Kitten unable to Walk

[momps61]

I volunteer at an animal shelter and on July 6th a lady brought a very young kitten to surrender but the shelter was unable to accept the kitten.  I brought the kitten home and was feeding her with a bottle and she seemed to be doing fine.  A couple weeks later the kitten became unable to walk and it's head was flopping from side to side.  We took her to the vet and they ran some tests but everything came back ok and they gave her two prescriptions and she seemed to perk up and started walking again.  Then we noticed her front paw was flopping and appeared to be deformed-not a really big deal.  Then last week she became unable to walk again and we have again taken her back to the vet who basically said they don't know what to do, gave us more medicine (the same thing as before) and more or less said she should be put down.  She eats fine is able to use her litter pan with assistance, purrs and plays with a special toy. I do not want to put her down to make our life easier but I don't want to be selfish either.  She does not appear to be in pain as far as we can tell.

[CML2014]

Hi momps...

Well I am no vet either , but I sure would not accept the "Gee we don't know what it could be, let's put her down"

I Mean , REALLY?
Sorry, but these vets make me so angry sometimes. They are always ready with the meds, but they are usually a generic  that takes care  (or covers up) a multitude of symptons.

I have a Feline Medical Handbook and just by looking up Neurological symptons they have:

HypoCALCIMIA

Thiamine deficiency

Vestibular diorders

Inherited Metabolic Diseases---which produce a number of degenerative changes in the central nervous system, due to a specific enzyme missing.

Signs of IMD first appear after weaning. The kittens gait may be wobbly  and unstable, as this progress weakness , paralysis of the back limbs, and seizures with blindness are noticed. Sometimes they will use their head on the ground to balance themselves.
*
All of the above info is from this book--if I can find these possibilities your vet sure should  .......At least you would know what your dealing with.

Some of these can be controlled when properly diagnosed, so I would call your vet and ask him to give you the name of her condition. Although, if he wants money there will be plenty of tests.

Do you have a Veterinary School near you?? They would be your best bet.

PLease, Please keep us posted!
  

[momps61]

Thanks so much for your response.  PUtting her down will be my last resort.  We have six other cats and two dogs but this kitten is the most special one because she totally needs us and is dependant upon us.  Will continue to search for advice on treatments and /or any type of therapy that might be available.

[opus88]

I should add that if a longer term steroid is going to be used as a trial...its safest to use the drug called Atopica....talk to your Vet abt this as an option

♥

[opus88]

good for you for at least giving this kitten a fighting chance, I'm just so sorry she is having such troubles now

I'm no Vet....but I am 'assuming' the Vet gave her some steroid medication..thats usually par for the course when they run into something with unknown cause, and if it was a steroid it would make sense that there is some neurological or spinal inflammation that this medication temporarily helped..by reducing the inflammation.

It doesn't seem the Vets are thinking there is any long term help?? I am not sure if a longer course of this med would correct whatever is wrong? Steroids can give some nasty side effects and long term health problems such as diabetes, but if trying this course of action for a few weeks may save her life than I think it maybe warranted.

I guess its a wait and see situation isn't it, as long as you are able to cope with her disabilities as they are and she isn't in pain and is managing basic necessities than there really isn't a rush to put her to sleep is there???

I wish you both the best, please keep us updated on how she is doing and what you decide...good luck♥