Sudden onset paralysis and subsequent death in feline

[KittyMcD]

The other  night my kitty got outside for the first time in the three-plus years she's been with us.  I was unaware that she'd gotten out but when I found a big dead mole on the floor by her escape route (a torn window screen), I tossed the mole outside and began calling her name.  I initially noticed the mole when I heard what sounded like a low gutteral growl coming from the ground-level window with the torn screen, so after calling her name a few times I looked out that same window and to my horror there she was, lying motionless just outside the window!  I ran out and picked her up and she was completely limp but warm; her eyes were wide open and her pupils dilated.  We rushed her to the emergency vet and although they tried to revive her, she died shortly after we arrived.  She made no sounds and remained motionless during the entire 25 minute drive to the ER.  She had no signs of external trauma and, except for pale gums, looked completely normal.  The vet thought perhaps she'd had a stroke, and I've read online of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as it relates to paralysis, but I can't help but think her death was a result of something that happened to her outside.  I know she was only out for an hour or two--long enough to kill that huge mole, bring it in the house and go out again.  Could the mole have had anything to do with it?  The vet doubted she'd ingested poison as the paralysis was too sudden and there were no signs of vomiting.  Snake bite was another thought that crossed my mind but we live in Western Pennsylvania and I don't think there are any very deadly snakes here.  Do you have any suggestions?

[Momof5ncounting]

   I have just noticed my cat, Khandi, just sitting on the floor in the basement two days ago. I have her food/water bowl and litter box down there...she prefers it, and has full reign of the house via cat-door that is never locked. I went to feed her the other morning and she didn't come to her bowl like she normally does. Rather, she just sat there, meowing at me. I walked over to her, pet her, and motioned for her to come. She tried to get up, but couldn't. I took her to the vet right away. They did the check up and took X-rays, just for nothing to be found wrong. She was just paralyzed from the waist down. No signs of pain or injury. She is a healthy 11 year old cat otherwise. No signs of a stroke (eyes not dilated, pulse normal, temp normal, etc.) I can't afford to take her to get an MRI done or surgery, plus at her age...not sure if it would benefit her. She pulls herself along well with her front feet. I am just so worried that if she doesn't get better, I may have to put her down. This is no way to live. She is normally a very friendly cat. Has anyone else had this happen, or similar?  

[help_my_kitteh]

I also live in western pa, and until recently had 5 cats. I had been letting them out in my neighborhood like several of my other neighbors do. About two weeks ago I found a dead shrew( a tiny mole) that they had caught and "gifted" me. Last week I found another, half eaten. Now there is a nest of them on my property living in a hedge, so I'm pretty sure that's where they caught them. That being said, I know I never poisoned or baited these shrews.

Three days ago my oldest cat came home and spent the day inside. A couple of  hours later I noticed that he was acting weak and having a hard time walking. I tried to separate him and get him to eat after he started vomiting liquid. After a few hours he was unable to stand up. He started having seizures shortly after that. Hours later my neighbor informed me of another of my cats was trapped under a car. I retrieved the cat only to find it to was paralyzed and suffering from seizures. Shortly later they both passed.

Now I have the other three cats inside, and two of them were in since two days before this started. One of those two started showing signs of losing coordination in its legs.

I immediately bathed them and separate them in different rooms of the house. I was suspicious the the first two had come in contact with a toxin of some kind and had spread it. the last two cats seem to be fine at the moment but I am watching them closely. In the morning I am taking the sick one two the vet and hoping for some kind of good news.

While searching for answers I found this thread and your story is too similar to mine to be mere coincidence. Also, at first I looked up poisoning, and all these symptoms fit ingestion of arsenic, and other neurotoxins commonly used in pesticides. Onset can be sudden, as well as delayed.

[help_my_kitteh]

I also live in western pa, and until recently had 5 cats. I had been letting them out in my neighborhood like several of my other neighbors do. About two weeks ago I found a dead shrew( a tiny mole) that they had caught and "gifted" me. Last week I found another, half eaten. Now there is a nest of them on my property living in a hedge, so I'm pretty sure that's where they caught them. That being said, I know I never poisoned or baited these shrews.

Three days ago my oldest cat came home and spent the day inside. A couple of  hours later I noticed that he was acting weak and having a hard time walking. I tried to separate him and get him to eat after he started vomiting liquid. After a few hours he was unable to stand up. He started having seizures shortly after that. Hours later my neighbor informed me of another of my cats was trapped under a car. I retrieved the cat only to find it to was paralyzed and suffering from seizures. Shortly later they both passed.

Now I have the other three cats inside, and two of them were in since two days before this started. One of those two started showing signs of losing coordination in its legs.

I immediately bathed them and separate them in different rooms of the house. I was suspicious the the first two had come in contact with a toxin of some kind and had spread it. the last two cats seem to be fine at the moment but I am watching them closely. In the morning I am taking the sick one two the vet and hoping for some kind of good news.

While searching for answers I found this thread and your story is too similar to mine to be mere coincidence. Also, at first I looked up poisoning, and all these symptoms fit ingestion of arsenic, and other neurotoxins commonly used in pesticides. Onset can be sudden, as well as delayed.

[HelpinUtah]

OMG - my prayers are with you hun!  I hope and pray you will be able to find out what is happening and that he will recover!  Prayers headed to your babies way!!!

[KittyMcD]

I am so sorry about your kitty.  It's hard enough to lose our sweet pets suddenly, doubly hard to lose them gradually, especially when they're suffering and we're unable to render aid.  Will keep you and kitty in my prayers.  God bless.

[presquevoo]

My cat has been hit by sudden paralysis, maybe not as sudden as yours - started last Thursday, it's Sunday (July 4th) now, and it seems to have been progressing so that he cannot stand up anymore.  I've taken him to the vet, and one possibility is cryptococcosis, a fungal/yeast infection that may have spread to his brain.  He has a bump on his nose, and has suffered his whole life with respiratory problems.  Also, he's Siamese, and originally from Southern California, which makes the fungus a more likely suspect.

I don't know what's going to happen next.  It's so awful!  Will he snap out of it?  Will I just find him still?

So sorry for your losses.  Wanted to put forth one possibility...dunno how quickly this fungus acts once it hits the brain.

My cat has no other symptoms aside from some slight dehydration, probably from not getting to the water as often as he normally would.  Now, I'm forcing it on him as much as I can!

I'm scared that my story will have a sad ending as well.