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O.K., let me start by saying we are going to the vet first thing in the morning.
When I got up this morning Buzz was having trouble walking. His hind end does not seem to want to participate, moreso on the right side than the left. He sits normally and is able to stretch both hind legs for cleaning. I can manipulate both legs without him tensing up and nothing seems to be out of place. I am an animal massage therapist and I am not getting bad reactions from muscle anywhere.
So I started thinking about the last few days and how he has not been jumping up onto my lap but climbing up using his front legs (comfy for me!). He does not get up anywhere else. His food is on the floor, he refuses to get on the bed with me, and he has not come downstairs but once or twice since he came here.
Then I went to clean the litter boxes. The poop machine has not pooped in over 24 hours. Buzz has IBD and poops many times a day. He is passing gas like he always does.
He ate his teaspoon of canned food this morning. He sat on the desk and cleaned my chin & said purr. He rolled in some catnip. He begged for and ate some treats. If I carry him to the litter box he will pee. If I put food/water in front of him he will eat/drink.
Now, if this had been a weekday we would already have been to the vet. Being Sunday and in a very rural area I had no vet to go to. There is an emergency vet over an hour away with good road conditions which we do not happen to have today. I don't think he is in distress.
Anyone have any insight as to what might be going on and how I might make him more comfortable until the vet opens in the morning?
I'd been concerned about a spinal cord problem (disc, tumor etc). This would explain motor issues of lower extremities and bowel/bladder concerns. I would continue doing what you have been doing - carrying him to the litter box, avoiding having him jump/climb stairs. See the vet ASAP. Best of luck and I hope all goes well.
I am so sorry about Buzz...I used to live in a rural area in the snowbelt region of upstate NY, so can sympathize with your situation! I wish I could be of more help here, but this is definitely for a vet. to advise...sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep him comfy until you take him to the vet in the morning. Good luck, I hope everything works out okay!
I don't know what it is. Some things that cause paralysis in the hind quarters include heart disease and embolism (blood clot) in the lower back. Let us know what the vet says.
His x-rays were beautiful, mine should look so good.
Nothing broken or dislocated and nothing growing on his spine.
They gave him an enema and some antibiotics and some steroids. I brought him home then went to work. I just got home & am very happy to report that he is walking! Not quite his normal walk, but walking none the less.
Has the vet checked his bloodwork? Hind leg weakness can be caused by low potassium, high phosphorus, anemia, heart problems, diabetes, kidney disease.
They gave him an enema and some antibiotics and some steroids. I brought him home then went to work. I just got home & am very happy to report that he is walking! Not quite his normal walk, but walking none the less.
Why did they do an enema? Was there poop stuck in there?
Don't steroids work for spine injuries sometimes?
I'm glad he is feeling better!
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