Hind Leg Weakness problem--severe. Help!

[jetblacktib]

Hi,

I have a 14 year old Chocolate Point Siamese male (Nikki) and he recently went into decline with his rear legs. One month ago he could jump up on the bathroom sink to drink from the tap. Now he has to be carried up and down stairs and has little coordination of his rear end which looks very weak and that there has been musle mass loss. I doubt that it is arthritus as it has happened to quickly.

I found this site: http://www.petdiabetes.org/legs.htm and it seems to be on point with Nikki's condition.

I have included a video to better demonstrate and explain his problem as it is something you need to see to understand fully.
View Video Here


If anyone could help out and recommend a cure that would awesome. This cat has an irreplaceable personality that is worth the effort.

Thanks in advance

[Marty]

The video won't show for me, but I strongly urge you to take your cat to a Vet for diagnosis. You can't guess at these things... We are here for help and support, but cannot diagnose. Your kitty counts on your help....

[Traci]

Get Nikki to your vet immediately and opt for a complete blood profile and x-rays. There are various reasons he may be weak, but due to his age, you cannot afford to wait to find out. It could be anything from renal disease to heart failure, your vet is the only one who can examine/test him to accurately diagnose.

Do not wait on this, get Nikki to your vet NOW.

[jetblacktib]

He has been to the Vet 3 times this month. The Vet said it could be an infection and gave use some antibiotics. I will take him in for a third opinion.

[Traci]

If your vet is by chance, a large animal practitioner, nix him and get kitty to a small animal or feline-only vet ASAP.

If your vet never did bloodwork or x-rays, he may have missed vital organ disfunction that could be progressing to a worsening condition. Again, do not wait on this, get Nikki to a new vet ASAP (tomorrow)

[jetblacktib]

I will take him in first thing tomorrow.

Through my research and other online help this is my conclusion with the information that I have.

* Niki has the periphial neropathy shown by the un-coordination in his rear legs, weakness and loss of muscle mass happening over a short period of time. Caused in due of imporper management of his diabetes and improper diet consisting of Iams weight loss formula dry and Mature Cats wet formula. Also he was fed a lot of raw eggs and sardines later to be found out to be high in salt. During that period he had a high water intake and developed a passion for drinkinng for the bathroom sink tap which showed inbalance in his diabetes.

The Solution (which I will get a vets approval)

1. Immediately start using the gluco meter to micro manage his insulin.
2. Take away free feed privillages and discontinue dry formula
3. Replace wet food with high protien & high fat low in carbs w/ high fibre to help stablize blood glucose levels and rebuild loss muscle mass.
4. Administer Methylcobalamin a form of vitamin B-12 that several cat owners have used and reported seeing rapid improvement in their pet's legs.
5. In a month begin a light exercise routine to start helping build strength.



Does this sound good / accurate? Should I be hearing that from the vet on Monday?

[Traci]

Did I misinterpret you? Was Nikki actually diagnosed with diabetes, and if so, when, and why isn't your vet addressing this?

To answer the following:

1) your vet will discuss with you whether or not a glucose meter is necessary. Glucose curves should be done in the clinic for accuracy.

2) your vet should have prescribed an appropriate diet for managing diabetes and for Nikki's individual needs as they apply. Depending on his needs will depend on amount to feed, type of diet, etc.

3) same as #2, only your vet should be prescribing the appropriate diet, there are many veterinary diets available for this purpose. It should be chosen on palatability, response, glucose levels and insulin regulation, and/or weight management.

4) vitamin b-12 should not be used unless under strict supervision and direction of your vet.

5) depending on his weight, pending any diagnosed arthritic conditions, etc will depend on your vet's advise for exercise/activity.

Please do not rely on internet web sites for accurate information, when you and your vet need to work together in determining Nikki's specific needs and treatment. Do not take it into your own hands to treat your cat, and do not self-medicate him.

If he has in fact been accurately diagnosed with diabetes, your vet needs to be working on this with you (insulin, regulating insulin, appropriate diet, glucose curves, supplements only if required based on labwork, etc). If Nikki has not been accurately diagnosed, then you need to get him to a competent feline vet who will test for diabetes and other potential organ disfunction. If he isn't doing this, it's time you see a new feline vet and get this diagnosed/treated/managed appropriately, and test for other associated health conditions.

[Phoebe's human]

Your vet should spell out exactly what his diet should be, at his advanced age. I hope you take that advice and follow it to the letter.

Table scraps, for instance, can harm a cat with chronic health problems.

I watched the video, and your cat's leg difficulties aren't like the ones I observed in my previous cat.

My cat developed rear leg immobility just after an anesthetic was given for a dental workup. It lasted about a day after I brought her home.

Then a couple of years later she had hind leg weakness again, along with wasting. This was just before she died (of a probable liver tumor). A liver tumor can end a cat's life very, very fast.

The leg problems didn't come and go, though, as your cat's seem to be doing in the video.

I hope you can get some help for your cat.

[jetblacktib]

Thanks for all your wonderful advice.

I will print this out and take it with me when I take him in tomorrow and get all of this answers addressed by the vet.

This is a great community of help! Thanks for everything... I will let you know the findings of the visit.

[jetblacktib]

Update:

Nikki went into the vet last night and they did all the tests on him and gave him x-rays this time. Neuropathy has been ruled out as he has some leg damage from what appears from jumping off something too high. He will need reconstructive leg surgery to repair the damage or have his leg removed. The cost $1200 CND

It's absolutely heart breaking when he is such a happy healthy cat.

Unfortunately this is out of out of our financial abililty right now. I wouldn't normally do this but I have set up a donation site for anyone that can donate a dollar or two.

Please visit: Save Nikki

All the information regarding Nikki's episode will be placed there including vet bills, progress updates, etc.

If we can't raise the money by Monday March 28th, 2005 it will be refunded and we will have to let Nikki go.

Thank you for all your wonder help, support and amazing love towards cats.