Cat's hind legs are taken away: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, veterinarian consultation and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Yesterday your furry pet was merrily running after the ball, but today he can't move on his own? This situation, unfortunately, is familiar to many pet owners. But why do cats lose their hind legs? The reasons may be different. The most common and will be described below.

Signs

How to understand that a cat's hind legs are being taken away? One of the most noticeable signs is a wobbling gait. The cat begins to move much less, does not jump, does not play. The animal mostly lies, prefers rest to any movement. If the hind legs fail completely, the pet does not rely on them at all, it moves with the help of the front ones. The cat simply drags its hind limbs.

The best thing to do if you notice that the cat's hind legs are being taken away is to immediately take the animal to the veterinarian. Only an experienced specialist can determine the cause of the disease and prescribe an adequatetreatment. It is impossible to start self-therapy without establishing an accurate diagnosis. This can lead to death. In cases where it is not possible to quickly visit the veterinary clinic, it is necessary to get advice online or by phone. Of course, without passing the necessary tests, the diagnosis can only be approximate. But still, it's better than nothing.

Diagnosis

If a cat has lost its hind legs, the reason may lie in a wide variety of ailments. To make a final diagnosis, a veterinarian will conduct a series of tests:

1. Neurological examination.
2. X-ray examination of the spine.
3. Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
4. Bacteriological examination (performed when the doctor suspects an infection).
5. Laboratory tests of blood and urine of an animal.
6. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head and spine.
7. Checking paw sensitivity (tactile and painful).

Injuries and injuries

If your cat is stuck in a window and its hind legs are paralyzed, then the most obvious cause in this case may be an injury. The same thing can happen to the animal after the traditional "March" adventures. Moreover, the injury may not appear immediately. Sometimes weeks or even months pass between cause and effect.

If a cat's hind legs are paralyzed after a fall, the cause may be a compression fracture of the spine. The same thing happens as a result of fights with dogs or yard relatives. The reason for this is very simple. The vertebrae of the animal have a small opening in the center and, when put together, form the spinal canal. It is there that one of the most important organs of the animal is located - the spinal cord. There are also small holes at the junction of the vertebrae. Through them pass the roots of the spinal cord. They are responsible for the innervation of the internal organs of the animal, its limbs and other parts of the body. Displacement and cracks of the vertebrae lead to a violation of the integrity of these roots or their complete rupture. As a result, the innervation of the organs stops. This is what causes the cat to lose its hind legs. Most often, there is significant weakness of the limbs, and in especially advanced cases, complete paralysis may occur.

Wounds and injuries received during a fight are no less dangerous. Even if the spine itself was not injured, deep wounds may remain on the body of the animal, in which, over time, the reproduction of pathogenic microflora can begin. There is suppuration and inflammation of the affected area. If the animal is not provided with medical care in time, then pus from a wound located near the spine can destroy the roots or penetrate the spinal canal. The result will be deplorable - weakness of the limbs, myelitis, inflammation of the spinal membranes, sepsis and death of the animal. If such a problem is left unattended, then after a while you will notice that the cat's hind legs are taken away.

In most cases, the injuries described above require immediate surgical intervention. At home, only the most minor lesions can be de alt with. If the animal has fallen from a great height, as a result of which its hind legs have been taken away, then the doctor will most likely prescribe such drugs:

• Traumeel S + Target T.
• Maralgin.
• Metipred.
• Milgama.

You can also add foot massage, acupuncture, myostimulation. To relieve the condition, the doctor may prescribe a laxative. If the animal is unable to defecate on its own, urine will need to be pumped out with a syringe or catheter.

Myelitis, herniated or displaced intervertebral discs

Incorrectly healed injuries can result in herniated discs. If the cat's hind legs have been taken away, this may be the reason. Most often, this disease affects older animals. Cats of some breeds with a short tail also suffer from hernias. They have changes in the sacral spine.

If you cannot understand why the cat lost its hind legs, remember if the animal suffered from helminthic invasion, if it had poisoning or purulent inflammation during pregnancy. Has this happened? Then it is likely that the pet begins myelitis or inflammation of the spinal cord. The cat becomes very aggressive, her temperature rises, problems with the intestines begin, urinary retention is observed, semi-coma, severe pain. The fluffy pet often bites and licks its paws.

In myelitis, it is very important to control the formation of bedsores. The cat needs to be massaged with paws and, if necessary, help to empty the intestines.

Renal failure, beriberi

So, you noticed that the cat's hind legs were paralyzed. What to do in this case? One of the most harmless causes of this condition is beriberi. Often young animals or lactating females suffer from it. Sometimes the cause of vitamin deficiency lies in the presence of helminths. In the presence of parasites, nutrients simply do not have time to be absorbed into the blood in sufficient quantities. Avitaminosis and disturbance of the intestinal flora are also possible after an infectious disease suffered by an animal, prolonged use of antibiotics, or for some other reason. This problem is almost always solvable, you just need to review the pet's diet and ensure sufficient intake of vitamins.

If the cat's hind legs are paralyzed, the causes and treatment should be determined by the veterinarian. For example, one of the possible options may be kidney failure. In this case, the animal is shown a special diet with a reduced protein content, B vitamins and steroid drugs. The main symptoms are:

• poor appetite;
• complete refusal to eat;
• apathy;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• sluggishness;
• reduced or no urination;
• fever.

Thromboembolism

This is another problem, which may be evidenced by the fact that the cat's hind legs were paralyzed. From fright and pain, the animal screams and does not allow touching the diseased limb, reacts aggressively even to its beloved owner. Over time, the paws become cold and completely paralyzed. The cause is the blockage of the vessel by a thrombus that has come off from the place of formation. Such a disease very often ends in the death of the animal, although an experienced doctor can fight for the life of a fluffy patient. Treatment consists of prescribing anticoagulants, physiotherapy.

Paresis

If the cat's hind leg was taken away after the injection, then one of the likely reasons may be the inept actions of the veterinarian or the person who performed the manipulation. Possible sciatic nerve injury or muscle injury.

Another reason may be the injection itself, or rather, the introduction of "No-shpy" to the animal. This drug is not always suitable for cats. In some cases, it can cause paresis of the limbs.

Cardiomyopathy, stroke

Increased volume of the heart or thickening of its walls (cardiomyopathy) dramatically leads to paralysis of the limbs. But this still happens. The reason is the lack of oxygen entering the muscles. Concomitant symptoms of the disease are shortness of breath, drowsiness of the animal, cough, lethargy. Since cats cannot undergo heart surgery, treatment will be conservative. Often veterinarians prescribe "Diltiazem" or "Atenolol", the animal is recommended complete rest.

Sometimes the cause of limb paralysis is a stroke. Often it occurs in old or inactive animals. Treatment is possible only with the involvement of an experienced veterinary specialist. He'll prescribe neuroleptics, painkillers, and anticonvulsants.

Dysplasia

The symptoms of this disease are not very noticeable at first. The cat's paws seem to be braided, it moves unsteadily, often stumbles, limps. Over time, the animal begins to crawl. At the same time, the paws obviously hurt, the animal hisses and shows aggression when trying to feel the limbs. The cause of hip dysplasia is a sedentary lifestyle, lack of vitamins and too much protein in the diet.

Treatment can be extremely cardinal. The animal needs joint replacement surgery. The use of corticosteroids will help delay the inevitable. If the disease was detected at a very early stage, then most often you can do without a scalpel. The limbs of the animal are fixed to reduce the load and anti-inflammatory injections are prescribed, as well as top dressing with glucosamine and chondroetin.

Arthrosis, arthritis

Such pathologies are also very common. The disease, as in the previous case, is characterized by the presence of degenerative-inflammatory processes in the joints. As a result of the destruction of the synovial cartilage of the articular capsules, the surfaces of the bones begin to “dry” rub against each other. This situation is accompanied by such severe pain that the animal tries not to move at all once again. In most cases, such pathologies are characteristic of older cats.

Therapyarthritis is usually symptomatic. A fluffy patient is prescribed corticosteroids in combination with antimicrobials. Sedatives are administered to reduce pain. In especially neglected cases, an operation is prescribed.

Tick bites

Multiple bites of these insects are very dangerous for felines. The consequence of a meeting with an ixodid tick can be encephalitis, tularemia, or other dangerous diseases. If a cat's hind legs fail, it is likely that she has tick paralysis. This disease often occurs when several parasites attack the animal at once. At first, the pet can be very excited and even aggressive. Then this state is replaced by apathy. It is at this stage that paralysis of the limbs is possible, and if treatment is not started in time, the animal may die.

Alimentary hyperparathyroidism

This disease is characterized by metabolic disorders due to an unbalanced diet. In the body of an animal, an increased content of phosphorus and a lack of vitamin D are observed, as a result of which the parathyroid gland works with disorders and releases too large doses of parathyroid hormone. Symptoms of hyperparathyroidism may include:

• severe pain;
• bone deformity;
• limping;
• hind leg cramps;
• pathological fractures.

The main treatment is to establish a properly balanced diet and limit the animal's motor activity. Over time, the situation is improving and numbness of the pawspasses.

Physical education and massage for Murzik

Once the veterinarian determines the exact cause of the disease and prescribes adequate treatment, the owner can help the animal recover faster from the disease and get back on its feet. In some cases, massage and special exercises contribute to a speedy recovery.

Swimming gives good results. True, the method will be applied only if the cat is not afraid of water. Immersed in the bath, the pet begins to involuntarily touch with its paws, while it must be supported under the stomach.

Exercises on the ball also turn out to be effective. The cat must be placed on it so that the hanging paws touch the floor. The ball is gently rolled, forcing the furry patient to slowly move his limbs.

If the animal refuses active procedures, you can just gently massage the paws several times a day. The duration of the session should be at least 10 minutes. Forced movements of the paws, their flexion and extension also help well. Such gymnastics can be performed only when the animal does not have pronounced pain sensations.

To stimulate the cat to move, you can use a kind of walker. They are made from a long towel passed under the belly of a furry friend.

Even if the cat could not stand on its paws, this is not a reason to put it to sleep. Today there are many devicesallowing partially paralyzed animals to move independently. Over time, the cat gets used to such a wheelchair and begins to move quickly enough around the house without the help of the owner.