Pet Health Community

Hi Anon_10219,

Please do contact your vet or a vet emergency room if you think that your pet is ill enough to require immediate medical attention. Please don't wait for an online reply from our vets if you think that your pet is ill after surgery. Remember that it's not possible for any pet to be diagnosed or treated over the internet.

Won't you write back and let the doctors know how your cat is doing after seeing your vet?

Good luck!

- Annie

While there may be something else going on with your cat, it's more likely her problem is related to her surgery. The most common complication of declaw surgery is an infected toe. Since this is not a sterile surgery (it's not possible to sterilize this area) infections do sometimes occur. If that's the case, it should respond quickly to antibiotics.

Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP
The Cat Doctor
Board Certified in Feline Practice

I am sorry, but I could not figure out how to send this to you via this website w/out going through another person's question. I do apologize for the incorrect protocol, but I am in need of help. Please know I believe in our vet n(a wonderful man who has increased our other cat's lfe to 21 yrs with good quality), but he is stumped to some degree re: specifics.

My persian cat is suffering from what appears to our vet to be something neurological. The cat's hind legs slide around & are difficult to use. He previously walked wobbly, with one front foot crossing over in front of the other. he appeared to wobble equally from side to side, ut now seems to have most difficlty w/ left side (front) & both back legs (they sread out from under him). Our vet said his ears do not appear to be irritated or have signs of infection, ruling out inner/middle ear issues affecting balance. He has done blood tests and ruled out anemia, etc. He gave him a short acting steroid about 2 wks ago & we saw a little improvement; he then gave him a longer acting steroid on Tuesday, 03/30. It appeared to help somewhat; the cat was walking more, still had some hunching down in his hind quarters. The cat lost 1 lb between Dec, 2009 & 3/30. He lost another pound between 3/30/10 & 4/2/10. We took him into the vet on 4/2 due to discharge resembling diahreah. Vet found him to have a large stool, he sedated cat & helped him move it. At that time, cat's bladder was full & vet had to asist to drain cat's bladder. Since we have had cat home from Fridy, 4/2 mid morning & today, 4/3 11:40 AM, he is able to sit up, can stand up w/ some challenes for a drink next to him or food treat (Whiskas cat treat). He has not moved from the towel he is sitting & lying on. He has not urinated or deficated. He is alert, can localize to sounds, our calling his name, etc. He does not have labored breathing. He does not appear to be in pain. He does meow when we pet hind quarters, but he has done this intermittently as long as we have had him. Doesn't sound like deep distress, but could be mild. The cat was a stray we found almost 3 yrs ago, so we have no age or history.
Our vet feels this (diahrreah, full bladder) could be result of neurological issue progressing & affecting colon & bladder. That perhaps cat is older than originally thought.

Do you have ideas of what this could be? treatment options? Is it possible for a cat to have diahrreah due to vestibular or w/ HCM (but cat has no labored breathing)? PLease know, I have great confidence in our vet. We just have unanswered questions & I need some helpmsince I have never had to put a dear pet to sleep before. He seems so alert, aware & fine when sitting-not in discomfort, but if it is likely he will not be able to get off the towel, I do worry about his quality of life. We are not adverse to doing things to care for him (in such case as spinal injury) if it can be done w/out stress for him. Thanks for listening to a very sad, what probaly seems like somwhat of a silly person. Any help you can offeris so appreciated. Thanks for your Reply!

My cat is doing the exact same thing with the exact symptoms that starting last week...Have you figured the problem at all?