Sudden wobbliness on back leg and couldn't jump anymore

[Chuck]

My cat:

• 12 years and 9 months old

• has a history of UTI about 10 years ago, but everything is all right now.

• ]has hyperthyroidism and given Methimazole on daily basis

• given C/D wet and dry food

Starting on July 13th, she suddenly started to walk wobbly on the back leg, as seen here https://imgur.com/a/XPkzjg8. When jumping onto my bed, she seemed to be struggling and not as quick as before. She had to grab the blanket and pull herself up. Previously, she’ll jump right on top of the bed.

I immediately brought her to an emergency pet hospital the following day (July 14th) and the emergency vet did a full exam. Result:

• Blood test looks OK. High white blood cell count, but the vet was not concerned

• X-Ray looks OK per the radiologist, but they could not see my cat spinal cord.

• Vet noted that there are moderate amount of poop in the colon

• Kidney and liver is fine

• Nothing that indicate cancer

• Vet consulted with the in-house surgeon and noticed left hind limb not placing as well on lateral movement when checking CPs, but otherwise no pain or orthopedic abnormalities

The vet prescribed the following medicine:

• Lactulose Solution: to soften the poop in the colon

• Gabapentin: for pain

• Onsior: anti inflammatory for the cat back

EDIT: Emergency vet report as of July 14th:

... may be experiencing pain or neurologic abnormalities consistent with compression of the spinal cord. Neurologic diseases that can cause this include intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), infections of the spinal cord or fluid, masses or tumors pressing on the spinal cord or in some cases a traumatic accident impacting the spinal cord.

The most common cause is IVDD, when a disc becomes dehydrated, shrinks and pops up onto the spinal cord. This is a painful disease and can progress to paralysis if left untreated. Surgical intervention is sometimes necessary if patients that have a spinal cord compression caused by a disc. There are other causes of these signs, such as a tumor pressing on the spinal cord in the same manner, or any type of inflammation/infection of or around the spinal cord. Advanced imaging with an MRI or CT as well as a spinal tap can rule out these other causes.

Other than that, she is unsure and hence needing to make appointment with a neurologist.

Unfortunately, ALL neurologists in my area (4 different hospitals) are all booked till August and I made appointment for that time. I also made an appointment with my regular vet for July 17th just in case.

As of July 15th:
- she is still wobbly and that SEEMS to be worsening: she no longer can jump to the bed (if she did, she will fall) and cannot walk more than a few steps before her back legs gave in.
- her appetite is still good and eating normally
- she spent all the time just sitting and not playing anymore
- breathing is fine
- used the litter box on July 14th (one time) and July 15th (one time). Multiple small poops in the litter box that is not soft, but not too hard either.

While waiting for the neurologist exam, does anyone know what is happening to my cat? Anything else I can do for her? Is she in pain? She was normal one day and the next... BAM! Couldn't walk properly. I am just very concerned that this happened suddenly and it breaks my heart to see her going from doing zoomies to not being able to walk properly.

[Mollycat]

I'm sure it must be very distressing for you and for her, especially with such a wait for a specialist.

Are her pads cold to the touch or normally warm? How was her heart at her last thyroid checks? I'm sure the vet would have checked this and they are normal, to be thinking neurological, but if they feel cold do mention it to your regular vet tomorrow.

[fjm]

My papillon, Sophy, showed very similar symptoms with a trapped nerve/slipped disc in her lower spine. I don't know how similar the diagnosis/prognosis is between cats and dogs, as their bodies are designed very differently, but I was told to keep her on strict crate rest to avoid the possibility of the disk bursting and damaging the spinal cord. Three weeks crate rest and pain relief put her right, although she has had occasional bouts of sciatica when the nerve gets squeezed due to the disc damage. I was lucky enough to find a really good osteopath who works wonders at those times.

I would talk to your vet, and ask whether you should be taking precautions to avoid jumping, stairs, etc until you have a firm diagnosis.

[Chuck]

Are her pads cold to the touch or normally warm?

Normal temperature. Not cold or overtly warm

How was her heart at her last thyroid checks?

• 03/19/20: Full physical exam, including blood panel. Heart and kidney was OK. Thyroid level was elevated at 11.3 (High normal is 4.7) and it was suspected that because she didn't finish her food mixed with the medication. So we changed it to transdermal medication and recheck in 2 weeks

• 04/03/20: - Thyroid level is now 0.8 (normal is 0.7 - 5.2)

[Chuck]

My papillon, Sophy, showed very similar symptoms with a trapped nerve/slipped disc in her lower spine. I don't know how similar the diagnosis/prognosis is between cats and dogs, as their bodies are designed very differently, but I was told to keep her on strict crate rest to avoid the possibility of the disk bursting and damaging the spinal cord. Three weeks crate rest and pain relief put her right, although she has had occasional bouts of sciatica when the nerve gets squeezed due to the disc damage. I was lucky enough to find a really good osteopath who works wonders at those times.

Did Sophy get better afterwards? E.g. can walk normally again.

I would talk to your vet, and ask whether you should be taking precautions to avoid jumping, stairs, etc until you have a firm diagnosis.

Ah yes, the emergency vet did mentioned exercise restriction, such as not jumping onto and off of objects. Fortunately (or unfortunately), her back legs are so weak she no longer want to jump to her post, bed, etc.

[fjm]

Sophy recovered completely, although if she jumps awkwardly it can trigger an episode of sciatica that requires attention. I would restrict jumping and climbing, even when she thinks she can manage it - with Sophy it took three weeks of keeping her either in a crate or on a leash, and not letting her do any jumping, running or climbing at all. Hard work for those few weeks, but worth it to have her recover without permanent damage - and the damage can be catastrophic if the disc ruptures.

[Dbschools]

I wonder if it’s related to medication? Since her thyroid is so nice and low, consider reductions on the medication for a week or two to see if her neuro signs improves. I have a cat with unbelievable high 19 Total T4. I’m sick over it. She had to come off the thyroid meds due to seizures and first she had wobbling and trouble walking and it progressed to seizures. I
She had to be out on seizure meds. I have her back on the thyroid medication half dosage and so far no seizures and am looking into surgery at Davis Vet hospital. She’s 16 years old SIXTEEN and I know she would likely die if she had to stay in the hospital for a week for radio injection. She is NOT Ok Around strangers. I don’t think She can live long with a reading of 19 TOTAL T4 Which is extremely high. I didn’t even know they can have a reading that High. I’m thinking since her blood pressure is ok and she’s a decent weight that surgery might be best option since she’d be away only one day from me.

[Chuck]

I wonder if it’s related to medication? Since her thyroid is so nice and low, consider reductions on the medication for a week or two to see if her neuro signs improves.

Oh, that is something I never consider! I took my cat to 2 vets and neurologist and they all said this could be a spinal cord issue or tumor. Next step is MRI, which cost more than $4,000! I did tell ALL of them for each visit about the use of transdermal methimazole medicine for thyroid issue.

Let me try reducing the methimazole and see if this takes care of the wobbling.

Thank you, @Dbschools for the suggestion!

[booktigger]

Please don't reduce medication without speaking to your vet first

[Mollycat]

Yes please talk to your vet and don't reduce thyroid meds without a vet's advice. Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism causes irreversible problems like blindness and heart failure and dosage is critical.

[Chuck]

Hi all! Forgot to reply but yes, I’d ask the vet first. She is OOO so I have to call next week, but the methimazole continues as of today.