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My cat (F 2yo) has been very afectionate and woken me numerous times overnight. Then we noticed that she was walking into objects and that her back legs were slipping and weak. She is very acive and does not seem to notice the problem. She is eating quite a bit (compulsive?) and is very playful and seeking a lot of attention. There is no head tilt, but some sidway walking. If she was human I would guess intoxication.
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Cat Gender: F Age: 2 Name of Cat: Lucy
It sounds like Lucy may have a problem with her balance (walking or falling into objects, swaying in the hind end, sideways walking).
This could represent potential intoxication, inner ear infection (I would expect a head tilt and abnormal eye movements with this, but it doesn't always happen), or a problem with the brain.
Have been looking but there isnothing that I have seen that she could have gotten into. There is no catnip in her toys. The balance made me think stroke at first... but her activity is high.
Is there any potential that she could have gotten into any anti-freeze or alcohol?
There is clear rear leg weakness. No antifreeze (indoor cat only) and no ETOH in house.
Has your regular veterinarian ever mentioned finding any abnormalities with Lucy's heart?
No
Saddle Thrombus?
She has gained weight over the year we have her.. she seems small but is 8lbs
With weakness and balance loss, the clinical signs point to a problem with the nervous system. These can range from blood clots to infection to tumors. Occasionally, and often considered the best case scenario, middle and inner ear infections can mimic a neurologic problem due to the effects on the sensory organ for balance being irritated. This is very common in the cat. Saddle thrombus can also occur in the cat. They present with loss of rear leg function (of varying degree), cooler than normal rear legs and decreased pulse and blood pressure to rear legs. The rear legs are also painful with a saddle thrombus.
There does not appear to be pain.
I am thinking that this warrants a trip to my vet. Thanks.
With the signs that you are describing, you and Lucy should be best served by having her examined by an area veterinarian for a thorough neorologic exam with particular attention paid to whether or not the signs are peripheral or central in nature (ear versus brain). If the problem is peripheral (cat knows where legs are and can hop; just lacks balance), than your veterinarian will do an otoscopic exam and may recommend imaging the skull to gauge the extent of infection before starting treatment.
Experience: 7 years of mobile veterinary service for horses, dogs and cats.