahead of us to get him back on his feet.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 19/02/2017 21:43

There's a little progress though? I imagine his rear is still swollen - to a degree - from the op.

When are the test results likely in?

Original poster
Evalina · 20/02/2017 11:56

Yes I think there is progress, and he does need more recovery time from the op, which was only a few days ago. He seems happy to be home, and sleeping a lot. I'm taking him to see our local vet this evening, as want to check he is weeing properly and that his bladder is not getting over full.

I have been massaging his hind legs, and also stretching them for him, which he seems to quite like.

Toxoplasmosis result should be today.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/02/2017 12:08

Let us know how that goes?

RubbishMantra · 20/02/2017 12:49

It must be very distressing for you to see him struggling. I'm filled with fear about if anything were to debilitate my 2 boys. But like Cozie says, there will probably still be pressure on his spine from swelling after his surgery.

Sleep's good and healing. I know I sound like a nag, but are you giving yourself care too?

Good wishes and healing thoughts from the boys and me.

RubbishMantra · 20/02/2017 12:59

P.S. - Just had a thought, when you take him to vets tonight, you could ask if they think a hygiene cut is a good idea. They clipper off the fur around the nethers, and should be able to do that for you there. Might make things easier for DCat and you.

ElizaDontlittle · 20/02/2017 13:12

It must be really hard for you to watch him struggling so much. I hope it's just a confidence thing - I work with humans going thru the same thing (iyswim!) and the recovery time is way longer than your boy has had thus far, and we can tell them what to expect and how to mobilise!! Really hope he still has much improvement in him yet.

cozietoesie · 20/02/2017 22:29

Any result from the toxoplasmosis test?

GardenGeek · 20/02/2017 22:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

timtam23 · 20/02/2017 23:02

I'm glad he's home but it must be very difficult to see him struggling with his legs. I guess plenty of time is required, humans would probably be having physio in these situations so the stretching/massaging should help.

Original poster
Evalina · 21/02/2017 12:22

I took him to the vet last night, who said his bladder was very full, and thought that the wetness was him 'leaking'. He expressed him and told me to bring him back in the morning again, which I did. He was leaking again this morning and the vet said his bladder was not overly full, so that may be a concern.

I did ask about clipping him to make it easier, but the vet said we would need to sedate him, and I think he's had enough of that for a while.

I gave him a lower body wash when I got him back, which despite not liking initially he did eventually tolerate. I got him as dry as I could and put him back in his basket wrapped up in a fleecy blanket, and he's now sleeping.

Neurologist called to say the toxoplasmosis results were back, and a bit 'odd'. His igM levels are low (high would indicate a current infection), and his igG levels are high (low is normal in a cat previously infected). So it's possible that it could be that. He's asked pathology to take another slice of the 'mass' that was removed and see if they can find something else. He's also sent cat info to a colleague to see if they have any thoughts.

It could still be meningioma he says, and the toxoplasmosis just there, but we are carrying on with the toxoplasmosis drug just in case.

So, still need him to relearn to wee. I'm clinging to the fact that he did at the neurologist place before we brought him home, and maybe the move home has unsettled him, and he just needs a bit more rest..

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 21/02/2017 12:40

Fingers crossed.

Original poster
Evalina · 25/02/2017 15:50

Well it's been a difficult week, but I think he's making progress, albeit slowly. I have learned to express his bladder, but he does occasionally wee on his own just before I doso (when lying down on the puppy pad ready). I also found a puddle in the crate just outside the litter tray, so I think he struggles to get in and out of it without full use of his back legs. I always hold him on the litter tray, but he doesn't seem to like that and just struggles to get free.

I have been doing physio with him, and I think his back legs are getting stronger, although he's still not putting full weight on them - but I can hold him now and he will put his legs down and rest a little on them. He's also moving them more.

I've had to bathe his lower half quite a lot to make sure any urine is removed which he tolerates. He's snuggled up in a fleecy blanket on his cat bed next to the radiator looking very cosy now.

So still a way to go before he's out of the woods, but I am still hoping he will get there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Evalina · 27/02/2017 20:47

Cat has made really good progress over the weekend. Now weeing independently, and also starting to bear weight and attempt to walk on his back legs.

Feeling really positive and hopeful now, as he seems so much happier, and keeps stretching his back legs out when in his basket..

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 27/02/2017 21:10

That's quite an improvement. When is he due to be at the vet's again?

Original poster
Evalina · 27/02/2017 22:20

We paid a visit to local vets today for a checkup, and an enema as he was a bit constipated, which was effective.

Visit to neurologist is due next week, and I need to speak to them to arrange an appointment.

He's wobbly and uncoordinated when he walks, so focusing on doing physio and only doing little walks until he is stronger. He's sat on the sofa next to me purring and looks blissfully happy.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 27/02/2017 22:21

That's pleasing. In general. Smile

GardenGeek · 27/02/2017 23:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Evalina · 28/02/2017 21:11

Better again today. Steadier on his feet and insisted on going outside this evening so that he could do a wee under the hedge. He seems to be refusing to use the litter tray in the crate so plan now is to pop him outside morning and evening.

He's not eating much but the capsules he's on for the possible toxoplasmosis can make them feel nauseous apparently.

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 28/02/2017 21:30

He could be associating the tray in the crate with pain? Are you able to put a really shallow one somewhere? Or you could try litter in a really shallow baking tray, the ones with only a few mms lip.

Sounds like he's recovering. It must be distressing for you too.

cozietoesie · 28/02/2017 21:40

I'd be thinking - after consultation with his vet - about moving his tray from his crate to give him more room. I'd still keep an inside tray going though - he may change his mind, especially if you have some nasty weather.

Good news though. Smile

Original poster
Evalina · 28/02/2017 22:50

Good ideas thank you, as yes I think he has a bad association with the litter tray from when he first came home and tried to use it.

OP posts:
timtam23 · 01/03/2017 21:39

That's all sounding very positive, fingers crossed that the improvement continues