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?

[zodiacqueen]

First off, she jumped out of the window-how high up was it?  She could've landed wrong and broke her neck.  That makes the most sense to me!  Grant it, cats usually land on their feet, but NOT always.

Take care, I imagine you must be totally devastated by this!!  My heart goes out to you.

Hugs
Staci

[KittyMcD]

Thanks for commenting and for your kind words.  As I mentioned (though on re-reading my question I guess it wasn't clear) she escaped through a ground-floor window.

[zodiacqueen]

Darn, I was hoping that would've explained it!!  I have no clue what could've caused your cat's death.  The only thing I can think of is a possible poisoning.  I've never heard of a poisonous mole.  I have had cats bring me these mole "gifts" in the past, and nothing has ever happened.  Unfortunately, the gifts have been brought in alive.  I'd rather have the dead "gifts" lol.

You should try the "ask a vet" forums also on medhelp-ask her what she thinks.  The vet seems very cool and really sweet.  I don't blame ya at all for wanting some kind of answer.  I promise you, the pain will ease with time.

Staci

PS-Sorry, I just reread your post and I did see you had said ground-level window,  oops.

[KittyMcD]

Thanks, Staci.  I'll ask the vet on Med Help as soon as I can.

[zodiacqueen]

You're more than welcome! :D  I'll be watching for your thread when ya post!!!

[lindi623]

Hi Kitty -

It may not be the mole.  I had the very same thing with my 4 year old cat, Wesley.  I have been researching the internet trying to figure out what may have happened (I didn't want an autopsy done - it was just too hard for me to do).  

He came upstairs and went limp on the landing, eyes wide and limp as a cooked noodle.  He coughed twice when I  brought him downstairs to get him away from my other cat that was having a fit over him.

I feel as though I need to have an idea of what happened, but I can't find any disease that specifies complete paralysis like that.  I think he was gone in the first fifteen minutes but I drove around with him looking for help (not knowing that our emergency vets were between 25 and an hour away) for two hours knowing by then that he was long gone.

If you find anything out, please let me know.

[KittyMcD]

Thank you for writing.  As I mentioned in my original writing, I too have looked and looked for information regarding my Sophie's sudden-onset paralysis and subsequent death but to no avail.  I am sorry you have experienced the distress of a similar loss.  If I do learn of a possible explanation for these symptoms I will gladly pass it on to you.  Again, I am very sorry for the loss of your dear Wesley.

Sincerely,
Lori

[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.

[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.

[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!!!

[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.

[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?  

[mylifeiscat7]

Hey..i just wanna let u know that my cat passed away yesterday. He was so weak after some hours saw him under my car and i called him and he didnt respond so i went the other side and saw that ma cats eye was open and he was paralyzed and he could only breath and when i touched him he just cried and after 2 min he died i dont know what is the reason ifu can help me pls help me find out the reason for my cats death pls

[mylifeiscat7]

Hi i just wanna know what happened to my cat,3 days before he was not that healthy he vomited once and he started to stop eating less and after that day my cat got blind and was saying meow continusly and after that day i called him and he didnt respond i checked everywhere atlast i found him i called him but he didnt respond but he was breathing and when i turned to the other side his eyes where open wide and he was not blinking still he was breathing i tried to pull him but he cried and after 3 min he passed away!pls letme know what is the reason

[mylifeiscat7]

Well he became paralised and he even could not close his eyes and he died pls anyone help me to know the reason

[CML2014]

Hi Mylife,

This answer can apply to all of the above questions on Paralysis and death of the cats mentioned.
Botulism is a major cause of poisoning that comes from a cat eating spoiled or infected meat from an animal (rodents). After the cat injest some of the blood or meat the botulism will spread through the body beginning at the back legs and finally entire body.

If your cat is free roaming and begins showing signs of paralysis , caught in time there may be help. So always immediately get your cat to emergency when you see this beginning.
Unfortunately it can also come from cardiomyopathy, spinal cord injury or infection and a host of other conditions. The only way to at least hope for an answer if immediate transport to emergency. When transporting, be sure to place a board--even ironing board , cutting board etc under the cat to prevent.
further damage if it is a direct cause of a spinal injury .
It is so difficult to see our babies in this condition, but staying calm transfers calm to your cat at this time and that is important.
Since the brain , spine, nerves and muscles all have to communicate in tandem with the brain any injury to any of these areas may set paralysis in motion. Veterinarian care is the only thing that may give you an answer and prevent further determination. So any paralysis is an EMERGENCY. The longer you wait the more chane your pet may not make it.
CML

[CML2014]

Hi Mylife,

This answer can apply to all of the above questions on Paralysis and death of the cats mentioned.
Botulism is a major cause of poisoning that comes from a cat eating spoiled or infected meat from an animal (rodents). After the cat injest some of the blood or meat the botulism will spread through the body beginning at the back legs and finally entire body.

If your cat is free roaming and begins showing signs of paralysis , caught in time there may be help. So always immediately get your cat to emergency when you see this beginning.
Unfortunately it can also come from cardiomyopathy, spinal cord injury or infection and a host of other conditions. The only way to at least hope for an answer if immediate transport to emergency. When transporting, be sure to place a board--even ironing board , cutting board etc under the cat to prevent.
further damage if it is a direct cause of a spinal injury .
It is so difficult to see our babies in this condition, but staying calm transfers calm to your cat at this time and that is important.
Since the brain , spine, nerves and muscles all have to communicate in tandem with the brain any injury to any of these areas may set paralysis in motion. Veterinarian care is the only thing that may give you an answer and prevent further determination. So any paralysis is an EMERGENCY. The longer you wait the more chane your pet may not make it.
CML

[Gmjc1259]

My cat Nicquo died all of a sudden last night.  He was sitting by me on the couching begging for a fruit loop, he didn't like people food at all but wanted to play with it.  I heard 2 painful sounds and looked beside the couch on the floor and he was laying on his side.  He only made those 2 noises.  I fell to the floor  to see what was wrong with him.  I tried to stand him up cause I thought he had a hair ball and was being lazy.  His body was limp as a noodle but warm.  His eyes were big, lifeless and glossy looking.  I'm petting him, kissing him and talking to him for what seems to have been a eternity, but had only been a couple minutes.  He coughed or gasped 2 times. I tried to do cpr but it didn't help.  I was so hysterical that when I tried to feel if his heart was beating I couldn't tell.  Nothing on his body moved at all.  The last sign of life were the 2 coughs or gasps.  I layed in the floor with him for almost an hour trying to see if he was alive.  I think I was in denial.  At some point he lost control of his bowels and noticed he had peed on himself too.  I called Animal Emergency and they said he was gone.  It was just really hard for me to accept.  We buried him a couple hours later.  All day today I have had a sick feeling that he might have still been alive just paralyzed.  If anyone has gone through something similar please let me know.  He was such a blessing to me and my kids since we adopted him 12 years ago.  I am so grateful that he was my baby and that I got to be part of his life for that long, but it just doesn't seem long enough.

[opus88]

Im so sorry for your loss, its never easy to loose a pet but especially hard when its sudden and unexpected.
I am pretty sure what happened is a cardiac arrest. this can happen even to what appears to be a healthy kitty, same as with us.
Aside from the loss and the shock, rest easy in the thoughts he went suddenly and suffered very little if any pain. he was with you up to the end, in a loving home
Yes they are a huge blessing to us for the brief time they allow us to share their lives....RIP dear little Nicquo. you were loved and will be always remembered xoxox

[Gmjc1259]

Thank u for your kind words.  I'm trying to remind myself of the blessing he was and be thankful for the time I had.  When I adopted him I had a one yr old female cat.  The vet said he was too young to b fixed so I didn't worry bout her getting pregnant.  A short time later they had four kittens.  I never got rid of any of them because I instantly grew attached.  Two yrs ago one of Nicquos babies passed similarly to his dad.  I still have momma cat she's 13 and three of their babies who are 11.  Im so thankful I have them.  They remind me of him everyday.  

[Midiguana]

We just had this exact same thing happen to a 4 year old in door only cat that was healthy and lively. We found her paralyzed and eyes wide open dilated unresponsive. Today she died ????

[Luvrinacl68]

I lost my dear cat Jasmine to this two days ago.  She appeared to be acting normal all day until around midnight when I found her in the kitchen by the refrigerator unable to move her legs.  I immediately picked her up and placed her on the bed and begin calling around for a pet emergency clinic.  It's unfortunate that our town had none and the closes one was 50 minutes away. She died on the way to the clinic.  This illness strucked her briefly and she only lasted less than three hours.  I am so heartbroken because I had her for over 16 years.  She was my baby and she loved me unconditionally.  She would stay by my side and follow me with joy in her eyes.  She didn't have to suffer the way she did.  I would never forget the look of confusion she gave me before she passed. I would always love her.

[ianmorr]

My cat just died.The whole day he didnt show up to eat.A couple hours ago we were calling him and he was nowhere to be seen.15 minutes went by and we heard loud meow's coming from the stairs , we saw him drooling all over the place while meowing in agony.He was strugling to move his back legs.We put him a comfy place and started stroking him.His eyes were open and his pupils dilated.An hour later he was completly paralyzed and was having seizures.A bit later he past.If anybody knows what was the cause of death please leave an answer.