What's wrong with my kitty?

[momofive]

I have a male cat, about 11 years old. He's been acting poorly for a few months, losing weight, his last checkup revealed nothing of signficance except some decreased renal function.

He has been limping for a few weeks, we thought it was arthritis and were going to take him to the vet, then yesterday he suddenly lost control of his back left side. He appears to walk in circles, like he's dragging the leg. We took him to the ER clinic (the vet was closed), all they did was some blood work, wanted to test for FLV but we declined due to costs and didn't think it was addressing the issue, anyways. They gave sq fluids and sent him home.

We saw his vet this morning, he's still limping, the vet said it could be his thyroid and took a blood test, the results won't be back until tomorrow. He still has the same symptoms, lack of control of his back hind quarters, especially on the left side.

He is eating and drinking, grooms, and tries to use the litter box but can't manage it, we have him a shallow pan and help him, he paws at it then just flops over.He did manage to go, poor baby, he keeps wanting to use his "big box" in the garage but can't climb in.

I really think he has a dislocated hip or perhaps broken bone. Why don't they x-ray it? Also, how is a dislocated hip diagnosed and treated?

Any ideas or suggestions appreciated, I don't think hypothyroid would cause him to limp and favor one side.

[columbine]

That almost sounds like nerve damage or a back injury. I'd get a second opinion if I were you.

Love, Columbine

[Freedom]

How worrisome!

I don't see how a thyroid problem could cause this back leg issue. So I agree with Columbine, seek out a second opinion.

I don't understand what the ER vet did at all.

[momofive]

That almost sounds like nerve damage or a back injury. I'd get a second opinion if I were you.

Love, Columbine

Yes, I agree, it sounds like some sort of nerve damage or perhaps a stroke.

I do so agree with your tag about if you can't afford vet care don't get a pet!

But it just isn't always that easy. When we adopted Benard our finances were different, we're both laid off now and barely getting by. But we did take him to the ER and vet, seems like they're dropping the ball.

I agree a second opinion is warrented, but we could barely afford the first one

We don't want him in pain, we will see what the thyroid test shows tomorrow and how he fares, but...............we're starting to think he may have to be PTS. If it is a dislocated hip or nerve damage the treatment would be too expensive and wouldn't cure anything, we don't want him to spend his remaining days in pain.

Poor baby, he's such a proud kitty, he still keeps trying to use his regular litter box, he doesn't want to use the small one we provided for him. I tried lifting him in it, he urinated some, but he doesn't have the back leg control to "squat' and pass urine or stool. I'm afraid he will back up and be in horrible pain. Tonight I'm staying up with him all night, he's in a comfortable box in my office where I can keep an eye on him, but he can't function on his own.

If your funds are limited don't go to an ER, they charge 4x as much as a regular vet. I got the impression they lost interest in us when we said we couldn't pay the $795 they wanted for a complete workup. She just flounced off to the next customer. I wish I could finc a caring, compassionate vet who could just give an opinion without costing a fortune, but its all about the money!

[momofive]

Here's what the ER did:

Exam
complete profile
Subcutaneous fluids total $320


Buprenex
cysto by ultrasound
urinalysis multistix
blood pressure

total $176


Kept wanting to do a FLV test when they found out he's an outdoor cat, couldn't get past that. FLV wouldn't cause those symptoms.

[momofive]

They said his hind leg muscles are weak, duh? I know that, why? I suspect a hip dislocation, it could be a gradual thing and just slipped out.

The problem came on suddenly yeserday, he "yowled" and was mouth breathing, but he hasn't appeared to be in pain since, probably something dislocated and he's not in pain now, except discomfort, but he needs help.

The problem is, by the time we figure out what's wrong we won't be able to afford the treatment!

[Moesha]

I really hope you can find out what is wrong with your boy. An X-ray certainly seems like the obvious thing to me. Perhaps if you explain the situation to your vet, you may be able to make payments. Others have mentioned a program called Care Credit. You can check out that option at www.carecredit.com. I am glad you are doing all you can to help your sweet kitty. Please keep us posted.

[Kater]

I really think he has a dislocated hip or perhaps broken bone. Why don't they x-ray it? Also, how is a dislocated hip diagnosed and treated?

Any ideas or suggestions appreciated, I don't think hypothyroid would cause him to limp and favor one side.

...you'd think they'd focus more on the obvious symptoms he presents with, his back leg is obviously comprimised somehow, how could that be hypothyroid?

The veterinarians might not x-ray because they feel other things are more likely. However, an outdoor cat can experience trauma that the owner is unaware of, so I'm not sure I'd be quick to dismiss some sort of bodily trauma. A dislocated hip is usually diagnosed with palpation and radiographs. In cats it is commonly treated with a surgical procedure called a femoral head osteotomy. My dog actually had this procedure on his left hip. Cats generally do very well with this surgery and recover function nicely.

Did they palpate the leg and asses whether he had pain? I saw you wrote that they described 'muscle weakness', but never 'pain' and so this would not generally match a broken bone or dislocated hip.

Cats are likely to have HYPERthyroidism. It is very unlikely that they were looking for hypothyroid (common in dogs). Hyperthyroidism could cause the weight loss (despite normal eating habits) and restlessness/agitation/vocalization/aggressiveness ("yowling"). In addition you might also see goiter, unkept haircoat, increased urination, increased thirst, increased heart rate or vomiting/diarrhea. It is seen more commonly in older cats.

Hypothyroid could definitely cause the signs you are seeing. It can cause muscle weakness (myopathy) or limb paralysis/weakness. Thyroxin is an very important hormone in the body and has many functions. However, I don't think hypothyroidism has ever been seen in cats.

FeLV (feline leukemia virus) testing was probably pushed because you would want to rule it out early. You would be very upset to do lots of other (expensive) testing only to later find out your cat has an incurable virus. This virus can cause increased incidence of infectious diseases, bone marrow disorders and even cancer. These sequealae can sometimes cause signs like pain or paralysis.

I was wondering if you knew more about the stage of the renal disease? Usually it can't be detected until it is already pretty bad (unless they used a particular test for early detection). Were they interested in treating it at this point?

I know the weakness and circling are the most obvious symptoms to you, but often the most obvious symptoms aren't always the most telling. These types of signs could be due to a wide variety of things that are not directly related to the musculoskeletal or nervous system.

I'm a bit confused as to whether you've seen your regular vet after the ER visit. If not, then ignore what I am about to write. However, if you honestly think your regular vet is doing a poor job, then you should probably get a recommendation and try another. It is true that a lot of vets are not particularity comfortable with working up neurological problems (they can be difficult/complicated), so it might be worth looking for someone with a proven track record in that area. However, you are right that in the case of a neurologic diagnosis there are generally few treatment options.

I hope I've made sense and provided useful information. The more I learn about medicine, the more I realize that it is very very complex. Please keep us updated and let me know if you have any questions for me.

Hugs to your kitty!

[momofive]

We did take him back to his regular vet after the ER visit, he went back twice. The vet took a thyroid test, went back the next day (yesterday) said it was high, prescribed medication, come back in two weeks. I protested that his symptoms indicated something other than thyroid, he checked his hind legs, no dislocation or fractures, but didn't do x-ray (he doesn't express pain upon exam).

But he's crippled! Its painful to watch. He can stand only with difficulty, walks 4-5 steps, circles, then flops. How could that be due to thyroid? the vet says its weak muscles due to hyperthyroid, but it would be more uniform, not particularly in one leg.

I feel we're being brushed off. Bernard doesn't appear to be in any pain or other distress, walking a little more today but no real improvement. I will definitely seek another opinion if there's not a marked improvement by tomorrow, this just isn't sitting right with me.

[Medusa]

I'm a big one for trusting your instincts and I'm w/you, it isn't sitting right w/me either. Definitely seek a second and/or third opinion. It may very well be what s/he said but s/he should strive to put your mind at ease about your beloved furbaby. If you feel that you're being given the brushoff, then waste no more time w/this vet. S/he works for you and not the other way around. Good luck. I hope your kitty gets some relief soon, poor baby.

[momofive]

Benard is acting somewhat better today, but no real recovery. I've found a speciality referral clinic in town, will take him there Monday if no real improvement. why wait that long? Can't get an appointment until then, in the meantime, there's the good old ER!

But some great news! We do have insurance on Benard! We carried VPI for about 2 years, then decided to cancel it as part of our budget cutbacks. Well, apparently it was a clerical error, but he still has insurance. yes, I know, it doesn't pay the whole bill, our experience has been dissappointing in the past with what VPI actually pays, but its better than footing the whole bill.

Its sad when medical decisions are based in part on finances, but that's the reality of life. But its a balancing act, we would never let Benard suffer and would always seek the best care possible for the circumstances. Sometimes, its truly not a matter of money, anyways. We had a cat with cancer, spent about $6000 trying to save her, in the end the cancer got her, we had her PTS, I really think we went too far trying to treat her, she suffered too much. Our finances were different then, too. But it all comes down to a quality of life. I'd much rather take care of my pets than buy myself some useless luxury, anyways.

Benard acts somewhat better today. He does walk all over the house, but with difficulty. He continues to walk and flop, at times supports himself along the wall. Its heartbreaking to watch him struggle to his litter box, he's determined to use "his" box, not the convenient, shallow pan we've provided for him in the bathroom. He still has his pride and dignity. I stayed up with him all night last night, just kept him in my office with food, water, litter, he still insists on going to his familiar food, water and litterplaces. Its pitiful to watch him struggle, we keep trying to make it easy for him, but he's got his dignity.

Whatever this is, it isn't thyroid. A friend of mine has hyperthyroid, and she doesn't walk like that!

[Moesha]

That's good news to know that you have some assistance in paying for Benard's expenses. It's also good to hear that he does seem to be improving. I hope that he keeps doing that and that eventually you will be able to get a definite diagnosis. Thanks for keeping us posted. Have we seen a picture of your dear kitty yet? *hint*

[momofive]

Here's a picture of Benard!

[allmycats]

glad to hear he's doing better! I know it's hard to see them sick... where is the picture?

[momofive]

Ummm...................can't get the pic to load, will try again

He's continuing to do better, walking around the house, doesn't appear to be in pain, still weak, but on the up hill.