What's wrong with my cat? Is it old age?

Question

Sorry for going too much in detail, but maybe someone can help by looking at my cat's medical history...

My cat is 11 years old, and he has always been very playful and crazy, jumping around and running laps around the house. (By the way, he is an indoor cat).
 
A few months ago, he had an Urethrostomy, for those who don't know, it's a surgical method for alleviating urethral obstruction in cats with complicated or recurrent obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease. Since the surgery, he has been very well and fortunately, no more bladder complications.

2 weeks ago, I started noticing that he seemed to be struggling climbing the couch or bed, and very reluctant to jump. It seems that his back paws are weaker. He also stopped playing with his favorite toys and sleeps more then usual... a bit lethargic...

I took him to the vet, but it's very difficult to examine him because he gets extremely aggressive, so the vet had to give him a sedative. An x-ray was made and the vet didn't see anything. His bladder looked great and no injuries in the spinal chord and tail as well as the rest of the body. He's been eating well and drinking water and going to the litter, so that's good. However, he still seems to be struggling with the back paws. He seems a little bit better because I've been giving him pain killers, but today, I managed to touch the back of his spine, and he meowed and bit me. I guess he's still in pain and I found where it hurts.
What can it be?

PR · Accepted Answer

I would suspect a bladder or kidney infection. Our kitty started limping or wobbling down the stairs, and it quickly went to loss of use of his hind legs, within the matter of a couple days. They could not find anything the matter. But eventually he was urinating blood.

Take him to a different vet for an assessment. Ask if either the first, or the new vet, can try a round of antibiotics just in case. Get this figured out right away before he potentially loses the use of his hind legs. At that point there is nothing you can do. By the way, age 11 isn't that old, he should be able to get to about age 16 or 18.

Have they checked for consipating? Watch his litter for very dry poop. BUT, get a second opinion right away.

ZotsRule · Answer

If he's struggling with his back paws it could be this cat had a stroke and is partially paralyzed.  Get him back to the vet.  What "pain killers" are you giving this cat????

FYI 11 years old is hardly "old age".  I have a TWENTY TWO year old cat - TWICE the age of your cat!!!! and she is still perfectly healthy!

DonnaB · Answer

Wow! This brings back very sad memories.

Many years ago, my cat Otis had to have a Urethrostomy when he was around 1 yr old due to his urethra rupturing due to stress and strain brought on by an injury to his lower back when he was a around 3 wks old. I was constantly treating his belly with silvadene for urine burns since the surgical procedure directed the urine out of a hole in his belly. He suffered so much before I finally realized how selfish I was to not want to let go. I realized his quality if life was not what I would want for my self so I chose to put him rest when he was just 1 1/2 yrs old. Broke my heart.

If you do not realize that your cat is totally aware of his health issues then you have a lot to learn. If the Dr found nothing wrong then I would say he is suffering from depression.

? · Answer

Random people on YA can't diagnose your kitty, he needs to be seen by a vet!

Anonymous · Answer

he obviously has a sore spot. tell the vet.

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What's wrong with my cat? Is it old age?

5 Answers