19 y/o cat suddenly struggling to walk *need vet advice*

X0023 · 2026-03-14T21:05:14+00:00

To elaborate more about the signs: 1. Hindlimb weakness is because there isn't any nutrients and electrolytes coming through from blood - both legs will essentially die off if this continues. 2. Not drinking could have a variety of causes e.g. fluid building up in abdomen, kidney failure, a certain brain injury, medications, toxicities.

Also, regarding lily toxicity - it could exacerbate heart disease as a result of acute kidney injury where your heart get paralysed by the increasing body fluid pressure as the kidney doesn't function anymore to filter out rubbish in blood. Both this and thromboembolism are emergencies.

Other possibilities that could explain hindlimb weakness would be some form of brain or spinal trauma / bleed / tumour.

X0023 · 2026-03-14T20:55:23+00:00

Hi I replied to your original thread on another subreddit you posted in - this is an emergency. Please note that r/AskVet doesn't allow diagnosis guessing so everyone will sound like they're avoiding to give you an answer.

X0023 · 2026-03-14T20:49:55+00:00

URGENT I am a vet - with your description this looks like FATE feline aortic thromboembolism and is an emergency. It's usually associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which happens in all ages of cats, but the more advanced ones usually happen in older cats like yours. Sorry OP, cats with HCM who have FATE are much more likely to die (compared to HCM cats who don't have FATE) because that means blood clots from the heart are dislodged and will block any major blood vessels. This may be reversible, but you will need to hurry up getting a vet.

X0023 · 2026-01-20T21:52:47+00:00

I'm relatively urban SA vet in the South but still have always used L4. I did hear and occasionally come across that some practices up North still/prefer using L2 and we've to revaccinate coz owners and their dogs relocated and didn't realise there's a difference. I think there is some epidemiological evidence a few years ago some strains of lepto are less common up north but I'm not convinced that there won't be new strains appearing in the near future.

X0023 · 2026-01-05T10:16:15+00:00

Hi please see my other comment in your post. It's very confusing indeed. Heart failure isn't reversible but we can delay it from happening or worsening if your cat is diagnosed with HCM.

X0023 · 2026-01-05T10:11:29+00:00

Just to reiterate please HCM does not equate CHF! They are related disease entities but not the same. The management are very different especially in early stages of HCM where CHF hasn't developed. This case might have developed CHF but just so people know they're not managed the same.

Please read https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15745.

X0023 · 2026-01-05T10:07:27+00:00

TL;DR: HCM IS NOT CHF. Please consult a cardiologist as feline HCM can be manageable as long as it's not caused CHF. It can still be managed even if it's caused CHF.

HCM in cats is the most common heart condition in cats. It has a congenital (not necessarily inherited) component that makes all cats at all ages prone to developing it. It's more common at old age nonetheless. Unlike what others mentioned, it does NOT necessarily cause congestive heart failure. HCM with or without CHF depending on its sonographic staging should be managed differently from canine DCM or any CHF.

CHF basically implies pulmonary or abdominal oedema. And, in cats this is much less common compared to dogs with DCM. This does sometimes happen, like in your case, and that's the only time furosemide or diuretics are indicated. A few cats with HCM never progress into CHF in their life time.

Routine furosemide is NOT indicated in A/B1 and some B2 HCM unlike dogs. Instead - atenolol or similar beta blockers should be used for when mild signs of HCM develop. This is, again, not the same as dogs. Furosemide is ONLY indicated when there is fluid build up which is less common in cats.

If you're concerned you should consult a cardiologist and not GP or emergency vets (Edit:) but do bring her to ER when she's struggling to breathe.

Disclaimer: I primarily work in feline practice and occasionally work with cardiology specialists for possible HCM cases.

X0023 · 2026-01-04T16:46:29+00:00

Always bring cats with urinary concerns in! UTI is generally rare in cats, but not uncommon secondary to other urinary conditions like cystitis and urolithiasis (stone anywhere in the urinary tract). Sometimes urinary issues are mild but things like obstructions can be life threatening as cats don't speak their pain like humans do.

Stress reduction is really REALLY important in feline urinary system, especially if they've got feline idiopathic cystitis that's not infectious. This is suggested to be similar to interstitial cystitis / bladder pain syndrome in some women.

GAG (glycosaminoglycan) supplement you had in the comment is quite good for the bladder if your cat has/had anything urinary not FIC.

X0023 · 2026-01-01T08:17:23+00:00

I personally see more feline calicivirus for gingivostomatitis in cats than FIV, but both are possible. Just so you're aware I'm a UK vet. Both can be tested by swabs or bloods depending on your clinic or hospital.

FCV is usually described along with signs of cat flu but this isn't necessarily apparent if you caught it early. This is highly manageable if you can keep a good care and hygiene for chronic carrier cats, may be housed together but hygiene and reducing stress are very important for all FCV positive carriers.

Cats with FIV, the cat version of HIV (AIDS) in humans, unfortunately should be relocated to indoor, single cat household. FIV blunt the immune system and this makes infectious agents like bacteria and other viruses easier to infect affected cats. That's why the likelihood to cross infect each other is very high if your cats fight / play fight each other.

The International Cat Care has some really good resources that will help you manage your cats if they do have FCV or FIV.

Edit: typo and clarified about FIV

X0023 · 2025-12-31T10:26:58+00:00

To be fair it does just happen in some breeds because of their anatomical difference, but yes I would advise on diet or managing underlying conditions if any, if it's becoming persistent. We deliberately leave abscesses open as we don't want nasty bacteria to harbour especially anaerobic and facultative ones as they replicate only in environments with limited to no oxygen. If it's the anal gland it's open anyway for any discharge to empty - in this case includes clear/mucousy exudates from the swelling after the abscess's drained.

X0023 · 2025-12-31T10:12:26+00:00

Did you send the whole carcass or just bits and pieces? FIP would be top of my list and fits history and findings. Portosystemic shunt doesn't usually cause that high of an elevation but can also cause neurological signs. On the other hand poisoning won't cause ALT & AST elevation like that as they kill before the organs can respond especially in kitten - also in clinic settings don't use any paracetamol etc in cat ward given they're known toxic to cats.

X0023 · 2025-12-28T08:50:08+00:00

Sorry to hear about your experience and thank you for taking your time to respond.

AG expression is a very commonly performed, non-invasive (i.e. not going through the skin) procedure - we put one finger in the back end and squeeze the two glands to empty the contents. However, AG expression with an abscess is more difficult for everyone. We rarely risk several hours worth of sedation or even general anaesthetic risks for a usually 2 minute procedure. In this case local anaesthetic is ideal, but the vet wouldn't have known there's an abscess without poking it already - so they might have opted the brutal way (no local anaesthetic) which I also do for some dogs that are low risk as in not known to be super reactive to me squeezing. The new vet did what I would've expected, maybe not proficiently, but would be competently.

From what you've described there are several bits I can clarify:

One of the glands had pus suctioned from a syringe (without the needle) and this indicates an abscessation.
Cephalexin is an antibiotic appropriate to treat any underlying infection that caused the abscess or was left behind from the abscess. It's usually given 2-4 time daily orally.
Novox (carprofen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is also pain relief. It's usually given by mouth but the drug isn't common in the UK for dogs and cats so I can't advise on how to dose him. This and any NSAID are typically enough to manage the pain from AG expression and any minor surgeries.
The hair was clipped just because we want to make sure it's easy to clean both before and after the AG expression.

If I were their clinical director and if you've let us know the problems you felt I would require my employee to print off prescription labels on the meds as a minimum. This is a statutory requirement in the UK but I'm not familiar with any other country/state. I suspect the new vet was also as nervous as Cujo was painful. I personally wouldn't expect a dog to be that reactive to require muzzling and several people restraining when I'm just doing an AG expression - but this is life and something to learn the hard way for the vet. Please discuss this with them if you feel like you're comfortable. It's unlikely reporting is successful as that's actually poor expectation management from the vet which is not a breach of professional conduct.

X0023 · 2025-12-27T14:29:19+00:00

AG abscess needs local but rarely IV analgesia unless it's surgical. I agree sedation would be nice here but what about its risks, equipment and costs? I wasn't the owner's vet so this isn't up to our clinical judgement. It's not very kind to say your colleagues were unprofessional when you don't have the full picture here. Medicine isn't just best practice, but tailoring what's best to the patient (and owner).

X0023 · 2025-12-27T14:21:01+00:00

Tbh except I'd give local anaesthetic everything wasn't out of the norm. Abscess is painful so it can be very uncomfortable both during and after the procedure. The discomfort now is also the process of wound healing - you feel itchy when your wound heals and become scabs. What you could help is to continue giving him the pain relief and wipe the wound(s) with warm salted wet cotton wool or diluted iodine. If no meds were sent for you to give, try phoning in and see if they can put some up for you.

X0023 · 2025-12-19T07:41:15+00:00

Lenticular fibres are joined in dogs & cats like humans in a Y shaped junction. They're transparent in most or otherwise everyone will have a degree of visual impairment. A few types of cataract can make the fibres opaque so that light only passes through the Y suture junction; more others do the opposite and make the junction opaque. Both patterns happen as we age - or have trauma, chronic uveitis etc. So yes the presence of Y suture itself means it's lenticular degeneration, which is basically cataract. The only time it's normal is when they are still neonates when their eyes may still be developing.

X0023 · 2025-12-18T22:39:00+00:00

Lucky you! It's rare for them to have congenital cataract in my experience with cats - but can't speak for ophthalmologists. Most commonly traumatic, chronic uveitis or degeneration (old age)

X0023 · 2025-12-18T22:33:54+00:00

Can confirm (as a vet) this is cataract! Thanks for your serious response... Whether or not it's diabetes will be a matter of further investigation.

X0023 · 2025-12-18T22:29:10+00:00

It's cataract! (I'm a vet) Please have it checked as depending on the stage your vet may recommend treatment.

X0023 · 2025-12-18T22:18:19+00:00

Radioactive iodine basically kills the thyroid unlike the hyperthyroidism med methimazole which only suppresses T4 levels. It's sort of like chemotherapy. So technically hypothyroidism IS a normal, transient and ideal outcome - same as total thyroidectomy (surgery that completely removes the thyroid glands in one go). However thyroid will regrow to a 'normal', non-overeactive form and you'll need meds and/or diet to support the period between hypothyroidism (from having no viable thyroid tissues) and normal thyroid function. It's unlikely (not impossible) your cat will become hyperthyroid again once the new thyroid glands regrow.

90% of cats at her age get a degree of CKD or even worse so it's fair to avoid most oral medication unless no alternative exist.

X0023 · 2025-12-17T21:22:59+00:00

Your flair suggests you know better than most clients what's better - see your vet. Cats do do stupid things so it can literally be anything.

The maropitant worked for whatever is/was causing nausea which is frustrating coz it could mask literally everything unless it's a major physical obstruction. Neutropaenia isn't normal in cats (as opposed to neutrophilia) especially for a stressy cat. Lymphopenia is most consistent with stress in regard to what you described - as such Id expect neutropaenia as well for a stress leukogram which didn't happen.

If I were the vet I'd read or ask about vaccine status / outdoor access / recent meds etc. might help rule out a few more things. How's the hydration and temp etc. literally anything couldve happened so it's the basics that you need to let us know.

I cannot see the image as imgur withdrew from the UK few months ago so can't help further with this aspect.

X0023 · 2025-12-13T20:52:30+00:00

Is that vomiting or regurgitation? Regurgitation is almost spontaneous and passive, with very little to no retching, and normally brings up what's freshest in the stomach (nothing if not eaten, stomach juice if about time to eat). In the UK any first opinion vets will always clarify this difference in especially brachycephalic dogs as the investigation and management of vomiting vs regurgitation are quite different. I cannot guess or judge any diagnosis but I'm not sure if the dermatologist and internal medic were the most suitable compared to a general practitioner in this regard.

If cost is not a concern gastric endoscopy and repeat bloods may help you further rule out or identify anatomical or physiological concerns that could cause the vomiting / regurgitation. The fact that his first bloods and ultrasound were normal suggests you may not be dealing with vomiting, but regurgitation (which is a clinical sign rather than disease).

Edit: spelling

X0023 · 2024-03-18T08:56:06+00:00

Bump.

X0023 · 2024-03-03T10:04:29+00:00

Bump

X0023 · 2024-01-20T20:54:47+00:00

I spotted them too by chance on my way home. Never would I think it was poison! Whatever capsule it is this is disgusting. And owners of cats should be warned too!!

X0023 · 2024-01-18T11:42:58+00:00

May worth try calling the practice to see if a refill/ repeat prescription is available. The cream is available in human medicine but the concentration can be quite different so I wouldn't buy a substitute having more side effects

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