Limp back legs advice

[Allotmenthelp]

About 3 weeks ago I found my cat in the garden with a limp front leg, it was completely cold and he couldn’t put any weight on it. I took him to the vets who performed an X-ray, they said it wasn’t broken and was probably a trapped nerve. It seemed to get completely better but then went again. All this time he has been in the bedroom to keep him rested and it’s pretty much back to normal.
This afternoon I went in and he has completely lost use of his back legs. I took him to the vets and they’ve given him an opioid painkiller and I’m taking him back tomorrow so they can see him again.
They mentioned putting him to sleep and I’m absolutely heartbroken. 3 weeks ago he was running around the garden and full of life. Has anyone had this before? I don’t want him to suffer but as I don’t know what’s caused it I don’t know how he can get better. I’m having to hand feed him under the bed. Any advise would be appreciated, he’s the loveliest cat and even though he must be miserable he’s still purring and cuddling in to me.

I’m shocked the vet didn’t suspect a thromboembolism. Sounds very much like the symptoms. Definitely back to the vets, or another vets!

Thank you. I’m taking him at 9am so will mention it. It was very last minute tonight, they gave him a painkiller and told me to come back tomorrow. Do you have any idea what the prognosis/treatment is for that? I don’t want to make him suffer but don’t feel ready to lose him so soon.

I’ve just looked it up and he has all the symptoms. The prognosis doesn’t look good at all. It’s come on so quickly and he was such a healthy boy up until recently.

One of ours lost the use of his back legs and it turned out he had lymphoma.

Hope your cat can get better soon

They gave my dog opioids and he didn’t last the night.

Sounds like FATE most likely.
I would not hestitate to euthanase if he was my cat- some get better but I have never seen this happen. Your boy doesn't sound quite as painful as some- they're usually horrifically, can't race to the dangerous drugs cupboard fast enough painful. But the last one that I saw that was similar- not too terribly painful, actually ate a bit , sweet sweet pillable cat so I thought well we'll give this one a go- I gave him his first dose of clopidogrel which he took nicely being the sweetheart that he was, he thought "that's a bit bitter" and frothed for a few seconds, keeled over , threw his head back and died.

Most of them have a big thickened heart (HCM) with a clot (thrombus) in it with bits waiting to break off and travel elsewhere (embolism). This can be to a single front leg, or the point at which the end of the aorta divides to supply each hind leg. Sometimes to the lungs or brain.
Or the heart itself can suffer a sudden arrhythmia, which I suspect is what happened to my sweet patient- also happens to young adult humans out of the blue.

"It’s come on so quickly and he was such a healthy boy up until recently."
That's typical, you didn't miss anything and there is no way you could have known what his heart was doing. He probably genuinely felt absolutely fine up until it happened.

Thank you so much for this. I’ve been up most of the night with him, he’s eaten some chicken and slept. He needed the litter tray and it was absolutely heartbreaking to watch, I had to hold him so he didn’t topple over.
I’d never heard of this before, I thought he was getting better with his front leg and now this has happened with his back ones. I’m thinking he will need to be put to sleep today, I’ll see what the vets say.

I'm so sorry about your cat, but I'm concerned that the vet wasn't more on the ball.
Our much loved & recently departed cat had cardiomyopathy. We were told that any problems with the back legs was a medical emergency as it was probably a clot.
Wishing you well for today. It's heartbreaking to see an animal suffering.

All good wishes for today. Sending positive thoughts and love.❤️

Thank you all. I took him to the vets and they said the chances of recovery were so slim and he would have no quality of life. He had lots of treats and they put him to sleep, he looked so peaceful. I’m utterly heartbroken but he’s not in pain anymore.

So very sorry, but you made the correct, heartbreaking decision. Xx

So very sorry for the loss of your lovely boy. I had to have my 18-yr old Siamese pts 2 weeks ago so I do know how hard it is even though it was the best decision. 💜🐈‍⬛❤️

I’m sorry for your loss too. It’s utterly heartbreaking isn’t it. I knew it would hurt but I’ve never cried as many tears as the last 2 days. I can’t face moving his blankets or even emptying his litter tray, although I will soon. I just hope there is a heaven.

Sorry to see it wasn’t good news 😢