What can cause a cat to have wobbly back legs?
The most common cause of rear limb paralysis in cats is a blood clot that goes to the back leg, called a saddle thrombus or arterial thromboembolism (ATE). This clot blocks blood flow to the affected limb(s). A clot in the back leg suddenly causes the cat to be unable to put full weight on the affected leg.
Why is my cat wobbly when walking?
The most common sign of ataxia, regardless of the cause, is an abnormal gait in which the cat is very unsteady on her feet. Cats may stand with their feet wide apart in an effort to stay upright. They may generally have a head tilt toward the side of the lesion in vestibular syndrome.
What would cause a cat to lose its balance?
Conditions such as middle- and inner-ear infections are common causes of the disease. Tumors are a less common cause but must be considered, especially in older cats. Exposure to certain toxins or drugs can also cause symptoms that mimic feline vestibular disease.
Can a cat recover from saddle thrombosis?
The cat will need heart medication, blood thinners, and nursing care while the rear legs recover. Median survival of saddle thrombus cats with heart failure is 77 days while median survival of saddle thrombus cats without heart failure is 223 days.
How painful is saddle thrombus?
Clinical signs of saddle thrombus reflect loss of blood supply to one or both hind limbs and usually come on suddenly/acutely and severely. Often the most striking clinical sign is vocalization. This condition is very painful, usually causing the cats to cry excessively.
Are blood clots in cats painful?
To stabilise the cat, oxygen and fluid therapy are given. These are important to raise the blood pressure and try and help oxygen reach the rest of the tissues. As blood clots are very painful, strong pain relief is given as well.
How do you treat a stroke in a cat?
How Are Cat Strokes Treated in Cats?
- Oxygen therapy to improve oxygen delivery to damaged brain tissue and promote healing.
- Seizure medications for cats to control seizures or reduce pressure within the skull, if necessary.
- Management of any underlying conditions.
- Maintaining hydration and adequate nutrition.
Why does my cat not walk on her back legs?
But when a cat has problems walking or putting weight on its back legs, it’s much harder to hide. Weakness and stiffness can be due to bone, ligament, muscle problems, nerve damage, neurological issues, or organ failure. It can be triggered by injury (sprains, strains, and broken bones), or by a progressive disease, such as arthritis.
Why does my cat have a wobbly gait?
Ataxia (pronounced a-tak-sia) is defined as a loss of muscle coordination (incoordination/unsteady gait) which is caused by disorders that affect your cat’s sense of motion, and it is a symptom of an underlying condition and not a disease in itself. There are three clinical types of ataxia in cats, cerebellar, vestibular and sensory.
Why does my cat keep losing his balance?
Since his bloodwork was unremarkable, you are dealing with a hormonal or metalolic imbalance or an injury.Sensory loss like deminished hearing or sight could cause this symptom as well If he had a stroke he should improve in coming days. If he does not, you may have to do an MRI of the brain. In the meantime, keep him as quiet as possible.
What are the symptoms of weak back legs in cats?
Weak and stiff back legs in cats can come on suddenly, or more gradually. Symptoms that you may notice include: Lameness (limping) Struggling to stand; Slow or stiff walking; Unsteady back legs; Holding a leg off the floor while standing; Dragging the back paws; Legs giving out or collapsing; Paralysis – unable to move the legs at all
Why is my cat staggering when he tries to walk?
If your cat seems off balance or staggers when he tries to walk, it is very alarming. There are many causes for such abnormal behavior and it sometimes helps to know some of the possibilities. Staggering or falling over can be called ataxia.
How old is my cat when he loses his balance?
My cat suddenly started losing his balance and falling over. He does not appear to be in any pain and all tests (except cranial) have come back just fine. He is having a hard time walking or jumping without falling over. Reply to Terri Riba’s Post: He is only 9 years old.
Ataxia (pronounced a-tak-sia) is defined as a loss of muscle coordination (incoordination/unsteady gait) which is caused by disorders that affect your cat’s sense of motion, and it is a symptom of an underlying condition and not a disease in itself. There are three clinical types of ataxia in cats, cerebellar, vestibular and sensory.
Why does my cat have a false sense of balance?
Ataxia, Vestibular Disease in Cats. The vestibulocochlear nerve carries information concerning balance from the inner ear to the brain. Damage to the vestibulocochlear nerve can cause changes in head and neck position, as the affected animal may feel a false sense of movement, or may be having problems with hearing.
