Why are my cats back legs suddenly weak?

Cats with heart disease can develop a sudden onset lameness or paralysis, essentially a sudden inability to move a limb. The most common cause of rear limb paralysis in cats is a blood clot that goes to the back leg, called a saddle thrombus or arterial thromboembolism (ATE).

Why is my cat wobbly all of a sudden?

Peripheral vestibular disease (PVD) directly affects the nerves and brain and is usually caused by some sort of infection, drug reaction, or tissue growths within the ear canal itself. Most cases of sudden kitty imbalance are chalked up to idiopathic vestibular disease (IVD), for which no determined cause exists.

What causes wobbly legs in cats?

These kittens may have cerebellar hypoplasia. Often referred to as ‘wobbly kittens’ or ‘wobbly cats’, cerebellar hypoplasia is an unusual neurological disorder as a result of interrupted development of the brain, leading to uncoordinated movement or ataxia.

Why is my cat walking funny all of a sudden?

The most common sign of ataxia, regardless of the cause, is an abnormal gait in which the cat is very unsteady on her feet. If the ataxia is caused by a lesion in the cerebellum, the cat will walk with an exaggerated “goose-stepping” gait called hypermetria.

Why is my cat losing strength in his back legs?

Weakness and stiffness can be due to bone, ligament, muscle problems, nerve damage, neurological issues, or organ failure. It can be triggered by injury (sprains, strains, and broken bones) or by a progressive disease, such as arthritis. Weak and stiff back legs in cats can come on suddenly or more gradually.

How can you tell if your cat has been poisoned?

Signs & Symptoms of Cat Poisoning

  • Coughing.
  • Drooling/Salivation.
  • Seizure or twitching.
  • Difficulty breathing (labored or rapid)
  • Diarrhea.
  • Vomiting.

Why is my cat losing her balance?

An inner ear infection can cause a cat to experience vertigo. But a cat that stumbles, walks with stiff legs or shakes its head repeatedly may have a brain disease known as cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects muscle control and movement. A disease with similar symptoms, ataxia, causes a loss of balance, too.

Why is my cat stumbling?

An inner ear infection can cause a cat to experience vertigo. But a cat that stumbles, walks with stiff legs or shakes its head repeatedly may have a brain disease known as cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects muscle control and movement. Cats contract this disease in utero—or if they are malnourished or poisoned.

Why is my cat walking weird back legs?

If a cat has diabetic neuropathy, her hind legs become increasingly damaged as the leg’s tarsal joints and nerves deteriorate, leading to numbness or pain as well as weakness and possible paralysis. It’s common to see a cat walking on her hocks, or heels, if she’s suffering from this condition.

Why are my Cats hind legs weak?

In some cases, the hind leg weakness may be caused by electrolyte imbalances (e.g. low potassium levels) related to excessive urination. Also, diabetes that is not under control can cause muscle wasting (diabetes is a catabolic or “breaking down” disease) and your cat’s back leg problems may be due to this.

What is possible cause of leg weakness in cats?

Leg weakness in cats can be caused by a wide range of illnesses. Neurological orders such as epilepsy can cause this. Other causes can be diabetes, hypokalemia, an injury to the Achilles tendon, hyperthyroidism as well as liver or kidney problems.

What causes paralysis in cat’s back legs?

These include: Blood Clot: Thrombosis where the aorta joins with iliac arteries results in paralysis of both legs. Tick bite: Ticks bites can release neurotoxins into the cat, resulting in nervous system malfunction and paralysis. Stroke: Lack of oxygen to the brain destroys the part of brain controlling leg movement. Trauma: Broken pelvis, injured spine

Do kittens have legs or paws?

They walk on four limbs or legs. They may be able to walk on two legs, but not as a preference. Cats have legs; front and hind legs. Legs are weight-bearing limbs for locomotion. Cats are ‘digitigrades’ that is they walk on their toes (dogs do as well).