Why are my cat's back legs not working (weak, wobbly, and stiff)? This clot blocks blood flow to the affected limb(s). A pint-sized kitten was brought to NOVA Cat Clinic in Arlington, Virginia for a chance at a better life. The medical term for this condition is called radial hypoplasia. Despite being unable to walk, the kitten was determined to change that. He runs, plays, chases, etc all the things that kittens do. What causes hind leg weakness in cats? She was brought in as a stray with a broken pelvis. Feline arthritis 6. Diabetes, organ failure, and neurological problems can cause the gradual weakening of a cat's rear legs. Cats with wobbly or weak hind legs will have trouble walking, climbing, and jumping. There are three clinical types of ataxia in cats, cerebellar, vestibular and sensory. He'd come running up the path to greet you (after what had happened to him that cat had amazing faith in human nature) and then flop over . 7. The second is called "August Disease" which is caused by a type of parasite. Usually, the back legs of a cat with kidney disease buckle unexpectedly or appear wobbly. Wobbly cat syndrome is a neurological condition. Hi, From your description, it's possible that your cat has developed diabetes, which can cause neuropathy in the hind legs. I cried watching her drag herself to the litter box. Cats with wobbly or weak hind legs will have trouble walking climbing and jumping. Cats can also develop weak and wobbly legs due to injury/trauma or falling from a height. A few days after the surgery, his back end is wobbly, for lack of a better term. I . A little wobbly kitten got back on his paws and walked again. Answer. He was always wobbly on his legs when he was backed up. Ataxia is the word used to describe a loss of coordination and balance that affects your cat's head, limbs, and/or torso. It smelt as if some pine sap was on his paw. She's not been hit by a car or anything, as this hasn't suddenly come on. 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. The summer heat can be hard on cats, so we must ensure they stay comfortable. A cat suffering from arthritis will usually show it by limping. Possible causes and reasons for wobbly back legs 1. Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, inflames the spinal cord due to an abnormal response to a coronavirus. The kitten, who she later named Emerson, had two legs that seemed to be hooked or curved. Spinal and Neurological Conditions Back injuries like slipped discs are also common in cats and can even affect cats at any age. It is more frequent when it is hot outside, but we have kept our . Taking your cat to the vet can help heal the injury and your cat will be prancing around again before you know it. The best thing you can do at this time, is have your cat evaluated by the vet, and also have routine bloodwork done. Kittens this age will begin to eat regular cat food, and will begin to use a litter box. Because a cerebellar hypoplasia cat has compromised balance and coordination, he should never be allowed alone outside. Cats often experience pain when the lower back is touched or moved. She can jump well (at least 1 meter off the ground) but isn't so good when landing. Signs to watch for include: "Wobbly" gait Clumsy movements Weakness Swaying Head tilting Leaning "Goose-stepping" (abnormally high steps) Tremors Vomiting Abnormal eye movements Behavioral changes Types Electra is a 6-month-old kitten from Medina, Ohio. (Cardiff South Wales UK) My 12 year old male persian cat who has suffered from Uninary Tract problems in the past, but has been fine until today. If your cat is kept solely indoors . Hind Leg Weakness: Yang Floating works for arthritis. Questions About Cats. By Dr. Cristina J. Walsh. Basically, she doesn't always land on her feet. Any joint in the body can be affected and back legs joints are no exception. 2. Wow! Minor injuries can too be responsible for a cat wobbly walking on its back legs. Feline cerebellar hypoplasia is a non-progressive, non-contagious neurological condition that results in walking and balance problems. A variety of infections -- viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic -- can affect the spinal cord, leading to rear leg weakness in cats. 15 Reasons Your Old Dogs Back Legs Are Collapsing - Natural Pets Hq In 2021 Dogs Dog Health Tips Old Dogs . Bacterial or Viral Infection In the latter stages, your kitty's breath will smell like ammonia. Some older cats are prone to getting constipated. Once affected, your kitty's potassium levels often . Behavioral changes: Hiding, confusion, social . Realizing this kitty would need special attention, Ellie volunteered to help. She does get a bit miffed when we laugh at her though As he is sitting, his knee seems to move back and forth (wobble). You must observe one of the common diseases that attacked most of the senior cat's is reduced mobility and walk wabble. If your cat is a 'senior' (6 yrs. Cat Walking Weird With Back Legs Stiff Wobbly Weak Legs . :yikes When I read the title of wobbly back legs, it reminded me of my Reilly who had a degenerating condition where he progressively lost more and more control/use of his back legs over a period of about 3yrs. This caused his legs to spread apart and his tail to stick out an angle with a kink in it. She also often stretches her back legs out when walking around. The most common reason for a cat to develop wobbly or weak back legs is due to old age. Why Are My Cat's Back Legs Not Working (Weak, Wobbly, and Stiff)? Moving forward, today 17 May 2020, my male cat, Gabriel, came in from the outside shaking his left hind leg when walking. Trauma As a Cause of Sudden Rear Limb Weakness in an Old Cat Being hit by a car, falling from a height, or being accidentally struck or stepped upon can cause a senior cat's back legs to suddenly become weak, says Dr. Jules Benson, BVSc, chief veterinary officer with NationwideDVM, a pet insurer company. He tends to wobble and his back end almost falls over occasionally if he moves quickly. The cause is unknown. Epilepsy. The range and severity of signs associated with ataxia will vary greatly depending on the type of ataxia present, and the cause of the occurrence. The temperatures that cats can cope with are different from . What can cause a cat to have wobbly back legs? This caused his legs to spread apart and his tail to stick out an angle with a kink in it. well the cat is getting back to normal at last. My cat (adopted from shelter) has recently started stumbling. You must observe one of the common diseases that attacked most of the senior cat's is reduced mobility and walk wabble. Our kitten of about 5 months was neutered about two weeks ago. Read More. However the vet insisted if I didn't my cats back legs could go. Thank you! Sudden Back Leg Weakness In Old Cats 3 Common Causes Scary Symptoms . I have just noticed that he has been wobbly on his back legs, and that he holds his tail up in an arch and it seems to shiver when he walks. Other signs include a loss of paw position sense, muscle wasting, or weakened reflexes in the hind legs. (Cardiff South Wales UK) My 12 year old male persian cat who has suffered from Uninary Tract problems in the past, but has been fine until today. This is a painful condition that occur as a result of joint inflammation. Drop-Ins Brief . Arthritis may be the underlying cause for wobbly hind legs in older cats. Vet was not interested, said maybe the parasite was back and gave me wormer. She will also avoid stairs and other places that involve . The aspirin was to prevent blood clots. This section of the brain is common in most animals, including felines, and it tends to . The best way to determine the actual cause, according to Pet MD, is to examine the symptoms that lead to paralysis in the back legs. Cerebellar hypoplasia, sometimes called wobbly cat syndrome, is a congenital condition in cats that is neither contagious nor progressive. The blood clots can also go to the front legs or to the brain. Cat wobbly on his back legs. Services Walking Get their steps in. A kitten is born with "CH" when her cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls fine motor skills and coordination, is underdeveloped at birth. A strong-willed kitten who was found unable to walk, has made a complete turnaround with the help of a kind couple. We have noticed however that she seems a little odd/wobbly on her back legs. But there are also two other types of ataxia that can lead to wobbly movements in cats: Vestibular ataxia: This type of ataxia is caused by a problem with the inner ear or the nerves from the inner ear to the brain. The cerebellum is a section of the brain responsible for intentional movement and coordination. Following her neutering, for 48 hours she had no control over her hind legs. A cat that stumbles, walks with stiff legs, or shakes its head frequently may have cerebellar hypoplasia, a brain disease that affects muscle control and movement. The sudden onset of symptoms for your Toby, suggests to me, an . This happened to my cat many years ago. "He was relinquished to us due to him experiencing some decline and acting a bit . Just now, at 12:40 GMT, my cat was shaking his right hind leg because a bit of paper was stuck to his paw. When I came home Daisy would not use the litter box. Its scientific name is cerebellar hypoplasia, and felines with this condition are often abbreviated to CH cats. Hi, have a problem with one of my cats,"Tammy" a week ago she started walking slowly and slightly wobbly, we took her to the vet who diagnosed her with a water infection which was possibly brought on by stress,she gave us antibiotics.Over the course of the weekend the cat went from walking crablike to just dragging her hind legs behind her,my wife took her to see the vet who could not give us . Other spinal conditions can also occur from the inflammation or the muscle or nerves, infection, or even cancer. Keep your cat indoors-only. You are reading: Old cat back legs not working. These include excessive salivation and loss of urinary and bowel control. She had a smallholding and he was safe there. Cats may have weak and wobbling paws due to injury, trauma, or falling from a height. He will be prone to injuries and cannot protect himself well against predators. It is not normal for cats to drag their back legs. As cats get older, they may experience pain and stiffness in their joints which can make it difficult for them to move around as they once did. Active dying signs: Physical signs: Noisy or laboured breathing, decreased or absent appetite, difficulty swallowing, confusion, lethargy, unkempt appearance, weight loss, decreased or absent urination and bowel movements, odour, drop in body temperature, restlessness, urinary/fecal incontinence. Cats can also develop weak and . Diabetes 3. Cats with cerebellar hypoplasia should ideally be kept indoors, or if necessary, have access to a safely-fenced garden or run. Finn the kitten Ellen Carozza LVT @thecatlvt. My 2-yr-old cat's hind legs have been shaking / trembling everyday for a month now, and it's becoming more vigorous each time after meal, even his chest is p. She is now slightly under-weight, sleeps 24/7, and is getting wobbly with her hind legs. There are three main types of ataxia in cats: You may wish to walk him on a leash or build a protected "catio" structure instead. The medical term for this condition is called radial hypoplasia . The first mission was to ride couple bikes to a picnic area, eat the food there, and then bike back. Feline aortic thromboembolism 5. She is exactly the same ( walks like she has been nicking my wine) vet reckond that an infection in the womb caused her to be a bit wonky on her back legs. His problem was a spinal cancer. It doesn't seem to be bothering him, I just want to make sure . Realizing this kitty would need special attention, Ellie volunteered to help. by Sue tasher. Diabetes, organ failure, and neurological problems can cause gradual weakening of the cat's hind limbs. A small amount each day kept him going most of the time. My Cat Cant Walk . One is CH - but that affects the entire body, and the head shakes when they're interested or excited. 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). In some animals it makes them walk around in circles. All of her brothers and sisters have found their furrever homes, but she has been left behind, because she walks like she's drunk. or older), in addition to the routine senior blood panel, a T4 thyroid test should be done. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of back leg stiffness in cats that are aged 10+. An inner ear infection can cause vertigo in a cat. Other symptoms include frequent urination, weak stream when urinating, lethargy, lack of appetite and a poor-looking coat. This we know as all CH cats have some sort of damage to or underdevelopment of the cerebellum. Your cat may be walking likes he's drunk because he is suffering from an inner ear infection. Although there can be a number of causes, one of the most common and painful in cats is a saddle thrombus. 20/01/2011 21:26 Hello Our 19 year old cat has suddenly developed wobbly back legs and twice in the last couple of days has slightly staggered to the side when walking. I used to give him Royal Canin fibre response. by Richard Parker. Back leg stiffness is common in older cats, but it can affect younger cats and kittens. Now, he's ready for a new chapter in life. Hi this has come on fast. Spinal pain and partial paralysis in two or four legs are common symptoms for this illness. If your cat is old or if she has had a some sort of head trauma she may have suffered a stroke of some sort. She kept Vincent because as a kitten he'd been used as a football by some (censoreds) - sorry about distressing detail - and throughout his life he was wobbly. Make sure they are microchipped so that they can be easily identified if they escape too. Kidney failure brings with it a host of nasty symptoms, including the possibility for rear leg weakness. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of back leg stiffness in cats aged 10+. Why are my cat's back legs not working (weak, wobbly, and stiff)? Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of hind leg stiffness in cats over the age of 10. Aug 11, 2009. His front legs are strong, but it's like his back legs are having trouble balancing themselves. The vet says it is a brain thing that some kittens get, but most outgrow it," Save Ohio Strays volunteer Sandy Barnosky said. 3. A cerebellum's growth can be stunted by a . Outside fences and gates can be difficult for them to manoeuvre and can result in injury. Video #3 Bella our Kitten weak wobbly back legs 9,940 views Apr 22, 2013 16 Dislike Share Save Blaster2006SE 17 subscribers Subscribe Here is another video of her and you can see how she is able to. A clot in the back leg suddenly causes the cat to be unable to put full weight on the affected leg. Hip dysplasia 7. Hi, I am knew to this. Shortly after this I left home for two days, my mom watched the cats for me. Even though she seemed to recover, a year later she started having balance problems associated with weak back legs. But, as usual with the Internet, so many results came up as a cause, anything from a herniated disc, a clot lodged in the blood vessels that supply the back legs, to a urinary tract infection, and so many other possibilities. Our Shelly had it - it made his back legs weak, and he'd slip when trying to jump up on stuff. A cat that shows signs of pain in the neck, spine or legs could be experiencing a spinal problem which leads to . Your cat may have eaten a toxic substance. The kitten, who she later named Emerson, had two legs that seemed to be hooked or curved. At first I was so afraid to because I'd lost a cat in 2011 my Petunia to metacam poisoning. Cats suffering from epilepsy experience seizures, which not only cause them to temporarily lose control of their legs, but also display other symptoms. I would take him to the vet to be sure, because it could be serious if left untreated. I have just noticed that he has been wobbly on his back legs, and that he holds his tail up in an arch and it seems to shiver when he walks. I'm going to take her to the vet tomorrow but I just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar. It is rare in cats. He was instinctively trying to shake if off. Cats Back Legs Wobbly 00 per calendar with a flat rate shipping fee of $5. Cats might just go through one episode -- and once is more than enough -- or continually have seizures. Injury and trauma 2. They show the owner by a different sign that his/her hind legs weakness, stiffness, balance problems, and she/he have lost the ability to walk without time. How to Treat Leg Weakness With Natural Medicine. Cat Health and Wellness. Cat Limping Possible Causes And What To Do - Veterinary Specialists Of The Rockies . by Sue tasher. They show the owner by a different sign that his/her hind legs weakness, stiffness, balance problems, and she/he have lost the ability to walk without time. Wobbly Cat Syndrome. Every year her condition would get just a tad worse. . She's also lost quite a lot of weight over the last few weeks. Love at First Sight Cat wobbly on his back legs. They could have an ingrown claw, burned their back paw pads, or have an open wound from stepping on something sharp. Advertisement. My Big Cat Yesterday I said goodbye to a special friend. In any case this is serious and she needs to see a vet as soon . A wobbly, dizzy cat isn't necessarily an emergency, but the symptoms should be taken seriously. Ideally, a cat in normal conditions should be walking upright and with ease.