My cat's hind legs are weak and he can't walk. What should I do?

If your cat is suddenly very weak, disoriented and unable to walk normally it is best to seek veterinary care at your vet or an ER clinic immediately. It is possible there is an injury, neruologic or muscular issue, illness, or other underlying problem that should be seen ASAP especially if it is causing disorientation and weakness.

It sounds like she has been treated very well so far but it I a complex case and indeed mri results should tell more as to whether there is a physical cause resulting in nerve compression. If negative, muscle weakness would be a concern which can be difficult to diagnose, muscle biopsy may also be cons

Ray could have a problem with his hips and/or back. Given that he is returning to the same symptoms, I think further testing is needed. I'd make an appointment to take him back into the vet, and I would discuss x-rays as a next step. Best of luck.

Monti have had a saddle thrombus which is a blood clot that cuts off circulation to the hind limbs and is usually very painful and not curable, even with heroics at an emergency veterinary hospital. Another possibility is trauma to the spine which is also usually not curable if the hind limbs are not moving/cold. I recommend bringing her to your veterinarian for an assessment and a discussion re: endpoints for humane euthanasia.

Difficulty walking could be a sign of neurologic disease, and infection would be a concern for a cat Fluff's age. Some parasites like toxoplasmosis can cause neurologic disease, as can viruses like the feline immunodeficiency virus. Difficulty walking could also be related to trauma but this might be more obvious on an exam. If the labs are not conclusive, a referral to a neurology specialist might be recommended as sometimes advanced diagnostics like an MRI and/or spinal tap are necessary for a diagnosis. If she continues to eat and drink normally and does not seem painful I'd wait for test results to come back and discuss the next step with your veterinarian.

If your cat cannot move his back legs, this is an emergency that needs immediate veterinary attention. Its possible that he may have thrown a blood clot to that has ruined his ability to have circulation to his back legs. Or he may have had something tramatic happen to his spine. Either way, Jebat needs to be seen by your veterinarian immediately. Hope he feels better!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly neck or back pain. I recommend that you have Kitty reevaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment since things have not improved. Likely diagnostics include radiographs. Treatment would be based on findings. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications to make kitty feel better. In the meantime, reduce his activity as much as possible as that in itself can make a big difference. Good luck and have a good day!