Why my cat can't walk?
My cat cannot walk although the causes that cause this difficulty are not always serious, it is usually necessary to go to the vet to prescribe the most appropriate treatment, as soon as the cause that prevents correct walking is discovered.
We will see that sometimes recovery may require surgery, hence the importance of veterinary consultation. That way if your cat walks strangely or directly doesn't walk, don't hesitate to visit the vet.
My cat can't walk
Before starting to explain the reasons why a cat cannot walk, we should pay attention to the characteristics of this handicap. A cat can become paralyzed when it stops walking altogether. This is the most common problem of the hind legs, completely preventing them from moving. So she does not walk and does not stand.
Other times, the cat cannot walk due to the failure of its legs, most often also of its hind legs. In these cases, we will see weakness. The cat can stand up, but falls, unable to move. Sometimes she succeeds but with strange movements, lifting her legs unnaturally or moving in circles. Other times, difficulty moving occurs because the cat has tremors, cramps, or seizures all over its body.
The reasons why a cat cannot walk
A run, a shock, a dog attack, or a fall from a great height can be the cause of our cat not being able to walk. This happens when there is an impact in the spine so that the nerve is disconnected from the connection with the legs, which remain stationary. In addition, such traumas can cause more serious injuries, so a quick transition to the veterinarian is required, as constant careful handling of the animal.
In general, when it comes to paralysis caused by trauma, the animal tends to try to move with its healthy legs, pulling those who were affected. That is why we observe that the cat pulls its hind or front legs. And if all sides are damaged, then obviously none of them will move.
An X-ray or MRI can provide us with information about the condition of the spine. Depending on the damage, this will be the prognosis. Medication, rehabilitation, or surgery may be required. The cat may recover or maintain its sequelae. To prevent this, we must prevent the cat from getting outside without control and put mosquito nets on the windows so that it does not fall.
On the other hand, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can also cause paralysis of the cat's legs, especially its hind legs and tail, due to the failure of the cardiovascular system and, consequently, a decrease in blood flow.
What is the reason why my cat loses balance while walking?
There are many reasons why a cat cannot walk due to weakness, usually on its hind legs. In older cats, we can see that they stop climbing to heights, even if they are small. This may be a sign of pain due to a degenerative process such as osteoporosis.
In addition, cats that have recovered from diseases such as leukopenia can maintain neurological sequelae that affect their gait. They are cats that do not walk perfectly straight, raise their legs exaggeratedly to take a step, lose their balance easily, or show a lack of coordination between their legs. This damage may be irreparable but it does not prevent them from leading a normal life.
Vestibular syndrome is a neurological disorder that produces symptoms such as tilting the head, walking in a circle, nystagmus (constant eye movements), strabismus, or ataxia, producing asymmetry that makes walking difficult. This syndrome can be triggered by trauma, otitis, infectious diseases, etc. The solution passes a good neurological examination that allows one to identify the provoking cause. It can be cured, but some cats leave an arc in the head as a permanent injury.
Finally, an imbalance can also be justified by an ear infection, for which, again, a visit to a specialist is mandatory.
My cat staggers and falls, why?
Sometimes, our cat cannot walk because he has lost control of his body, and suffers from seizures, tremors, or convulsions, sometimes accompanied by other symptoms. This picture usually corresponds to poisoning and requires immediate veterinary assistance. The prognosis will depend on the material with which the cat came into contact, the time of contact, or the size of the kittens.
To avoid fears, we must make sure that the environment we offer our cat is safe, preventing its access to potentially toxic substances or plants. Particular care should be taken with antiparasitic products for dogs, as they sometimes contain active ingredients that are toxic to cats.
If we know the substance that poisoned our cat, we must tell the veterinarian. With fluid therapy and medication.
My cat does not walk well, does she have injuries?
Sometimes a cat cannot walk or does it with difficulty due to an injury, usually to the foot. So if we suspect any local damage, as long as the cat has not had an accident or has other symptoms, we must examine the fingers, nails, and pads well. If we find any injury the veterinarian should be notified.
Avoiding hot surfaces or keeping their nails well-groomed can reduce these problems. Likewise, establishing a routine to periodically check the condition of these areas will help us to quickly identify any wound, preventing it from becoming infected and from worsening the clinical picture.