whats wrong with my cat?

Question

late this summer I fostered a 4 weeks old black female kitten,named her jacky but in august she was limping really badly and would not let me touch her back legs/tail/ or lower back. I've been taking her to the vet since, gotten x-rays, had her on countless steriods and anti-biotics but nothing is working. she was a stray that my friend found and she was fine until a few months ago though she never was able to jump and though she's almost a year she's only 4 pounds, whats wrong?

Answer 1

Maybe she has a pinched nerve when jumping from a height or so, (if the vet can't find any injury after x-ray) sometimes I give my cats (3) a back massage they really enjoy, or if you try to stretch her by laying on a table or couch on her belly paws towards the front and back - very carefully because of possible injuries (I take them sometimes by holding them under the front paws/belly area and carefully lay them on my knees on there back - maybe a dislocated disk or nerve comes free, (if it is the back) -also if limping maybe check if she has any objects in her paws (bad nails etc.) that could cause infection or/ and pain
I hope someone can help you -

Answer 2

I'de definately get a second opinion. Poor thing, what would help the vet, if you haven't already done this, would be to see exactly where on her backside hurts her the most. Try doing some "tests" by gently moving her legs or tail to see which movement seems to hurt the most. Of course when she screams stop, but if you can tell the vet what seems to hurt her the most it will be easier for them to find a problem. It might be a very small something that they didn't see in the X-ray and by you doing those things will help them look closer.

Answer 3

Definately seek another opinion. It is hard to tell what could possibly be wrong with her by what you said and obviously the vet you are taking her to is not much help. As far as her weight, you need to be concerned as four pounds is underweight for a cat her age regardless of how little she is. When I worked in a vets office, we sold a tube of stuff (no prescription needed). It is a high calorie dietary supplement that comes in a tube. You can buy it at this website (www.entirelypets.com) and put about a 2 inch ribbon in her mouth. It helps to stimulate the diet, but at the same time gives her calories that she needs. The best way to get her to take it if she does not eat it on her own (most cats do though) is to place some on the tip of your finger and scrape it off with the underside of her top teeth, she will lick it off from there. I know it sounds cruel, but really it is not and it is one of the easiest ways to get her to take it. Good luck and keep us informed.

Answer 4

Take her to a specialty clinic. If your vet cannot figure out what is wrong after doing all of that, he needs to go back to school! It could be neurological and I am surprised he has not done a complete blood count and urinalysis. What you are describing is definitely not normal and she needs more help. You can also contact the Cornell Feline Health Center's Camuti Consultation service. It is $50 for a phone consult, but they gave me over 30 minutes and REALLY took the time and had the knowledge to help figure out what was wrong.

Answer 5

Since she was a stray and her early life is unknown, I would wonder about a viral infection early in her kitten-hood, or even during her mother's pregnancy. Some viruses can cause the brain to develop improperly and result in neurological signs later in life. Ask the vet to check your kitten for things like Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and maybe try to investigate the upper respiratory diseases and parasites like Toxoplasma as well. Sadly, if she has neuro signs from a neonatal viral infection, it is unlikely to get better as time passes. Keep us posted, I'd love to know what happens...

Answer 6

Like others said, get a second opinion. Some cats don't like being touched in some places, but if your kitty is limping and can't jump, there's a problem.

She is very small, and I do wonder if being taken from her mother so young has anything to do with it. You might want to try getting some kind of high-calorie-high-nutrition food for her.

Good luck!

Answer 7

i'd personally go with another veterinary opinion particularly one that specializes in feline-only vet care. They may have then seen this. If you live in a major city you may be able to locate a cat only vet clinic who may know more about this. Sounds like a neurological disorder which is making her feel chronic pain.

Answer 8

Go to the organization the sponsers the cat and tell them you are getting another opinion. I had a jerk give my cat pills for a mange/fungus on her chin. Not only did it not clear up, I found out later, by the vet own admission, that those pills were responsible for giving my baby diabetes. For almost a year I had to give her shots and feed her a lamb/rice diet which she walked away from. The diabetes went away on it's own but I never forgave him for what he put us both through. GET ANOTHER OPINION! Your cat is in pain!

Answer 9

your best bet is to get another opinion from a different vet. If you have a university with a vet school then that is a good place to take the cat. This way you can get mutiple answers if you allow the students to examine her.

Answer 10

Is she spayed? My cat was very small until she got spayed. As a matter of fact, she was almost too small to be spayed. That is about the only thing I can suggest except a second vet opinion. I'm sorry!