Why is Cat Dooku walking backwards
August 2, 2012 8:33 PM Subscribe
Why is my cat's left leg getting crampy and making him walk backwards?
Yesterday evening, three times this morning, and once this evening, there were periods of thirty seconds or so when Cat Dooku was lifting his left leg about once every two seconds, as if it was hurting him. This was causing him to walk backwards and causes him some distress, as he goes to hide when it happens. Afterwards, there seems to be a bit of stiffness in his left leg. We've watched him pretty closely since this morning, and his behavior seems otherwise completely normal. E.g., no favoring of either leg, except for a few minutes after each episode.
I have an appointment with a vet to get this checked out tomorrow at noon (Ithaca is a good place to find a vet), and took the video linked above mainly for that purpose, but I thought I would check with the hive mind, too. I have read on the internets that this behavior is sometimes caused by thrombosis. Are there other likely explanations?
Yesterday evening, three times this morning, and once this evening, there were periods of thirty seconds or so when Cat Dooku was lifting his left leg about once every two seconds, as if it was hurting him. This was causing him to walk backwards and causes him some distress, as he goes to hide when it happens. Afterwards, there seems to be a bit of stiffness in his left leg. We've watched him pretty closely since this morning, and his behavior seems otherwise completely normal. E.g., no favoring of either leg, except for a few minutes after each episode.
I have an appointment with a vet to get this checked out tomorrow at noon (Ithaca is a good place to find a vet), and took the video linked above mainly for that purpose, but I thought I would check with the hive mind, too. I have read on the internets that this behavior is sometimes caused by thrombosis. Are there other likely explanations?
Response by poster: Thanks, KokuRyu, that's interesting. How did the vet determine that it's epilepsy?
posted by Coventry at 8:43 PM on August 2, 2012
posted by Coventry at 8:43 PM on August 2, 2012
This was in Japan. We took the dog in and described the symptoms, and the vet said it was "seizures". He said it was harmless, although in retrospect I'm sure there were drugs we could have given our dear old dog.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:50 PM on August 2, 2012
posted by KokuRyu at 8:50 PM on August 2, 2012
How have his litter box habits been lately? Have you noticed him straining at the box? Is there any blood in his stool, or a lack of stool given the time that's passed since the last time you cleaned the box? I tend to associate this kind of locomotion with butt problems rather than leg problems.
posted by vorfeed at 10:24 PM on August 2, 2012
posted by vorfeed at 10:24 PM on August 2, 2012
My unfortunate experience with thrombosis was that my cat was unable to use the leg at all, but dragged it behind while moving forward.
posted by Meep! Eek! at 10:47 PM on August 2, 2012
posted by Meep! Eek! at 10:47 PM on August 2, 2012
When one of my cats developed ataxia, which included walking backwards awkwardly like yours but also included high stepping gait which yours doesn't seem to have, it was neurological damage due to advanced liver disease. When another of my cats started walking weirdly and favouring certain legs it was due to arthritis. Both needed medical intervention.
Cats going backwards is not normal and often a neurological symptom, so I'm glad you're going to the vet and hoping that tomorrow is now today. Anything or nothing may be wrong but this is a significant symptom that absolutely needs to be checked out as soon as you can.
Arthritis or other joint damage is diagnosed by examination and maybe x-ray. Liver or other metabolic conditions are diagnosed by blood tests (which need to be done correctly, so google the tests they plan or come and ask about them again). I don't know about seizures or neurological conditions.
And if he starts drooling (not a happy to see you dribble but wet mouth drooling), seizing, develops high stepping gait (google will give you a description), or reacting to things that aren't there then it becomes an emergency.
posted by shelleycat at 12:18 AM on August 3, 2012
Cats going backwards is not normal and often a neurological symptom, so I'm glad you're going to the vet and hoping that tomorrow is now today. Anything or nothing may be wrong but this is a significant symptom that absolutely needs to be checked out as soon as you can.
Arthritis or other joint damage is diagnosed by examination and maybe x-ray. Liver or other metabolic conditions are diagnosed by blood tests (which need to be done correctly, so google the tests they plan or come and ask about them again). I don't know about seizures or neurological conditions.
And if he starts drooling (not a happy to see you dribble but wet mouth drooling), seizing, develops high stepping gait (google will give you a description), or reacting to things that aren't there then it becomes an emergency.
posted by shelleycat at 12:18 AM on August 3, 2012
Best answer: Another possibility if his neurologic exam is OK: luxating patella. Can be intermittent and look like this.
posted by SinAesthetic at 8:05 AM on August 3, 2012
posted by SinAesthetic at 8:05 AM on August 3, 2012
Response by poster: SinAesthetic was correct. The vet is pretty sure that's what it is.
posted by Coventry at 9:58 AM on August 3, 2012
posted by Coventry at 9:58 AM on August 3, 2012
Well...IANYV, but IAAV. :) Depending on the grade, some need surgery, others seem to do OK with some rest and long-term administration of joint protective neutraceuticals like chondroitin (Cosequin). Most of these patients will eventually develop some degree of arthritis in that joint because of the instability and irregular wear. Make sure he's at optimum weight too: carrying around even 1 or 2 extra pounds when you only weigh 10 pounds is really significant and IMO is one of the single best (and free!) things you can do to help him live pain-free.
posted by SinAesthetic at 11:46 AM on August 3, 2012
posted by SinAesthetic at 11:46 AM on August 3, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:36 PM on August 2, 2012