My older cat's back legs twitch when lying down. Is she in pain?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If you think Tinkerbell is having back leg problems and she appears to be in pain, I am concerned that this could be what we call a Saddle Thrombus. This is a condition in which a clot breaks free and travels through the aorta down to the saddle (where the femoral arteries branch off of the aorta). This causes paralysis and severe pain. This is typically related to heart disease. I would recommend having Tinkerbell examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These are general signs that can be seen with a lot of conditions. It could be due to a neurologic condition or perhaps an orthopedic condition causing some kind of pain or discomfort. If this continues, I recommend you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to start with a good physical examination and possibly diagnostics to get to the bottom of this so that therapy if any can be started. Have a great day!

Hip disease is more common in older cats, it's usually due to arthritis but can be caused by other joint conditions as well. you will have to take her to the vet in order to get it checked, the vet might need to do an xray to evaluate the severity of the condition.

I would be most concerned either a neurologic issue, such as a slipped disc pushing on her spine, or a blood clot lodged in the blood supply for her rear end (called Feline Saddle Thrombosis). I would recommend taking her to a vet ASAP to further evaluation.

I would be concerned that this may be related to some underlying discomfort as most cats will rotate positions and bend both legs at some time. Pets are right/left handed as are people and most will prefer a certain side but not to the point of never changing position. A thorough exam and xray of the paw/leg should be considered as early treatment and diet change/supplementation can help to reduce the impact pf injuries and arthritis in later life

I'm sorry to hear that Jinx seems painful and has been sleeping more than normal. It is possible that all of his signs are related to arthritis, but sleeping more could be due to underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, among others. To answer your question, yes, you should take Jinx to the vet for further evaluation. He will certainly need a physical exam and may also need some lab testing to assess his internal organ function. I hope that all goes well!

Twitching in older cats can be due to a number of reasons including aging-related muscle atrophy, arthritis, nerve issues, injury, underlying illness, etc. If the twitch is increasing in severity, or is affecting Princess' ability to get around, having it evaluated by your vet or another local vet is a good idea. If they suspect something such as a neurologic or muscular issue, they may also refer you to a specialist for more testing. In the mean time, keeping Princess comfortable and going about her normal activities as best as possible may help, however if she appears in pain or discomfort, seeking care is best.