Desperate for Help

[Courtneyafoley]

Good Afternoon!
This is my very first time seeking help in this way, so in advance I'd like to apologize if I am starting in the wrong place. I am very desperate.

My 20-month old, male cat has had a sudden on-set of the following:
*Cannot jump on or off anything - his legs buckle from under him when ever he jumps off of something and he lands on his face.

*Will only walk a short distance before laying down or will randomly sway while walking.

*Sleeping an abnormal amount.

So, basically something is wrong. In the last week I have seen several vets and spent several hundreds of dollars. ALL tests (blood, X-Ray, etc.) have come back normal. He does though, seem generally happy. Still plays, eats drinks, using litter box fine. His brother is fine.

Each vet I've visited is exploring ideas, but I feel so anxious and powerless!!!

Has anyone ever experienced this? Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions?

I am so worried. Please help!

[davet]

again ask your vet if a couple days of low dose pred will help..if it does then he/she will have a pretty good idea that this is spinal cord related....

[Auntie Debbie]

Could be a spinal cord condition as davet suggests. If possible you should see a specialist on this since your regular vet can't diagnose ot.
Another idea might be Vestibular Disease. This is where the cat will lose its equilibrium. Symptoms would include loss of balance, inabilibty to focus, wobbly gait, hugging the walls while walking and nystagmus (eye twitching back and forth).
Vestibular Disease is just another idea, but your kitty needs further diagnostics. I hope it isn't something serious. Please let us know how he is doing, ok?

[Traci]

Another possibility to add to Davet's and Debbie's is neurological disfunction, especially if your kitten suffered a previous virus of unknown origin (distemper as a neonatal) or a trauma of some sort. I am assuming luxating patellar or poor bone development problems have been ruled out?

In this case, since none of your vets have an answer, perhaps the best thing to do would be to consult a feline specialist (your vets should be able to refer you or even consult on your behalf)

[CourtneyaFoley]

Hello!
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my call for help.

So far, what is most troubling is that the vets (2 in one office and 1 in another) all seem to think that it is something at the neurological level. Could that be the result of a spinal injury? Or a parasite? Or worms? Can any of these things be overlooked or misdiagnosed?

At each office, I have been told how healthy and happy my cat (Squash is his name) appears to be! That is great of course, but it does not comfort me when my cat has lost all vivaciousness.

He has always been so active and adventurous - so initially I assumed that he had hurt himself playing, but the vets do not feel he is INJURED as much as they feel he has some sort of condition.

I think I will be restless until I know and understand what is happening to him and how I can help him.

I pray, pray, pray that it is just something temporary, but it has been three weeks now and I do not know how to help him!

I will keep you all posted...

[MA]

I would also suggest if you are close to a small animal vet college to ask for a referral to there so your cat can be seen there. Good luck!