Why Is My Cat Walking Funny On His Back Legs?


cat limping

May Indicate a Veterinary Emergency If you notice your cat limping, it could be an injury or other medical condition impacting a muscle, joint, bone, paw, or other tissue Cat limping can result from trauma like jumping, falling from a high surface, or being hit by a car.

Why are my kittens back legs wobbly?

These kittens may have

cerebellar hypoplasia

Often referred to as ‘wobbly kittens’ or ‘wobbly cats’, cerebellar hypoplasia is an unusual neurological disorder as a result of interrupted development of the brain, leading to

uncoordinated movement

or ataxia.

Why is my kitten suddenly having trouble walking?


limping calici

is a form of the virus that causes sudden limping and lameness While any cat can develop these symptoms, it is far more likely to occur in kittens due to their underdeveloped immune systems. It is also sometimes seen in recently FVRCP vaccinated kittens who are having a reaction to the vaccine.

How do I know if my kitten has cerebellar hypoplasia?

The most typical symptoms are jerky or uncoordinated walking, swaying from side to side when trying to walk, a goose-stepping gait called hypermetria, mild head tremors, and/or intention tremors Intention tremors are tremors that occur when the kitten intends to make some sort of movement.

Does wobbly kitten syndrome go away?

While this condition has no treatment or cure , it usually does not cause cats any serious or harmful effects. “These cats can live long and healthy lives; they just look a bit funny when they walk around,” Mankin said.

What can cause a cat to walk funny?

  • Middle-ear or inner ear infections.
  • Disease or injury of the spinal cord.
  • Damage or disease of the central nervous system.
  • Neurological disorders.
  • Cancer.
  • Tumors in ear canal, especially in aging cats.
  • Exposure to specific drugs or toxins.

How long are kittens wobbly for?

3 – 5 Weeks : Walking and Using the Litter Box While they start out wobbly and unsure, as balance begins to improve during the fourth week they become more confident and eager to explore their surroundings. This is a good time to start kitten-proofing your home if you haven’t already done so.

Why does my cat walk like he’s drunk?

It’s likely your cat is experiencing an issue with her vestibular system The feline vestibular system is essentially the balance center of her brain. When something is amiss in this complex web of nerves and synapses, she’s likely to become dizzy, disoriented, and have trouble with

muscle coordination

.

How long do cats with wobbly cat syndrome live?

Cats and kittens with CH can lead a very normal, happy, and healthy life. It does not affect their life expectancy and many adapt exceedingly well to their disability. If you find yourself lucky enough to welcome one of these lovely cats into your life we would love to partner with you in their care.

What causes lameness in kittens?

There are many possible causes of lameness and it is usually associated with traumatic injury, but can be associated with inflammation, wear and tear, infection, or less commonly cancer, vascular disease, toxins or immune mediated disease affecting the bones, muscles, skeleton, tendons, ligaments, joints or nerves.

What is kitten ataxia?

Ataxia is the word used to describe a loss of coordination and balance that affects your cat’s head, limbs, and/or torso Ataxia is caused by decreased sensory function of the nervous system, which in turn can be caused by a wide range of diseases.

Can kittens sprain their legs?

Kittens can get sprains and strains by falling or jumping off of a surface in the wrong way Swelling, whimpering and excessively licking an injured body part are symptoms of a soft tissue injury. Anti-inflammatory medications, a splint or a bandage may be needed to treat an injured kitten.

At what age do kittens walk normally?

Most kittens start walking around 3 weeks of age , but take a little longer to gain their coordination. You can be comfortable saying a kitten who is walking pretty well and playing is at least 4 weeks of age.

How do I know if my kitten has brain damage?

  • Seizures.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Abnormal posture or irregular movements.
  • Ear or nose bleed.
  • Bleeding inside the eye (involving the retina)
  • Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes (cyanosis); a sign that oxygen in the blood is dangerously diminished.

What is wobblers syndrome in cats?

Cats suffer from a similar condition called wobbly cat syndrome or Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH), which is a neurological condition that occurs when the cerebellum fails to properly develop and causes serious balance issues The condition is congenital and cannot be developed later in life.

Why is my kitten limping but not in pain?

Owners may be perplexed as to why their cat is limping but does not appear to be in pain. Limping is usually a reaction to an injury or abnormal anatomy , and your cat may or may not be in pain. The limp can affect one or more legs and can be chronic or intermittent.

How do I know if my cat has hip dysplasia?

  • Avoiding exercise or physical activity.
  • Excessive licking or chewing of the affected area.
  • Limping.
  • Difficulty getting up and moving.
  • Sudden reluctance to use the litter box (if it has high sides, it can be hard for cats with joint issues to get in and out of the litter box)

How do you fix swimmer’s syndrome in kittens?

Kittens grow fast. Very fast. The key to fixing Swimmer Syndrome is to make sure that the joints and ligaments of the affected legs are held in the correct position as the kitten grows The joints and ligaments will then grow in the correct position and this should correct the Splayed Leg Syndrome.

Is it normal for kittens to be clumsy?

In some kittens, symptoms aren’t noticed by the owners until eight to 10 weeks of age ( all kittens are clumsy when very young , but those with cerebellar hypoplasia don’t grow out of it). Other, more serious conditions can initially be confused with cerebellar hypoplasia.

How long does kitten calicivirus last?

These symptoms can persist from five to 10 days in mild cases and up to six weeks in more severe ones During the course of the illness, opportunistic bacterial infections can also occur. Cats may lose weight, and the infection can also cause abortions in pregnant cats.

Is it normal for kittens to limp?

Cat limping is usually caused by some sort of trauma such as falling off a high perch or getting hit by a car Trauma-related injuries include strained muscles, broken bones, open wounds, and ligament and tendon tears. If your cat has this type of injury, you may see swelling, cuts, or bruises.

How long is limping calici contagious?

Are other cats in the household at risk of infection? A cat that has a calicivirus infection will be infective to other cats during the incubation period and for at least 3 weeks after developing symptoms.

References


https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cerebellar-hypoplasia-in-cats

Cat Limping? Possible Causes and What to Do



8 month old kitten started walking funny, not using back legs properly 🙁
by u/thedirtylimey in Pets




https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/health/disabled-cats/cats-with-cerebellar-hypoplasia