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.

[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♥

[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

♥

[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.

[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!
  

[opus88]

Excellent post CML........
I couldn't agree more, some Vets like our own drs. Just take the easy route all too quickly
Did your book say there's any treatment avail to give some hope if it should be IMD?

[CML2014]

It is hard to say if Metabolic Disorders can be helped. The key is to FIRST know what is missing in the metabolism that is causing the problem.
The way I understand it is;


Metabolism is made up of enzymes and other proteins that make chemical reaction happen . Some chemical reactions are needed by the body and some are dangerous. So identification is the first line of defense.

This is why I suggested a Veterenry School, they are always  a good bet at having experience with these conditions. If that particular enzyme or protein can be controlled with meds than it is not a death sentence, rather something for which meds will be needed to balance it for the rest of the cats life....but at least it can be controlled.

In fact momps might want to call or write the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School of Medicine. They have a program that is studying just this condition.

Look--maybe there is nothing that can be done and love and care is all you can give until the end comes....but I believe it is only fair to know what you are dealing with and get these answers from a qualified physician. Who knows it could just be vestibular ear problems, or a Thiamine deficiency , which can be controlled with meds or diet respectively.

What can I say--We pay for answers and answers are what we should get, right??

[SassyLassie]

Vets and doctors like this really tick me off.

I agree with the other posters, do everything possible to help the poor kitty, my heart aches for her, poor baby.

If the vets will not do anything, maybe giving it baby "B" vitamins would help. Also, liquid trace minerals, I gave my dog this when she was older and had some of the same symptoms, it helped.

This may sound weird, but, also, if there is a chiropractor near that does animals, ask him, the one where I lived was able to help my dog some, animals, like people, can have misplaced vertebrae and they can cause similar symptoms.

[FurballsMom]

I couldn't agree more with the other posters.  And, I love the research that was involved.  Ever wish we had a "like button" for such good posts?  I wouldn't have even known what to suggest, but I read these posts and they all make such good sense.  I have a chiropractor who I have seen adjust a large dog years ago.  It's pretty much the same as adjusting us people, believe it or not.  The same basic skeletal and muscle structure is actually involved.  I believe the dog that my vet adjusted had hip dysplasia, if I remember correctly.  In any case, I remember her telling me that the adjustments made it possible for the dog to continue to be able to walk.  Since the chiropractor deals with spinal manipulations, there are SOME neurological issues that can be treated, though not necessarily cured.  I was told by my chiropractor that because of the mild Scoliosis in my back that this is why adjustments for me just don't hold very well.  This makes sense, since the muscles have to fight so hard to try to keep the alignment.  The chiropractic treatments do help with my migraine issues.  Yet, at the same time it can't cure the migraine issues.  But, the adjustments do help with the neck and upper back issues, which do help relieve issues stressing the nerves and muscles.  This does help ease the migraine disorder.  I also have a hip issue that isn't ever going to go away but is greatly helped by the chiropractic treatments.  This isn't about me, but since I mentioned the similarity of the muscle/skeletal structure on our cats and dogs to ourselves, I thought I might give some realistic examples that help explain what SassyLassie is referring to.  And, I agree with her, too.  Chiropractic may even be the most helpful while the cat is still a growing kitten if spinal manipulations have any success, even limited success, with the neurological system.  This has been proven with children, too, so there's a basis for me saying this.  And, of course, a lot depends on what kind of issues the poor little kitten was obviously born with.  Still, limited success is better than no success.

[momps61]

I appreciate all the help I have been receiving regarding this situation.  We took Lilly back to the vet on Sat for additional blood work to try to determine what is wrong and what isn't wrong.  She is also old enough now for a flea and ear mite treatment-they say that it could be an ear infection caused by the ear mites that is causing her balance to be off so I guess we'll see how that goes.  I also discussed with the vet about taking her to a vet school-the closest one to me is VA Tech and she totally agreed and said she would call there for me and give an update on her findings thus far.  She continues to do everything normally except be able to walk.  Thanks again for all the support out there-I never knew.

[CML2014]

Momps!

Good News!  Sounds like you are making progress and little Lily is in good hands. Just make sure they do not give her any vaccination shots while she is in this immune compromised condition.

Hopefully it is nothing more than nasty mites.

Keep us posted!
CML

[momps61]

The blood work came back normal so the next step will be a neurologist which our vet will contact the drs at VA Tech to see what they feel should be the next step.

[CML2014]

Can not do any better than you are MOM! Lily will be taken good care of and you will finally know what might be causing these episodes!

Yay for those Vet Schools....and YOUR vet for being so supportive.

CML--we will be waiting on those results too!

[CML2014]

How is Lily doing?? Sure hope she has her balance back and bopping around like the kitten she is??
Let us know what the outcome is!!

Thinking of Lily,
CML

[momps61]

Thanks for your concern.  Lilly is about the same she is getting pretty good though at pulling herself around especially when she has to go to the bathroom she will most of the time pull herself out of her bed.  We have begun using the puppy pads all around her bed and out in the middle of our rec room with newspapers underneath.  If she messes in her bed she will pull herself out as well.  She is able to pull her back feet under her so she can sit up or at least not be laying on her side 100% of the time.  My husband is working on building her a walker type thing that will have wheels on it.  She continues to eat and purr and do all the things a kitten would do except to walk.  I have an appt for her at VA Tech on Sept 1st where they will do an MRI and possibly some other tests to see if they can find out what the problem is.  Thanks so much for your concern. Keeping our fingers crossed for a situation that is treatable but if not we will continue to love and care for her.

[opus88]

What a lucky little girl Lily is to have found such loving parents willing to go to such lengths to try and accommodate her disability....I think you and your hubby are awesome people!!!

I too hope the MRI will give her a treatable diagnosis

Something else you could look into, if it's available in yr area is COLD laser therapy, I've read it can be very healing for animal injuries or conditions, your Vet would know where this is available, many Vet clinics have the equipment

Wish little Lily all the best of luck ahead, keep us posted. Can you post some photos? We'd love to see her

[CML2014]

Boy Sept 1st can't come soon enough, eh??? I'm in agreement with Opus on you and your husband being such wonderful people. All our pets make us Better people, but the Special Needs One is indeed a special gift to us.

We can watch their beauty unfold even through their imperfections...they are always teaching us something about perseverance......and we are so much wiser for it.

Continued prayers for Lily and for you and your husband.
CML

.....and oh yes, Photo Please, she has some big fans here!!

[mysamson]

OMG, what a wonderful story.  Lilly is so blessed with good parents!  Plz post a pic.  It's always the underdogs (or cats) that tug at our hearts the most!!   Hope Lilly continues to improve.

[momps61]

Thanks for the uplifting support.  I have pictures of Lilly I just don't know how to post them-not very computer savy

[AppleBr]

One more at the Lily's fan club -waiting for news and pics.
Not sure if they are loading easily today but just go to upload photos, look for  the ones you have saved in your pc or pendrive,open and send...

[momps61]

Pictures posted

[momps61]

Pictures Posted

[momps61]

Pictures posted

[momps61]

Pictures posted

[momps61]

The news is not good for our little Lilly kitten.  We went to VA Tech yesterday where the people are absolutely wonderful and caring.  They took the time to explain the situation and condition of Lilly.  They talked about possible treatment of her but the bottom line is that part of her problem is in her brain-cerebral tissue is dramatcially reduced, small amt of brain stem and large amts of fluid in the ventricles.  She also has the secondary problem in the spinal cord which may include spina bifida or stenosis of the canal.  They are giving her a steroid that will reduce the CSF production and remove fluid from wht remaining neural tissue she has. Bottom line is even if we could fix the spinal cord issue which there is no guarantee it can be we still have the brain issue which is basically a defect that can't be resolved.  I was told she probably has 2 months to live and during that time we will love her and keep her as comfortable as we can.  Again thanks to all of you who so lovingly have shared in my story.  Thanks for all the great suggestions without them I probably would not have ended up at VT and still would not know what is going on with this precious little kitten.  God bless you all!!