Expert: Jessica - 6/14/2010

Question
QUESTION: Our male cat, Jake, age 15 years has always been healthy except for dental/gum problems since birth that we never did anything about.  One or two weeks ago,  he began exhibiting the following problems.  1)  left hind leg would occasionally either stick out straight (obviously outside of his control) or collapse so that he could not walk on it. In between these instances, he could walk normally.   2)  Brown crusty exudate, on inside corner of each eye (drainage that has dried?). I would just wipe this off each day.   3)  He seemed to be overly hungry and ate whatever was offered to him, including table scrap meat.   As of about two days ago, symptoms have worsened as follows.  1)  Left hind leg is limp at the foot/ankle.  When he puts it down, he sometimes walks on the top of his foot because he cannot control the foot and put pad-side down.  The foot feels cooler to the touch than other limbs.  2)  The iris (colored part) of one eye has turned brown (used to be green).  3)  He does not want to eat or drink as of today.  I did get him to take a little water and lick a piece of cheese.  I know his days are likely numbered but he does not appear to be in pain at all.  From my on-line reading, it sounds like a circulation/heart problem. I'm holding out hope that he can recover from this situation.   Is there any medicine or homeopathic treatment we can give jake to make him more comfortable or help him heal if he has had a stroke or a vascular blockage?  We have not given him shots, except for rabies, over the past 14 years.  We love him very much but realize that it may be his time and can accept that if there is no hope.  THANK YOU SO MUCH IF YOU ANSWER MY QUESTION.

ANSWER: Hi Karen.  As you probably know since you have specifically inquired about it, homeopathy consists of a combination of natural treatments and western medicine, unlike holistic medicine, which uses small doses of strictly natural elements to treat ailments.  With such serious symptoms, I believe Jake does require the benefit of western medicine, and most certainly, a proper diagnosis would be needed before any treatment could take place.

Cardiovascular problems, namely a blood clot, are certainly a possible issue here.  Most often, this will cause hind leg weakness and coolness to the touch in both legs, but much less commonly, a smaller blood clot may make it to a smaller blood vessel and result in those symptoms in just one leg.  I would also be concerned about cancer, because it's possible for a tumor to block blood flow and cause these symptoms, and cancer will also cause a change in the color of the iris.  Also, cancer that causes this type of paralysis seems to be much less painful than a blood clot, which is agonizing, and Jake doesn't seem to be in much pain.  Another concern might be high blood pressure, brought on by hyperthyroidism, can cause heart problems, leading to a blood clot.  And high blood pressure can also cause a ruptured blood vessel in the eye, causing a change in eye color.  Hyperthyroidism also causes an increased appetite.  This condition is quite treatable with a prescription pill or cream each day.  It does not explain the sudden loss of appetite itself, but the secondary high blood pressure or heart disease may.

The eye drainage I am not terribly concerned about at this point, as this could be due to allergies or inflammation from whichever condition has caused the change in eye color, but is usually treatable.

However, I would very strongly encourage a vet visit, because I do think you might be dealing with something treatable.  And I feel prescription treatment will be required if you are facing cardiovascular problems, thyroid problems, or something else, but quite honestly, something serious.  If it is found to be something untreatable, I think the kindest choice you can make is to put Jake to sleep peacefully.

I hope all goes well.

Jessica



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

QUESTION: THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR RESPONDING ABOUT JAKIE.  If there is any hope of real improvement, I'll take him to a vet tomorrow.  My hesitation is that from past experience, vets want to do many high-tech, EXPENSIVE tests.  I don't want to go through $1000 in tests only to be told there is not really anything that can be done.  Death is part of the circle of life and if it's his time to go, so be it.  However, I guess I'm not ready for a vet to tell me that the best thing to do right now is to put him down.  It's just too sudden when a week ago he was rolling on the driveway in the sun enjoying himself.

The curious thing, to me, about Jakie's condition is that it changes.  One minute his leg collapses and his paw bends back, the next he can walk on it (although not with force).  He was also walking on the backs of his front paws this morning but not this evening.  Also, today he ate some meat and gobbled down some feline greenies in addition to drinking a lot of water.  So, because of this, I do not see him on his absolute  last leg (no pun intended).  Also, if he has cancer, I would expect to feel a lump somewhere which I don't.  It could be more external or diffuse, I guess.  I'm pretty sure the eye has been bleeding internally because it looks more reddish now and is effecting the entire eye (white and iris).  Realistically, I'm probably in denial I guess about his chances of pulling through.


Thank you again for your time and advice.  It has been a great help to me and a comfort.  

Karen

Answer
I certainly know the feelings you are going through.  Cats are so sneaky when it comes to hiding things and giving us mixed signals!  It's very difficult to accept it when our beloved cats are diagnosed with a serious illness when they have appeared so healthy up until a couple of days ago.  And yet, they can appear so ill and still be treatable in so many other cases.  I hope you get good news at the vet, but know that Jakie has lived a long life and has obviously been very loved if his condition does not appear to be a treatable one.

Jessica