Licking end of tail, episodes of rear legs not wanting to work??

[MsFirecracker82]

Hi ya'll, been lurking here forever and decided to make an account.
I can't mind many posts with this issue and I plan to schedule an appointment with her in home vet asap (waiting for pay check) and she is also aware of what is going on but is uncertain as to what is happening either.

I have DLH, 2.5 years old, spayed female kitty. She was originally found as a street kitten at 5months roughly, scared for people. Took a while to get her to be okay with my boyfriend and I after adoption. Sweetest girlie. Has been on prozac to help with anxiety for over a year. Within the past several months she started to lick the end of her tail.. A LOT. An absurd amount, not just 'oh hey imma groom myself', like something is bothering her. I've been eyeing it but now, she has had 3 episodes of her back end/legs just not wanting to coordinate with her it seems.

First time it happened, she was playing with her ball and out of no where her eyes got dilated while sitting and she slowly started to turn into a meerkat before tumbling over. I was suddenly a stranger to her it seemed and she attempted to flee from me only for her rear legs.. not wanting to move? She was able to stand but running/walking was difficult for her. After the episode, completely normal again. Like nothing happened.

The following episodes were either caught at the last end or just didn't last long. Second one she just couldn't walk well on her back legs, scared of me to comfort her again (probably just terrified of whats happening to her). Third time was tonight, my boyfriend walked past her and greeted her and she started to reverse backwards like she had not coordination he stated and walked into the wall before hiding under the table for a second and running under the bed (which tells me it was a small episode).

These only last 2-3 minutes tops, but can't seem to get an answer. Side note: I can't pick her up due to her policy of all 4 paws on the ground at all times which is why I have an in home vet come out for her while also drugged on Gabapentin (this time around it'll be a higher dose to sedate her more). I'm just so lost and concerned for my little baby.

Has anyone seen this, heard of this or have ANY suggestions? I've been trying to locate a neurologist that is able to do a telemedicine about it with no luck so far..

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. I am not a veterinarian so. everything I suggest is just what I would do if this was my cat. This is all only my unlicensed opinion.

You will most likely need a neurologist for this. A regular veterinarian can do some diagnostics like blood work. If you do blood work, I suggest you do a Pro BNP as well as a full blood panel. The Pro BNP will usually be elevated in heart disease.

Whenever you have a cat that loses control of the back legs, you do have to consider possible blood clot or transitory blood clot. All the other behavior you explain during the episode could be related to pain.

Of course, neurological is high on the list as well. Does she show any signs of nystagmus? When you look at her eyes, do they dart back and forth involuntary?

There could be a skeletal issue in the rear legs and or spine. This could be a compressed nerve or impingement of the spinal cord that causes severe pain at some times. This could explain the tail licking. Often times cats will excessively groom where they have pain.

Has she been vaccinated and tested for cat viruses?

Has she ever had a tail pull injury? Any injury that you are aware of? Any falls or accidental kicks. (It happens)

Do you have any other animals in the home? Any children? Is your cat indoor only?

Is there anything in the house she could get into? Any plants? Any medications she could get? Any topical medications used, including over the counter things like Rogaine? Any changes in the house that you can think of that happened right before this started happening.

You said she is on Prozac. Has she had any routine blood testing to make sure there isn't any insult to any internal organs since using it. I believe the recommended is blood checks are every 6 months for that medication.

Do you use any flea products? Any insecticides? Do you live in an apartment or condo where there could be rodent or insect control with chemicals?

I know this is allot of questions,

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi, I can't offer anything more than the comments and questions above. It might be helpful if you can capture any of these episodes on video to share with a specialist, whether that ends up being in person or teleconference. I know it will be tough, but try to be prepared at all times to do so.

Update us with what you know when you can, and continue to keep us posted.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Yes, MsFirecracker82 , two words: VET VISIT. A/O.

 

[MsFirecracker82]

Yes, MsFirecracker82 , two words: VET VISIT. A/O.

Yes, I did mention I plan on having a vet come out to see her but I'm waiting for my pay check before hand lol. Thanks I guess?

 

[MsFirecracker82]

Hi, I can't offer anything more than the comments and questions above. It might be helpful if you can capture any of these episodes on video to share with a specialist, whether that ends up being in person or teleconference. I know it will be tough, but try to be prepared at all times to do so.

Update us with what you know when you can, and continue to keep us posted.

Hey, thanks. I work at a vet and had a vet I work with personally take a look at the videos I have. She is also confused to what it could be, the 2 diagnosis she was thinking of sounded like my girl but also didn't. Next steps right now will be radiographs, full blood work up including doing a AChR test to ensure it isn't generalized ag. She plans to also post the video with fellow vets she knows to see if anyone has witness this before. It's odd because she'll only have these episodes for a minute or two, be scared for a moment and be back to her happy self of purrs and wanting to be loved on.

I posted in hopes people have had seen or even had a similar situation because quite honestly, it's very weird!

 

[MsFirecracker82]

Hi. I am not a veterinarian so. everything I suggest is just what I would do if this was my cat. This is all only my unlicensed opinion.

You will most likely need a neurologist for this. A regular veterinarian can do some diagnostics like blood work. If you do blood work, I suggest you do a Pro BNP as well as a full blood panel. The Pro BNP will usually be elevated in heart disease.

Whenever you have a cat that loses control of the back legs, you do have to consider possible blood clot or transitory blood clot. All the other behavior you explain during the episode could be related to pain.

Of course, neurological is high on the list as well. Does she show any signs of nystagmus? When you look at her eyes, do they dart back and forth involuntary?

There could be a skeletal issue in the rear legs and or spine. This could be a compressed nerve or impingement of the spinal cord that causes severe pain at some times. This could explain the tail licking. Often times cats will excessively groom where they have pain.

Has she been vaccinated and tested for cat viruses?

Has she ever had a tail pull injury? Any injury that you are aware of? Any falls or accidental kicks. (It happens)

Do you have any other animals in the home? Any children? Is your cat indoor only?

Is there anything in the house she could get into? Any plants? Any medications she could get? Any topical medications used, including over the counter things like Rogaine? Any changes in the house that you can think of that happened right before this started happening.

You said she is on Prozac. Has she had any routine blood testing to make sure there isn't any insult to any internal organs since using it. I believe the recommended is blood checks are every 6 months for that medication.

Do you use any flea products? Any insecticides? Do you live in an apartment or condo where there could be rodent or insect control with chemicals?

I know this is allot of questions,

Hey thanks for these great questions! I definitely feared for a blood clot as well. Her signs definitely tell me something neurological but I plan to do a full work up on her with a good dose of gabapentin on board (hopefully it works as with 200mg I still wasnt able to pick her up)

She hasn't had bloodwork unfortunately, even when using gabapentin night before and day of, the poor in home vet had a very difficult time even getting near her. So we have been planning on getting bloodwork done to reduce her Prozac and to see if the blood work leads anywhere. I thankfully work in the vet field and shared the videos with one of the vets I work with and she was also confused but feels it could be neurological, if not, cardiology. But definitely unsure.

No kids in the house hold, 2 other cats, they get flea and tick treatment. Also have a air purifier (if it counts for anything). Anything that my cats can possibly get into is put away, I always fear for toxin for absolutely anything. Absolutely no plants, my other cat tries to eat them. I live in a house with my boyfriend, we don't do any pest control due to having working cats outside (we also take precautions when interacting with them and coming inside)

She has been vaccinated and tested, unsure about any previous injury. Rescue did not notice any injuries when she was trapped.

I'm convinced at this point that I have problem cats lol

 

[silent meowlook]

Well, if you work in the vet field, every pet you have will have complicated problems. It’s just the way it is.

With cats that don’t relax enough from Gabapentin, I have seen Trazadone added, which works nicely. But with your cat already on Prozac, there is a significant risk of sick serotonin syndrome and heart arrhythmias. So that won’t work.

I wonder, if you use a house all vet, if they couldn’t give something injectable IM? I know Afaxalone with Midazolam works great together and has the added amnesiac effect, which would be great, and can be given IM. But, without having access to oxygen, it might not be worth the risk.

Then, there is the problem of not being able to do a neurological exam if she is sedated or anesthetized.

Sorry, just spit balling here.

The flea treatments you use, they aren’t
Isoxazoline products like Bravecto, Credelio
Nextgard, Revolution Plus. It is rare but there have been cats that suffered neurological effects from them. Dogs too.

With the Gabapentin, are you giving the night before snd the morning of the exam?

Have you noticed any nystagmus during these episodes?

Will she let you listen to her heart. It won’t help much since it can sound normal even with HCM, but if you did hear a gallop rhythm or a murmer, you might start leaning the way of heart disease.

It is always hard with cats that get so stressed with vet visits. Often the stress of the visit can do more damage than not, especially if no blood can be obtained. Then it’s a waste. But your cat definitely needs to be seen and have some diagnostics done.

Have you checked out the Feline Friendly Practice website for ideas?
Interacting with cats - Cat Friendly Clinic

 

[silent meowlook]

I just reread that you do give the Gabapentin the night before and the morning of the visit.

 

[Kwik]

I'm sorry your kitty is unwell- of course you already understand everything here is purely speculatuon- the first thing that came to my mind was petit seizure,rarely recognized

You have to start with diagnostics to find the underlying condition thst has causes the brains response - heart,liver,kidneys - there's just too many to mention or to even consider ( petit & partial seizures last msybe 20 seconds of no recognition and effect only certsin part of the body which is why it came to mind with you describing the obsessive grooming with the end of her tail and inability or unwillingness to move back legs)......

Blood work,urine,fecal,diagnostics including MRI,CT imaging are a good start- since you work for a Vet would they not make an exception where you can draw blood at home,get a urine sample at home and bring it in for labs until payday ?At least it's a start

So you've had her 2,yrs now ,what happened thst you cannot bring her to a Vet?If I may ask? It would seem alot easier to me to run tests etc

I hate that money makes the world go round and your hands are basically tied because of it( awful feeling,I know it too well) you are in my prayers

 

[Tigger's Mum]

At first, when I read about the excessive tail licking, I thought perhaps a spinal problem like a prolapsed (slipped) disc pressing on a nerve and causing discomfort/pain.

Reading on and looking at the pics, I think neurological. The teller for me was the second pic. Her left eye pupil is much wider than her right eye so I'm thinking either she's having strokes or there's something pressing on the brain like a tumour. I lost my beautiful odd-eyed white cat to a tumour some years ago. He would be fine for a while then he would just fall over and go into a seizure. I was able to rush him to our vet (they're only 15 minutes drive away) while he had one of these episodes. He had Nystagmus. For some time before it got really bad, he could only turn one way, clockwise. He could not turn counter-clockwise. He was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and sadly had to be PTS. Between these episodes he was fine, ate well and was his usual friendly, loving self.

I have had other cats who have had strokes, one being Lucy who was my oldest cat. She had several. Most would only last a few minutes and she was back to normal but the last one she had, it took her a couple of days to recover. As it was, she lived to the grand old age of 23. She simply succumbed to old age. I lost my oldest cat to a stroke a couple of weeks ago. It was a massive stroke and no hope of recovery. He was 19. There's a thread about him on the Rainbow Bridge forum.

Please let us know how your lovely cat gets on.

 

[silent meowlook]

Any updates?