Expert: Karen Craft - 2/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: i have 2 male cats. one is 11 years old the other is about 4 years old. the younger of the two a few weeks ago started acting like his back end was hurting him and now the older one is doing the same thing. i haven't changed their diet. they still eat well and drink well. but don't want to move around a lot. i really can't afford a vet at all. i am so worried about both of them. please help.

ANSWER: Hi Beverly,

I need more info before I can help you. What exactly are they doing and when do they do it? The more detail you can give me the better. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: they both act like their back end around their hip area hurt them. the younger one stays upstairs all the time were before he was always wanting outside but now he doesn't even want to go outside. we have a baby gate up going into our kitchen. the older cat yells loudly when he tries to go over it. so we cut a hole in the bottom of it so he doesn't have to jump or pull hisself up over it. we have put food and water upstairs for the other one because he doesn't like to come down and go over the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs. they act like they are in pain. the younger one wants to sleep all the time. they both still eat good and both still go potty good.  

Answer
Hi Beverly,

Because of the difference in their ages you could be looking at a few different things that can be wrong with them. It could be arthritis. It could be hypokalemia (low blood potassium). It could be polymyositis, a muscle inflammation. It could be something else.
You really need to get them to a vet. Try to find one who will work with you. I found one by me that will take payments. Call around and see who will help you. But get them to be checked out. If it is arthritis you can treat them at home inexpensively. If it is the low potassium they will need shots then pills for home. And if something else your vet can help you. Good luck and let me know what happened.

Ciao, Karen