Cat losing control of his legs- any help please

[KatieBee25]

Hi everyone I previously posted this in the pets section and a lovely mumsnetter suggested moving it here...

hi all, need some help/ advice regarding our indoor cat Milo (12 year old indoor cat)
we took him to the vet's about a week ago as he wasn't eating, he doesn't jump up anymore , wasn't leaving his cat bed, lethargic and wobbly on his legs. Vet diagnosed him with dehydration after doing some bloods (all blood work was ok) so he spent the day on fluids via a drip and he seemed to perk up a bit... we've been adding lots of water to his food and he's using the litter tray so we know he's not dehydrated anymore,
Over the weekend he took another turn, same as before reluctance to eat his food- wouldn't finishing it and was seeming to lose control of his back legs, just seemed sad, not jumping up anywhere and just spending all his time hiding in his cat bed but not even settling . So we decided his quality of life is suffering so probably time to think about putting him to sleep -
HOWEVER Monday comes around and he's much happier again! Meowing (happily) calling for food, eating, seems more perky , enjoying a fuss and a stroke (still not jumping up but maybe that's because his age)
But tonight (Tuesday) he came out of his car bed for food and completely lost control of all his legs! Literally like Bambi on ice. We had to carry him over to his food bowl, after he'd eaten with help to stand, he's fine again?! Again as in fine I mean, he can walk around.. maybe slightly wobbly / weak but nothing majorly worrying . He still won't jump anywhere but he doesn't seem on deaths door.
I've no idea what to do as he's a very timid cat and hates the vet's, so don't want to put him through lots of tests (we don't have insurance for him so can't afford lots of investigations) but I don't like the idea of him being in any pain. When he does lose control of his legs he doesn't seem in pain just confused as to why he can't use them.
I will attach a photo for you to see what he went like when he did lose control of his legs, bless him. They literally just seem to slip and slide away from him. Any advice welcome 🙏🏻

He needs to go back to the vet to assess whether he is suffering or not.

He needs to go back to the vets sorry 😕 explain your financial situation and see what they might be able to do as the cheapest way forward x

Can you get a home visit and also email the vet the clip, we did that recently. I wonder if he has had a stroke, unfortunately although 12 is young, its not that young, I lost a cat at 11 due to a heart attack and another at 12 suspected stroke.

Please get a vet to see him. I woke up yesterday to a cat whose legs didn’t work. She was 18. Vet said she either had a clot or a spinal stroke. Her legs had been going and already on pain relief. She had an X-ray to see if a tumour. It wasn’t. However the chances of recovery was small and if it was a clot it would only get worse.
They might give him pain relief (selencia gave our cat a new lease of life) and see if that improves things. We put our old girl to sleep as decided it was time for her.

Oh poor thing and poor you. My cat did this - we called it ‘starfishing’ and initially it was on and off but eventually he got worse - he was severely anemic due to cancer - I’d get back to the vets for more complex blood tests and go from there x

Could also be damage to his spine - I have various issues with my lower back including pressure on the nerves and that comes & goes depending on the tiniest of things e.g. longer drive home yesterday due to traffic = taken me over 2 hours today to get my legs working properly, or a slip with a twisting motion my legs give way, or even they just go numb & collapse for a few moments for no apparent reason.

One way to look at this is see if his tail seems to work or not when his legs have "gone", if that goes limp & floppy at the same time then that indicates spinal damage - though from your photos his tail seems to be up?

Is he using the litter tray fine?

Oh its a black cat. Our lovely 14year old had this. He was pts. We miss him loads. I'm so 😞

My beautiful Suki had this just before her 19th birthday.
She collapsed in her litter tray and I found her there around 20 minutes after it happened.
I balled my eyes out and slept very close with her that night as I knew I would have to make the dreaded call to the vet in the morning.
But she rallied round, and just as I had the phone in my hand to call the vet she struggled a little but then managed to sit up, and actually made her own way down from the bed.
We had another 6 months together and I never found out what had caused the temporary paralysis in her back legs, but suspect it was a stroke.
I hope Milo recovers.

Thank you so much everyone. Will ring the vets now as he's been fine over night , using litter tray, down waiting for his food this morning but sadly he's just come out his cat bed for his second serving of food (we feed them little and often) and he's lost control of his legs :-(

I'm really sorry, that's absolutely not right. Our almost 11 year old indoor cat has an issue with her kneecaps and has monthly injections which massively helps. She only limped on and off before the injection, seemed stiff but never was she unable to stand. My childhood cat was 19 when we had her pts because sadly she became unable to move or stand. I would definitely get your cat seen again because something is wrong.

No I agree something definitely not right, still waiting for a callback from the vet. What's hard is that my husband doesn't think he needs to be PTS, he says it's cruel to put him to sleep as when he's not having a loss of control in his legs he seems okay.

I disagree, he doesn't jump up anymore is wobbly on his legs most of the time and obviously when his legs have completely gone it's awful for him. It does only last for a few minutes but still I feel like it's cruel to keep him going without treating him!

sorry just needed a rant.not being married would be easier 😂

Not that we've made any decision to put him to sleep but I think it might end up happening :-(

Oh my gosh you poor thing. What a shock. I'm so sorry, I wish I had something better to say. 💔💕

Oh gosh op, have you heard from the vets yet? It sounds like your husband is in denial.
These things are incredibly hard to process, especially when it's so out of the blue. They are little heart breakers. 🐈‍⬛

Thank you! I’m remarkably ok. She was on borrowed time. I’m just glad it was obvious and didn’t go on for weeks like my last cat. She spent her time between vet appointments sunbathing which she hasn’t done for a long time. I think she knew. Also I have double exam season so glad it was now not then. My 18 year old DS came with me as was his companion. There were a lot of tears. But it was the right thing for her.

Poor puss. Hope you get to the bottom of it. He looks so cute. X

My cat was very ill over xmas
My vet was not getting to the bottom of the issue
I asked for a referral to a higher level of vet - you can do this - it is like private health care you can ask for a referral to a higher level of vet - there are high level vet clinics who have extremely good vets and far better diagnostic equipment and more highly qualified and experienced vets than your local vet will have
They only work on a referral basis so you own vet has to send a referral
They will then get in touch with you
ibn my case what looked very grim is now fine
PLEASE do this- many people do not realiser that this option is available.
Best of luck tom you and your lovely puss.
Thinking of you
S xxx

But that costs an awful lot of money. If you have insurance, brilliant if not, then you need to make pragmatic decisions.

OP has said she doesn't have insurance and can't afford lots of investigations.
OP - my heart goes out to you.

I don't have any advice about your cats condition, although it does sound quite serious.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to access charity vets, such as blue cross. You need to Google these and search with your postcode.

Thanks all I really appreciate your replies and moral support ❤️
Had a phonecall from the vet this afternoon and she thinks it is neurological or maybe mini strokes and something quite serious. We've booked to take him in on Friday morning to see the vet but sadly I do think it'll be to put him to sleep.
Poor milo hasn't had a very good day, staggering around when he comes out of his cat bed, not that interested in eating food (which is usually his favourite thing to do!), seems confused and losing his balance etc. It's so sad because I feel like 12 isn't that old but sadly I think it's time to say goodbye as it's the best for him.
The vet said it's not just a wait and see thing as his quality of life is suffering and if we don't want to put him through investigations and treatments to find out the cause and if it's even treatable then the kindled thing is to put him to sleep x

😞

Big hugs OP and hugs to Milo. Cuddle him tight but if he gets much worse please take him in before Friday. And make sure he doesn’t go outside or keep an eye if he does . Apparently they can take themselves off somewhere if they don’t feel great.

Oh and can you give him any pain relief in the meantime?

@KatieBee25how did it go yesterday. Hope all ok?