Neurological problems?

[Tanya]

Hello

I have a ten year old cat who has recently spent twelve weeks in a crate due to having fluid on the knee. The rest worked and the fluid has gone BUT he now has weakness in his back legs and what appears to be fecal incontinance. He uses his litter tray to have a wee but his legs look like they loose all coordination while in the tray and he ends up balancing on the edge then as he walks away, poop drops on the floor. He can also be walking along and then some poop will fall out then he will crouch slightly as he walks and more poop will fall. Luckily, he is always doing it within sight of the tray (and on laminate flooring!).

He has been taken to the vets and they think it is a neurological Problem so will be referring him to a specialist. My vets did lots of blood tests last week (red, white blood cells, kidney and liver function, feline aids and leukaemia, toxoplasmosis, the list goes on). His red and white blood cells are fine, kidney and liver function fine, not got feline aids and leukaemia. Awaiting other results.

Has anybody ever had any similar symptoms to my boy? He is still happy but looks like he is drunk when walking and struggles to jump up and walk up the stairs. He doesn't appear to be in any pain and is still eating as normal.

Thanks, Tanya

[dinky]

Tanya, I'm so sorry to hear about your boy.I'm sorry I have had no experience with a cat that has similar symptoms to your lovely boy, but I do feel for you. Hopefully the specialist might offer some help. My colourpoint contracted toxoplasmosis as a kitten and he takes seizures as a result, but nothing like your guy.I'll keep your boy in my prayers and do let us know how he gets on at the specialist vet. All the best for you both.

[Tanya]

Thank you dinky.

We finally have a referral to see the Specialist in Neurology on Monday. Unfortunately I am a Primary School teacher so can't take him to the appointment but my husband is taking the day off work. £275 consultation and up to £3000 tests/treatment. Not thinking of the money, just hoping they can help our boy.

I will update after the appointment on Monday.

[dinky]

Oh Tanya, I have been praying for your lovely boy and I'm thrilled that you are getting him in to see a specialist. Do please let us know how the appointment goes on Monday. I'll be keeping everything crossed that things go well for him. It is expensive I know, but at least he's in good hands and hopefully something can be done to help him (and you).

I am also a teacher ,or rather I was a teacher. I taught for 8 years all up then left to have my first baby and somehow never went back. I ended up home schooling my own family.I hope you have a lovely bunch of children in your class this year.

All the best for Monday, Tanya. I'll be thinking of you all.

[Tanya]

Thank you dinky.

Alfie had an MRI which showed that he has a slipped disc. (Cost us just over £2000 to find this out) He was given pain relief and told to have strict cage rest for two weeks. It did nothing! He was then given a high dose of preds but that doesn't seem to be working either.

Alfie does not appear to be in pain but has no control over where and when his poop falls out. I need to keep him rested for another week then speak to the vet. I am sure there will be no change again.

The vet soicialist has given us a few options....

SURGERY: they will only have a 2mm area to play with and could paralyse him by doing the surgery. He would then have to be out to sleep. If the surgery did work, they said he would walk properly but they aren't sure it would correct his poop problem.

LEAVE HIM: Alfie is a house cat so can be monitored to some degree at all times. The vet said we could just given him free range of the house again and see what happens. The problem is the poop (and I have three children aged 6 years, 4 years and 1 year!) She said he may carry on and he won't regress. However, he could potentially get worse when doing more exercise.

We are thinking we should leave him but if he gets worse, then what do we do? The surgery is a massive risk for him (he also has a heart murmur).

[dinky]

Hi Tanya, sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you, but I have been thinking of Alfie and wondering how he was getting on. You poor thing and your poor cat. Have you decided what you are going to do yet? If he was my boy, I think I'd be inclined to leave him, rather than risk an operation, as long as he is not in pain.I know it must be difficult, especially with young children but I guess that you've been managing it for a while now and hopefully Alfie won't get any worse.You may have to keep him contained to certain rooms in the house. You sound like a wonderful cat mama, Tanya and I'll keep praying for Alfie that things get no worse. I do hope your vet lets you pay off the vet bill.Don't know why vets are so expensive !!!

Anyway Tanya, lots and lots of luck for both Alfie and you and do let us know how your lovely boy is doing...............dinky.