Elderly cat with ?arthritis - very worried

[Reynard]

Glad to hear all is well now.

The Tobster has arthritis and I know how distressing it was to see him limping. he did have a course of metacam earlier in the year and is now on a glucosamine and green-lipped mussel supplement which the vet recommended I give him. It's really made a diference to him.

Maybe worth giving it a try for Humbug?

[Rosella moggy]

The suddenness of this really doesn't seem to indicate arthritis if our Tom is anything to go by. He went downhill very slowly a couple of years ago but perked up with Metacam which he now has every morning. 

Now that the worst is over, are you able to remember any detrioration with the benefit of hindsight? If it was a stroke, I am not sure blood tests or xray will indicate anything but no bad thing to get bloods done anyway with a 16 year old to get early diagnosis of anything untoward.

We are now getting Tom tested annually and touch wood everything OK altho we suspect he had a stroke this summer and has slowly recovered. Nothing showed up in tests.  We now just keep fingers crossed.

[lilycat]

Glad to hear all's well...my Mavis was put on Metacam for her arthritis and it made a marvellous difference to the old girls legs - she was able to run around like a ten year old [she was 16] 

[Desley (booktigger)]

Am glad to hear that.

[Maddiesmum]

absolutely brilliant news keep it up puss

[hollihedge]

Just to let you know I am so very grateful to report that Humbug turned the corner yesterday morning.   She is eating almost normally, walking OK, going to the loo OK and even jumping onto her normally high vantage point on the windowsill.  I think it must be the Metacam kicking in, as does the vet.  She will be going back again to the vet on Monday am for another check-up but fingers crossed...

[Desley (booktigger)]

I really dont rate a vet agreeing that bloods and x-rays might be a good thing, but willing to leave a senior cat with sudden symptoms another 4 days.

[hollihedge]

Thanks for your replies guys.  I shall contact the vets first thing in the morning.  They are normally excellent (they are an animal hospital) but Hummy has not seen this vet before, I am wondering if she may be new.  She had said she was going to admit her for the X-rays etc, but then changed her mind as Humbug was freaking out with all the barking doggies (she is terrified of dogs) and she said her adrenaline was kicking in.  My partner gently suggested should she perhaps be admitted for tests etc (she said she would have to be anaesthetised for bloods and X-rays) but the vet said to see how she goes 'til Monday.  I am very, very glad to say she has just had a little bit of her favourite fresh tuna.  She did say to contact them if we were worried, so will do this.
Thanks again - will keep you posted (am also posting this on CatChat).

[CurlyCatz]

Wouldnt like to say or actually i couldnt say either way, to many list of possibilities but certainly it is on the list..I'd want the bloods and xrays though.

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Could it be she has had a stroke ? (lynn?)

[CurlyCatz]

Could be sponylosis of the spine and a barb has dug into her spinal colum or of course it could be actually heart related and a blood clot has disloged and then become stuck somewhere else.

However regardless of the possiblilities the fact is she is older and extremely unwell from the sound of it, she need to go back to the vet tomorrow and she should have full blood tests done (biochemistry & haematology) possibly fluids etc and of course full xrays of spine/pelvis abdo/thorax.

Good luck but remember she's your puss and its your money paying her bills so be demanding if need be with the vet.

 

[blackcat]

I would be surprised if arthritis might have such a sudden onset - I would be looking for a second opinion from a qualified vet ...

[hollihedge]

My normally spritely senior cat (about 16) has suddenly gone off her legs this morning. She is finding it almost impossible to walk even a few steps and is not eating. She has been lying by the fire all day. She has also not been to the 'loo since very early this morning. She saw the vet this morning (she has not seen this one before) who is not sure what is going on, but is querying arthritis and/or other things (she was non-specific). She has been prescribed Metacam, and we are to take her back on Monday, but I am very concerned as she seems far too unwell for it to be arthritis. Any info would be welcomed...
Many thanks