What causes hind leg weakness in cats?

Metabolic diseases, such as feline diabetes mellitus, can cause unusual signs (such as a neuropathy causing a plantigrade stance of the hind legs) which may present as the collapse of the back legs. Other metabolic diseases (such as kidney disease) can cause weakness which can present as rear leg weakness.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on allaboutcats.com


What can cause a cat to have wobbly back legs?

Kidney Disease in Cats

Most often the back legs appear wobbly or buckle unexpectedly underneath your cat.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on handicappedpets.com


Why is my cat suddenly having trouble walking?

Are you wondering why your cat can't walk and keeps falling over? This loss of body control in cats can result from or can be caused by seizures in cats, tremors or tics, sometimes accompanied by other symptoms. These cases are often caused by cat poisoning, which requires immediate veterinary attention.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on animalwised.com


How can I strengthen my cats hind legs?

To strengthen the hind limbs, lift the abdomen so that the front legs are off the ground. This improves rear leg weight bearing/strength, range of motion, and hip extension. While sitting on a chair or couch, have your cat's back legs on the floor and lift the front legs up on a cushion or two (placed on the ground).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on amcny.org


Can a cat regain muscle mass?

Successful treatment leads to weight gain and increase of BCS in most cats, but almost half fail to regain normal muscle mass.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


What causes back leg weakness in cats?



What causes muscle weakness in cats?

Hypokalemia is the most common cause of generalized muscle weakness in cats.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vcahospitals.com


Why is my cat stumbling and falling over?

Vestibular disease is a condition in which a cat suddenly develops incoordination, falling or circling to one side, involuntary darting of the eyes back and forth (called nystagmus), a head tilt, and often nausea or vomiting. These clinical signs usually appear suddenly, often in less than an hour.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vcahospitals.com


Can cats get arthritis in their back legs?

Arthritis in Back Legs

Arthritis can affect any part of a cat's body, but it's common in the legs. When cat arthritis occurs in the back legs it can greatly limit your cat's mobility. In some cases, cat arthritis can cause lameness where the cat will begin limping or favoring one leg when they walk.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pets.webmd.com


What does ataxia look like in cats?

Symptoms of Ataxia in Cats

An ataxic cat may look like they are drunk, with a wobbly gait, swaying, and increased drowsiness. They may also have more subtle symptoms, such as a mild head tilt or a curling under of the toes while walking.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petmd.com


Does kidney disease in cats affect their hind legs?

You may notice your cat's back twitching. This is a symptom of end stage cat kidney failure. Back legs are also important to keep an eye on – if your cat suddenly develops a stiff-legged gait or has rear-leg weakness, kidney problems are likely prevalent within your pet.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on okvets.com


Can a cat recover from hind leg paralysis?

Acupuncture or laser therapy may help recovery. If voluntary movement, pain sensation, and spinal reflexes improve over 1 to 2 months, the outlook for recovery is good. An Elizabethan collar may be needed to prevent the cat from chewing on its leg.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merckvetmanual.com


How do I know if my cat has hip dysplasia?

Signs and Symptoms of Cat Hip Dysplasia
  1. Avoiding exercise or physical activity.
  2. Excessive licking or chewing of the affected area.
  3. Limping.
  4. Difficulty getting up and moving.
  5. Sudden reluctance to use the litter box (if it has high sides, it can be hard for cats with joint issues to get in and out of the litter box)
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dailypaws.com


How do I know if my cat has a neurological problem?

The signs that your cat may be suffering from a neurologic disorder include: reluctance or refusal to use its litter box; altering the way it interacts with its owner and others; and a noticeable change in its gait and apparent sense of balance. An affected cat, says Dr. Dewey, may suddenly “flop down and flail around.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vet.cornell.edu


What is Manx syndrome in a cat?

05th September 2018. The Manx breed of cat was developed on the Isle of Man in the UK, but the breed is defined by a mutation that shortens the tail. A variety of tail lengths are actually seen, from normal to taillessness, but it is tailless or extremely short-tailed cats that are characteristic of the breed.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on icatcare.org


What is knuckling in cats?

Signs & Symptoms of Limping

Here are some common signs and symptoms of limping in cats. Walking at a slower pace. Unable to walk or run normally. Refusing to place any weight on leg. Not placing paw on the floor correctly (referred to as 'knuckling')
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on broglilaneweaver.com


What are signs of arthritis in cats?

The most common signs cat owners may notice include:
  • Difficulty getting up and down.
  • Walking stiffly.
  • Lameness in one or more legs.
  • Reluctance to go up and/or down stairs.
  • Reluctance to jump up or down (onto/off furniture or into/out of a vehicle)
  • Stiff, swollen, or sore joints.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vcahospitals.com


What medicine can I give my cat for arthritis?

Fortunately, there has been an increase in options available to help manage and treat arthritis pain in cats.
...
Several classes and types of prescription medications can ease a cat's pain:
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (when used carefully)
  • Neuromodulating drugs (like gabapentin)
  • Steroids.
  • Opioids.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petmd.com


What can I give my senior cat for arthritis?

Living with an Arthritic Senior Cat
  • Joint supplements containing glucosamine and/or chondroitin can help some cats.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids can help relieve pain from arthritis and other causes.
  • Adequan is an injectable product that can be used to help relieve arthritis pain and is effective for many cats.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petmd.com


Why is my cat acting drunk and wobbly?

It's likely your cat is experiencing an issue with her vestibular system. The feline vestibular system is essentially the balance center of her brain. When something is amiss in this complex web of nerves and synapses, she's likely to become dizzy, disoriented, and have trouble with muscle coordination.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on gallant.com


What's the average lifespan of a house cat?

Indoor cats live on average 10-15 years, while outdoor cats live on average 2-5 years This handout is intended to help you sort out the pros and cons associated with each lifestyle so you can rest assured your cat will have both an enriched life and protection from environmental hazards.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vetmed.ucdavis.edu


What does a stroke look like in a cat?

Strokes in cats occur when blood flow to the brain suddenly gets interrupted, often due to a blood clot. Signs of a stroke in cats include stumbling, pressing their head against a hard surface, and weakness. Strokes in cats require immediate and sometimes ongoing treatment to give your cat the best chance for recovery.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodrx.com


How can I get my cat to have more potassium?

Natural Sources of Potassium for Cats
  1. Salmon.
  2. Chicken.
  3. White Beans.
  4. Potatoes.
  5. Lamb.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petkeen.com


What are symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats?

The most common sign of hyperthyroidism in cats is weight loss despite an increased appetite. Other common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, drinking and urinating more than normal, and an unkempt hair coat. Because the disease develops gradually, signs are often easy to miss at first.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fda.gov


What happens if a cat has low potassium?

Hypokalemia can occur when there is inadequate potassium in a cat's diet or when a cat receives a large amount of intravenous fluids. Severely low blood levels of potassium result in muscle weakness, an inability to raise the head, and arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merckvetmanual.com


What is wobbly cat syndrome?

Cerebellar Hypoplasia, also known as CH and wobbly cat syndrome, is a neurological disorder that causes sudden jerky movements, uncoordinated motion and loss of balance. In a CH cat, the brain does not develop properly.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bluepearlvet.com
Previous question
Can worms eat egg shells?
Next question
Where is network discovery?