My cat has lost much ability to walk, eat properly, what could be wrong? Could he have cryptococcus?

Question

Last night, while playing w/ my kitten (5 mo. old) he suddenly was unable to walk, his hind legs stopped supporting him, and after a while he couldn't stand up altogether. He can't lift his head all the way and he has trouble getting food down unless I feed him (he cant control his head movements). I took him to the ER vet and they were confused, said it could be several things but some symptoms point to brain problems, others point to the brain stem, nothing matches up. I had several tests done and all were negative. They suggested a blood test for cryptococcus but couldn't do it as the lab was closed (it was 1 am). Some symptoms match up w/ cryptococcus but many others don't, he lacks a few of the most common ones (sores, drippy nose) and still tries to play, not seeming to notice he can't move well. His heart rate is very high and when I touch near his eyes, he barely blinks. His joints are very stiff and the back of his neck feels swollen. Does anybody know what this is? Help!

He's strictly indoors and has never been outside. Also, I'm in San Diego, and the Vet said it's a hotspot for cryptococcus, though she also said they get it from inhaling usually from soil, which he's never been around. He's very aware of his surroundings but is completely unable to lift his head up. I'm not sure what else.

Answer 1

It does sound like a bit of a strange case...certainly sounds neurological though. Just very hard to localise- some things sound like midbrain (though he should be mentally depressed with that), some things sounds almost like high spinal cord, but there's always something that doesn't quite fit.

It being so sudden (from what you say, it sounds literally like one minute he was fine, and the next he was like this?) seems almost like a traumatic thing. There'd be very little else I could think of that would be that fast in onset. Did they do any imaging while you were at the ER with him to try to rule out something like that?

It sounds like they may be suggesting a crypto test to rule it out as much as anything. Obviously it's impossible to say without seeing him for myself, but it doesn't really sound typical of crypto to me. Some things sounds almost like toxo or meningitis too...do you know whether he had a fever or not when the vet examined him? I guess at a push that it may be something like acute polyradiculoneuritis (known in dogs as "coonhound paralysis", but is very rare in cats and I've never heard of it being 'instant' onset)...just trying to throw out some ideas here.

It doesn't sound good, but I really hope that you do find a happy ending here. All the best.

Answer 2

sounds similar to something one of my cats had when I was a kid. Cat was bout 5 yrs old and we all went to Florida for vacation. when we came home the cat wasn't eating and to walk it would lean against the wall and then go down the hall. after a few more days the cat couldn't' walk at all and its head would rotate around like the cat was drunk or something.

the cat was taken to the vet and then shipped to another state to a specialist. they never figured it out but the cat died the next day. they all said it had to be a virus or disease in the brain or nervous system. kind of like meningitis in humans.

I praise all your effort and ER vet trips and have been there myself many times. But hate to say it I do believe your best thing to do is go back and have her put down. She is in agony more than you realize and if she is purring....then that is a clear sign she is dying.

Cats will purr when they are seriously ill or hurt. I know its hard to do specially since she is a kitten. I would say she got something as a kitten prior to her shots or didn't get enough mothers milk and her brain was effected. I had one that had that issue.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

this happened to my mothers kitten. While injecting the antibiotic the vet might have hit the sciatic nerve in his leg. It could take anything from a week to months for the leg to recover completely. I would go back to the vet or find a second opinion.

Answer 5

'Moejaymom' is onto something in my view... Also, has your cat been anywhere people might have laid some form of garden pest poison, e.g., slug pellets? Or have you or a neighbour recently sprayed any weedkiller? I hope your pet recovers soon, but if he is still exhibiting symptoms please take him to your vet again and get that test done.

Answer 6

Well has he gone outside at all? he might have gotten into a fight with some other cats but u know it might be a desise like u said. But i woudint worry to mutch just keep track of him DONOT let him play put him in a cage and u should feed him milk from a boddle but u shoud go to the lab for tests until then keep him in the cage im sure it will help.

Answer 7

Take him to another vet immediately, get the test and insist that they investigate this further! If they can't do anything and he is suffering, you may need to help to ease his suffering permanently to be humane. Of course, do what can be done first.

Answer 8

did anyone in your household step on him by accident? this sounds as if he may have spinal cord injury...is he still urinating? im thinking also since his hind legs gave out could be bladder infection also...maybe you were playing too roughly for the little guy and he twisted or turned wrong and injured the spinal cord im puzzled as well hope he comes out of it and is ok...

Answer 9

is there any possibility that your kitten ate any drugs or medications... pesticides? Sounds neurological to me. I hope your little one fully recovers! Why didn't the vet keep him in for observation?

Answer 10

Sorry to hear your kitten is sick!

PETED01 Saturday October 21, 2006

Cryptococcosis neoformans

Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.



Cryptococcosis is caused by a fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, which is widespread in the environment and can infect cats, dogs, and people. While this fungus is widespread, it infects a relatively small number of animals. It is primarily a problem in animals that have a deficient or suppressed immune system. This fungus is well known in human medicine as the disease that infects up to 20% of AIDS patients. The organism is relatively easy to diagnose and treatment can be performed successfully if instituted early.

Where is it found?

Cryptococcus is widespread throughout all of North America. The fungus has been isolated from several different locations including soil, fruits, and even the skin of healthy people. While it can be found almost anywhere, the primary source of exposure to people and animals is in bird excreta. Even more specifically it appears to be very closely associated with pigeon feces. The high body temperature of pigeons prevents them from becoming infected, but the fungus can pass through their GI tract and become concentrated in their feces. The high level of creatinine in pigeon feces also creates an environment that is desirable for cryptococcus and if the fungus is protected from drying or sunlight it may live for up to two years.

How do pets or people become infected?

Pets and people contract the Cryptococcus infection primarily by inhaling the fungal particles. After the particles are inhaled, they can take up residence in the nasal cavities or lungs. Some studies have shown that in a population of healthy dogs up to 14% of them had Cryptococcus present in their nasal cavities. In a similar study of healthy cats, up to 7% contained the organism in their nasal passages.

After Cryptococcus reaches the lungs or nasal cavity, it can do one of several things. In most healthy animals, the fungus remains isolated and never creates any symptoms of problems. In animals with a suppressed immune system, e.g., from excessive steroid use, the disease can progress and create granulomas, pneumonia, or systemic disease and symptoms. In addition, cats that have immunosuppressing diseases such as feline leukemia or FIV are also more likely to develop severe disease.

What symptoms are present?

Cryptococcosis affects cats of all ages and breeds. Some studies have shown that Siamese cats may be slightly more susceptible to the disease than other breeds. A group of 100 cats with cryptococcus were examined for the incidence of different symptoms. 50% of the cats had sneezing and nasal discharge, 40% had skin lesions, 35% had a nasal mass, 10% had eye problems, and 10% had central nervous system problems. Most infected cats did not have a fever but many chronically infected cats were lethargic, did not eat, and suffered from weight loss.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis can be successfully achieved by several different methods. One of the fastest and easiest ways to get a diagnosis is to examine the discharge from the nose or skin lesions. Cryptococcus is usually present in high numbers in the discharge and can be identified under the microscope. A blood test is also available to identify the fungus. The latex agglutination test is the most widely used and accurate of the blood tests and can be performed by a veterinarian. Identification of the organism through cultures or biopsies can also be used.

How is it treated?

Treatment of cats usually involves the use of oral itraconazole, fluconazole, or ketoconazole. These drugs have some potential side effects and must be used for several months or longer to be effective. Intravenous treatments of the drug Amphotericin B can also be used but may be more toxic to some animals.

Because of the high incidence of an underlying immunosuppressing disease with cryptococcal infections, a complete work-up of all infected animals should be performed. The underlying condition should be treated to ensure the success of treating the cryptococcal infection.

How can you prevent it?

There are currently no vaccinations available to prevent cryptococcus. Cryptococcus is primarily only contracted from the environment, so the best prevention is to keep pets away from areas that are contaminated with the fungus, especially areas with pigeon feces. Transmission from infected animals to other animals or people is extremely rare and not considered a risk.