The cat pulls up its hind legs. Spinal cord inflammation

Some people believe that cats are animals with a minimum number of depressing problems, especially those related to health. But like any animals, they have a number of genetic, infectious, and viral predispositions to pathologies. If a pet's hind legs fail, it is unlikely to determine the true cause without the help of a veterinarian. This is a serious dysfunction of the body that can lead to death, and time cannot be delayed.

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  Causes of hind leg failure in a cat

  The most common cause is pelvic paralysis. The animal's paws may completely or partially fail. In this situation, the cat has a staggering gait or drags its hind legs behind it, relying only on its front legs, which is accompanied by severe pain. Common causes of paralysis:

  

  Herniated discs and spinal cord inflammation

  Intervertebral disc herniation (displacement of an intervertebral disc that presses on the spinal cord, thereby causing complete or partial paralysis of the hind legs) is a rare disease that affects older cats. Another reason is the peculiarity of the breed. Cats with short tails show changes in the sacral spine. Symptoms begin with poor posture and end with complete paralysis of the animal.

  Inflammation of the spinal cord (myelitis) is a disease that is infectious in nature, most often caused by poisoning, the presence of worms, injuries, or suppuration in the uterus during pregnancy. This disease can be local in nature, and in particularly severe cases it affects the entire spinal cord. The cat behaves very aggressively, with elevated temperature, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, urinary retention, severe pain, and coma. The pet often licks or bites its lower paws.

  

  Thromboembolism

  Thromboembolism of the femoral arteries occurs when a vessel is blocked by a blood clot that has broken away from its site of origin. This is a very serious disease, the likelihood of cure is low, and usually death occurs within 2-4 days from the moment of paralysis of the limbs.

  The symptoms are as follows: at first it is very acute, the cat screams in pain, when trying to touch it responds with aggression, shakes its hind legs alternately, later they refuse, become much colder than the front ones, and movement becomes possible only at the expense of the front ones. The animal is almost motionless, does not want to eat or drink, prefers dark, cool places.

  

  

  Vitamin deficiency is possible in the absence of sunlight, as well as in cases of infectious diseases suffered by animals or prolonged use of antibiotics. These reasons are based on a small amount of vitamin B1 in the body. Signs of vitamin deficiency: lethargy, drowsiness, fatigue, weight loss, anemia.

  Kidney failure leads to disruption of the entire genitourinary system. The most identifying symptoms of this disease are a decrease in the amount of urine, and then its absence altogether. Lethargy, apathy, poor appetite, refusal to eat, later vomiting, diarrhea, fever.

  Hip dysplasia

  Hip dysplasia is abnormal development of the hip joint, thickening of the muscles, resulting in an increased likelihood of dislocation or fracture. Symptoms: the cat steps unsteadily from paw to paw, limps, and prefers to crawl around the apartment.

  Possible decrease in activity, muscle atrophy, and curvature of limbs. Reasons: sedentary lifestyle, excess protein and calories.

  

  Cardiomyopathy and stroke

  Cardiomyopathy is a thickening of the walls of the heart and an increase in its volume. The disease rarely leads to complete dysfunction of the hind legs, but it does happen. The main reason is that the heart contracts poorly, the muscles do not receive the required amount of oxygen, and the paws atrophy. Symptoms: shortness of breath, cough, apathy, drowsiness.

  The cause of paralysis can be a stroke (impaired vascular patency). This disease affects old, sedentary, emaciated animals. The cat is choking, cannot swallow food normally, and has profuse salivation. In severe cases, failure of the lower or upper legs. If medical assistance is not provided to the animal in time, this leads to complete paralysis of the entire body.

  Diagnosis of paralysis

  To make a diagnosis, the following steps are taken:

  1. 1. Neurological examination.
  2. 2. X-ray of the spine.
  3. 3. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.
  4. 4. Bacteriological analysis (in case of suspected infection).
  5. 5. Blood and urine tests.
  6. 6. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head and spine.
  7. 7. Checking the tactile and pain sensitivity of the paws.

  Treatment of limb paralysis

  The best thing to do if your cat's back or front legs are failing is to immediately contact a veterinarian. If this is not possible, you need to consult a doctor by phone or online. Treatment cannot be started without an accurate diagnosis; it may be useless or lead to rapid death.

  

  If the diagnosis is determined, there are ways to treat this disease at home:

  • Treatment of diseases associated with spinal injuries in most cases requires surgical intervention. At home, you can treat them only in case of a mild form. If an animal has fallen from a great height and its hind legs have failed, the veterinarian will most likely prescribe medications such as: Traumeel + Cel, Metipred, Milgama, Maralgin. In some cases, myelostimulation, foot massages, and acupuncture help. If the cat cannot defecate normally, he is prescribed laxatives and the urine is pumped out with a syringe.
  • For myelitis, the main care is to prevent bedsores from developing. You need to massage your paws using camphor oil or alcohol. There is a need to sometimes turn the cat over and systematically empty its rectum.
  • Thromboembolism of the femoral arteries is treated if tissue necrosis is not observed, and the sensitivity of the paws is at least slightly preserved. Then the cat is prescribed physical therapy and anticoagulants: Clopidogrel, aspirin, Heparin (you need to be as careful as possible with it, because the wrong dosage leads to internal bleeding).
  • Vitamin deficiency is almost always correctable if the disease is not aggravated. You need to add nutrients to your cat's diet. Group A vitamins are found in fish, egg yolks, and vegetables. B vitamins are present in vegetable and animal fats. One of the most important vitamins in this situation is found in fish, eggs and milk.
  • Hip dysplasia. If the disease is detected in the early stages, there is no reason to worry. It is necessary to fix the cat's limb to reduce the load on it. Supplements with Glucosamine and Chondroetin and anti-inflammatory injections are prescribed.
  • Stroke. During a seizure, carefully place the cat on its side and check for vomit in its mouth to prevent it from choking. Then urgently take her to the veterinarian or call a doctor at home. Treatment for stroke is only possible with a veterinarian! He prescribes drugs for convulsions, painkillers, and antipsychotics.
  • Cardiomyopathy. Heart surgery is contraindicated for cats, so treatment is always medicinal, which must be prescribed by a doctor. The medications needed are drugs that slow the heart rate, such as Atenolol or Diltiazem. In order not to aggravate the situation, the cat needs complete rest; sudden noises are undesirable.
  • For kidney failure, the best treatment is to simply follow your doctor's recommendations. It is necessary to restore the water and salt balance, for this the cat is prescribed a special low-protein diet, steroids and B vitamins for weight gain. To reduce or eliminate intoxication, physiological solutions are used.

The main causes of partial or complete paralysis of the hind legs are the following pathologies:

• consequences of spinal injuries and traumatic spinal cord injuries;
• intervertebral disc prolapse;
• inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord;
• arterial thromboembolism;
• fibrocartilaginous embolism;
• vitamin deficiency and potassium metabolism disorders;
• hip dysplasia;
• cardiomyopathy and fibrosis of the heart muscle;
• consequences of stroke;
• nutritional hyperthyroidism;
• consequences of ixodid tick bites.

Consequences of spine and spinal cord injuries

When a cat has a fracture, dislocation of the spine, or severe contusion of the spinal cord, a post-traumatic reaction often occurs - the hind legs are taken away. Paw paralysis may be accompanied by painful shock, loss of consciousness, and fecal and urinary incontinence. With proper treatment and the absence of complications, the animal’s condition is usually reversible and after restoration of nerve conduction, sensitivity gradually returns.

Such serious pathologies are treated in most cases in the clinic surgically. Additionally, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory, healing and painkillers (Traumel, Milgamma, Baralgin).

Herniated disc

A herniated disc is a protrusion of a disc between the vertebral bodies. Characterized by pain, muscle tension and limited movement. In severe cases, a herniated disc can cause compression of blood vessels, nerve roots and the spinal cord, in which conductivity gradually deteriorates. Because of this, the innervation of the limbs is disrupted, and they can become paralyzed.

If a cat's legs are paralyzed due to this disease, then painkillers, muscle relaxants that relieve severe muscle spasms, decongestants, and vitamins that improve the condition of nerve fibers are prescribed as treatment.

Spinal cord inflammation

The cause of inflammation of the spinal cord (myelitis) can be injuries, complications of infections, helminthic infestations, and poisoning with toxic substances. Such pathologies are usually accompanied by gastrointestinal disorders, severe fever, feelings of anxiety and fear, nausea and vomiting. In addition, the cat's hind legs gradually fail. With myelitis, the condition is usually reversible and after the inflammation is relieved, the animal's limbs regain sensitivity over time.

Treatment consists of prescribing antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants. Physiotherapeutic procedures have a good effect.

Arterial thromboembolism

The cat does not feel the bloodless limbs; they gradually become cold. The animal screams in pain, refuses to eat and drink, and prefers to be in dark places. The disease often has an unfavorable prognosis, since the likelihood of cure is very low. But in rare cases, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, the disease recedes.

If sensitivity is at least slightly preserved and there is hope, then the animal is given a paw massage, anticoagulants (reducing blood clotting) and physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.

Fibrocartilaginous embolism

With fibrocartilaginous embolism, a thrombus clogs the vessels of the spinal cord. Bleeding tissues gradually become necrotic. Severe pain is replaced by a complete lack of sensitivity. Subsequently, the cat's front and hind legs fail. If the blockage of the vessel is incomplete, then the paralysis of the limbs will be partial and then a cure is possible. The main treatment tactics are the prescription of anticoagulants and physical therapy.

Vitamin deficiency and potassium metabolism disorders

A lack of vitamins and minerals in the body that affect the condition of the limbs and their functions can cause paralysis or paresis of the paws. The probable cause of vitamin deficiency is helminthiasis or a poor cat diet. A lack of vitamins A and B1 is especially dangerous. Lack of sunlight can lead to vitamin D deficiency and, as a result, rickets, which is more common in kittens. With paresis, a lack of potassium in the body is often diagnosed.

Vitamin deficiency and micronutrient deficiency can be easily eliminated. After deworming, restoration of a nutritious diet and a course of vitamin therapy, the cat will regain the ability to move independently.

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a congenital pathology of the development of the joint, which greatly increases the likelihood of subluxation and dislocation of the femoral head. The disease develops as a result of genetic predisposition or intrauterine developmental defects. Young animals are more susceptible to it. There is also a breed predisposition (Maine Coon cats are more often affected).

This disease is not associated with loss of sensation and paralysis. The animal cannot walk due to a joint malformation. The main symptoms of the disease are:

• limb weakness;
• inability to jump;
• tilting to the side of the affected joint, frequent falls;
• unsteady gait.

The therapy consists of limiting the cat's movement in order to reduce the load on the sore paws and prescribing special food containing glucosamine and chondroetin, as a building material for the cartilage tissue of the joints.

Cardiomyopathy and fibrosis of the heart muscle

Cardiomyopathy is a group of myocardial diseases caused by dystrophic and sclerotic changes in cardiac cells - cardiomyocytes. It often leads to thickening of the heart walls and decreased volume of the ventricles, causing the heart to pump less blood. The animal begins to suffer from oxygen starvation. Main symptoms:

• dyspnea;
• decreased motor activity;
• cough and vomiting;
• refusal to eat.

Paralysis of the hind legs is not typical for cardiomyopathy, but as a secondary disease, thromboembolism can develop, which is the direct cause of paralysis. In addition, the cat is often unable to move due to severe weakness.

Cardiomyopathy can be a form of fibrosis of the heart muscle. Fibrosis is the proliferation of connective tissue and the appearance of scars on organs. Cardiac fibrosis is an irreversible process. The main goal of therapy is to stop the development of the process and treat the underlying disease.

The main drugs used for cardiomyopathy are beta blockers (Atenolol, Propranolol); calcium channel blockers (Diltiazem), which relieve stress on the heart muscle.

Consequences of a stroke

A stroke in cats can be accompanied by a number of symptoms, including paralysis of not only the limbs, but also other parts of the body. For example, impaired swallowing and breathing function. In addition, loss of consciousness, disorientation, and shock are typical. Whether the animal can be saved depends on how quickly medical assistance is provided. In severe cases, paralysis of all muscles is possible. The sooner the improvement occurs, the more favorable the prognosis for recovery.

Nutritional hyperparathyroidism

The disease is a metabolic disorder in which, due to an unbalanced diet, the body develops a lack of calcium, vitamin D and an increased content of phosphorus. As a result, the parathyroid gland secretes too much so-called parathyroid hormone. The main symptoms of hyperparathyroidism relate to the structure and function of the limbs, including:

• lameness;
• bone deformation;
• pathological fractures;
• severe pain;
• cramps of the hind limbs.

The cat's legs spread apart when walking, and eventually she gives up trying to walk.

The main treatment is to limit the cat’s ability to move and switch to a nutritious diet that replenishes the deficiency of important microelements. The prognosis is usually favorable; after recovery, the feeling of numbness in the legs gradually disappears.

Consequences of tick bites

Numerous ixodid tick bites are very dangerous for cats. They carry with them many dangerous diseases: piroplasmosis, tularemia, encephalitis. Not least of all is tick paralysis.

Tick ​​paralysis occurs when poisoned by insect toxins, if the animal is attacked by several individuals at once. Main symptoms: agitation, anxiety, which turns into apathy and indifference. At this stage, paralysis of the limbs may also occur. Treatment is effective only in the early stages of the disease.

To protect the animal, it is necessary to periodically treat it with special anti-tick drops. In addition, you need to know how to get rid of an embedded tick yourself if medical help is not available:

1. Treat the area where the insect has attached itself, lubricate it with an airtight liquid (oil, cream). A choking tick will significantly weaken its grip.
2. Using tweezers and a magnifying glass, first remove the head and then, in pairs, the legs of the insect from the skin.
3. Lubricate the tick with oil again, and after a while, use a loop made of thin thread to pull out the insect. Treat the cat's bleeding wound.

There may be several reasons, and all of them are associated with serious diseases that are difficult to treat, or even not treatable at all. Factors may be the following:

• mechanical damage to the spine - trauma;
• inflammatory processes in the spinal cord;
• embolism of a fibrocartilaginous nature;
• arterial thromboembolism;
• consequence of a stroke;
• mite infestation;
• cardiomyopathic disease.

The importance of differential diagnosis

If a cat's hind legs have failed, the first step to helping your pet is to consult a veterinarian. In most cases, the specialist prescribes a series of tests. Based on their results, it will already be possible to draw the first conclusions about the causes of failures of the musculoskeletal system.

Below we will consider the main areas of possible diagnoses for a pet, when and why it pulls its hind legs.

Violation	Description	Methods of influence
Purulent endomedritis in cats	Other manifestations of the disease are the pet’s thirst and frequent urination. A weakened state, in rare cases, a swollen abdomen and atypical behavior of the cat, manifested in frequent meows and pain	This type of disease can only occur in cats. As a treatment, it is recommended to undergo surgery to remove the inflamed ovaries and uterus. To avoid relapses, drug treatment is not recommended.
Pinched sciatic nerve	Has no obvious symptoms. There is a manifestation of some restrictions in movements, where the animal almost constantly pulls its paws. The cat often lies with its hind legs stretched out and generally has a sickly appearance.	The treatment takes place under the strict supervision of an experienced doctor. Since often in this state cats become more fearful and refuse outside interventions.
Disruption of internal organs	Problems with the liver and kidneys (urolithiasis, kidney failure)	It is necessary to take an x-ray of the spine, donate blood and urine.
Changes in the body by age in cats	Loss of appetite, sleep disturbances and other age-related manifestations in cats	Seeing a doctor to relieve symptoms of illness

If a cat's hind legs fail, it is quite difficult to find out the reasons for this. There is a belief that almost all diseases can cause complications and forced limitation of movement.

If a cat does not walk, it can be difficult to distinguish between paralysis of the paws and severe pain that occurs when moving. Perhaps he, experiencing pain when walking, simply refuses to make efforts, since they bring additional discomfort. The causes of severe pain in the back or abdominal area may be the following ailments:

• urolithiasis;
• tumor diseases;
• inflammation of the urinary and reproductive system;
• intestinal obstruction.

A distinctive feature of these diseases is that the cat’s paws retain full sensitivity and nerve conduction is not impaired.

If the initial examination is not enough to determine the cause of paw paralysis, then the following diagnostic methods are used:

• determination of neurological reactions;
• X-ray of the spine and affected limbs;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
• detailed blood and urine analysis;
• taking smears for bacteriological analysis;
• MRI and CT scans of areas of the body where pathology is suspected to exist (spine, abdominal cavity, brain);
• determining the level of sensitivity of the affected limbs.

Treatment at home

Most doctors are against treating cats and kittens with cases of dragging their paws on an independent basis. At the same time, there are often known cases, especially in small kittens, when a simple home massage completely relieves the pet of the problem of weakness of the hind legs. At the first signs of action, when the kitten pulls its hind legs, the owners begin to knead and stroke its limbs every two to three hours every day.

Swimming for cats will be an effective remedy and an excellent physical activity. Since the tension of the front and hind legs occurs at the level of primary instincts.

Timely action to treat hind limb disease will help alleviate the pet’s condition and return it to a healthy appearance and good mood.

General restorative home treatments for paralysis of paws

If a cat's hind legs have failed, he will benefit from daily restorative procedures. The owner can easily work with the pet on his own at home.

1. Paw massage should be done 5 to 7 times a day. For 10-15 minutes, massage your limbs with light but intense movements. This will help restore the conduction of nerve impulses and prevent the muscles from atrophying.
2. Therapeutic gymnastics in the form of forced flexion and extension of the limbs is very useful.
3. You can imitate walking using a kind of walker, which can be made from a wide towel placed under the cat’s belly. By supporting the animal in this way, you need to provoke it to move its paws on its own. If it is difficult for him, you can help with your hands.
4. Swimming gives very good results if the cat is not afraid of water. Once in a pond or bathtub, the animal involuntarily moves its paws, trying to swim, while the owner holds it under its belly. It has been noticed that healing occurs much faster after a course of such exercises.
5. Tickling the paws will help the owner feel the moment when the animal begins to feel them, by reaction to irritation.
6. Exercises on the ball are effective. The cat is placed on a ball of suitable size. Her paws, hanging down, should almost touch the floor, so that when she rolls, she seems to stand on them.

If the cat’s treatment does not bring the expected effect, and it still drags its hind legs, then you should not euthanize the animal. There is a way out in this case too. There are specialized wheelchairs for cats that perform the functions of limbs. Once accustomed, the cat will be able to move quite quickly in such a stroller without the help of the owner. The quality of life of the animal when using such a device remains quite high.

Risk group

There are diseases that are more common to certain breeds of cats that lead to a similar symptom.

In the Burmese breed, this disease is considered hypoglycemia. For Maine Coon and Chartreuse - femoral dysplasia. Cymriks suffer from congenital weakness of their paws. In addition, a lack of foods containing thiamine in the menu can also be a cause of paresis or paralysis.

Each disease has characteristic signs and causes.

The causes are infectious diseases, food poisoning, injuries, and inflammatory processes in the uterus during pregnancy in females. Main features:

• weakness of the limbs with subsequent refusal to move;
• bloating;
• the hind legs are taken away;
• general paralysis and paresis of the rectum and bladder;
• frequent licking or biting of paws;
• pain when trying to move.

Making a diagnosis includes taking an anamnesis, clinical studies, and differentiating infectious pathologies.

The illnesses of our little brothers greatly worry and upset their owners. However, you can fight them if you know what the animal is sick with and how to treat it correctly. It is noteworthy that cats, like other animals, quite often suffer from diseases that are associated with impaired functioning of the limbs (more about). However, such diseases do not always arise due to unsuccessful landings on the paws. Often, cats pull their paws due to problems with internal organs. Well, here’s what they are, and why – our publication will tell you about this today...

Limb dysfunction in a cat

Have you begun to notice that your pet is stretching its hind legs, its gait has become uncertain, and instead of making graceful jumps, the cat clumsily misses, breaks down and falls from a height (what to do if)? Has your pet begun to frequently stretch out its hind legs and meow pitifully at the same time? Besides, do your attempts to stroke his spine and tail often end in very aggressive behavior on the part of the cat? Do not rush to think that the problem is only an injury to the spine or hind legs - the cat could have received them while jumping earlier. The cause may also be internal violations. And we will tell you more about them and their symptoms right now. But first, let's decide what examinations the animal needs to undergo, what tests to take, in order to diagnose the cause of impaired limb mobility in a cat.

Diagnosis of the causes of limb dysfunction in cats

In order to determine which of the following reasons is relevant in your case, you should, of course, seek advice from a veterinarian at your nearest veterinary clinic. After examining your pet, the specialist will probably prescribe you to donate blood to the cat, its urine, and also do an ultrasound of the pet’s internal organs and an X-ray of the spine (more about). Thanks to the results of this minimum package of examinations, it will already be possible to draw the first conclusions about the causes of this disorder, and accordingly talk about the treatment of the disease.

Causes of impaired limb mobility in cats

Here we are directly approaching the very causes of impaired mobility of the cat’s limbs. One of them will definitely be indicated by the results of tests and examinations of a sick pet.

Glandular cystic hyperplasia in cats

This type of violation is also called. It is characterized not only by impaired mobility of the cat’s hind limbs - the animal pulls its paws - but also by frequent urination and increased thirst. At the same time, the pet looks weakened and prefers to spend most of the day lying down. Often, at an advanced stage of purulent endometritis, the cat experiences bloating and painful sensations, which the poor pet can report by loud meowing.

However, cases of purulent endometritis, due to physiological characteristics, can only occur in cats.

As for the treatment of such a disorder, it involves the removal of the inflamed uterus and ovaries. Such a simple strip operation can be performed in any veterinary clinic. As for attempts at drug treatment, they do not justify the hopes placed on them, since there is a high risk of relapses after the next heat.

Pinched sciatic nerve in a cat

An animal may also pull its hind legs due to a pinched sciatic nerve. Veterinarians themselves claim that such cases occur quite often in their practice. But diagnosing and treating such a disorder is not so easy. Since pinching can be practically asymptomatic - the cat's appetite, toilet and sleep are not disturbed in most cases, but only some limitation in the animal's mobility - the cat has difficulty walking, it is difficult for her to sit, she lies, stretching out her hind legs, indicate that that the animal is still unwell.

Treatment should be carried out by a veterinarian who has an approach to animals, since cats in this condition are very timid and even distrustful of their owners.

Diseases of internal organs

Often, diseases of the internal organs may be accompanied by a symptom such as limited mobility of the cat’s hind limbs. If there are problems with the liver or kidneys, the cat may pull its paws. In order to exclude the possibility of these diseases, it is necessary to take not only an x-ray of the spine, but also donate the blood and urine of a sick cat for analysis. They are the ones who can say that perhaps the cat is sick, or has kidney stones, or perhaps we are talking about kidney failure. Depending on the test results and diagnosis, a course of treatment is prescribed.