Got home yesterday morning after being gone for a day and a half and my dear Cosa (aka Little Cat) was limping. I assumed that while I was gone, she'd jumped off her usual perch on top of the stove and had hurt herself, so I made her a little bed on the floor, put her food and water next to it, and willed her to rest up.

We went out for a few hours, came back around 4, and she was hesitant to use either of her front legs. She could go up, and she could go backwards (although only in circles), but she couldn't go forward.

I watched her for a few hours and spent some quality couch time with her. At about 7:30, she was having a really hard time getting comfortable, and she kept looking at me and meowing. It was like she was saying, "Mom? Mom, something's wrong."

So we took her to the vet hospital on campus (7:30 p.m. on New Year's Day; break out your calculators). The first theory was that she had diabetes and had developed acute-onset neuropathy. She also showed some sign of kidney disease. (She's almost 11, so that's not a huge surprise.) They tested her urine and determined that she wasn't in a diabetic crisis, so they decided to give her some subcutaneous fluids (she was dehydrated, quite possibly because she'd been hurt for a day or more and couldn't easily make it to her water dish) and send her home.

But after 20 minutes or so, the vet (who, I swear, is *kid*) came back and said, "Here's the deal. Something really weird is going on." Two toes on her worst foot were purple and cold, and she was actually having problems with her entire right side, not just her front paw.

So then the theories moved toward a possible stroke or that she passed a blood clot. The vet said that she also had elevated protein levels, and that she would be more comfortable keeping her overnight so that she could rehydrate her intravenously.

This morning she's "brighter" according to the vet, but she's still not wanting to use her right front paw, and she's also walking weird on her back legs. (Not on the pads of her feet, but sort of flat-footed -- like on her 'ankles,' or whatever those are called in cats.)

The cardiologist saw her for free this morning because she's "an interesting case." She has some cardiomyopathy and some heart disease (which isn't abnormal for a cat her age). But her left atrium, where clots originate 90 percent of the time, is fine. So it could still be a clot, but the odds are slightly against that.

Last night the vet thought it could be something neurological, but she's moved away from that now. In any case, the neurologist was going to stop by this morning to take a look. (Again, for free, because this is soooooo interesting, apparently. Leave it to my little freak to excite the medical staff.)

It's still possible that she injured herself jumping, and that she damaged some blood vessels in the process. That could explain the purple/cold toes.

It could also be thyroid disease, which would explain everything quite neatly, including the fact that she eats and drinks way more than a cat of her size should. Always has.

So, I'm sitting here waiting for blood test results. Hopefully she'll get to come home this afternoon. Then we'll have to figure out how to help her cope with limited mobility, and cross our fingers that she'll regain the use of her legs.

My brother's cat had something very similar a couple months ago. They never figured out what it was, and she detiorated for several weeks and died. Obviously, I hope this has a different ending, and that they can figure out what's going on with my sweet little monkey.

(((Cosa)))

Big hugs and best wishes Cosa.
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Ooh, so sorry to hear about these troubles for your kitty. It's really hard when you are waiting to figure out what's going on - poor thing. I'm hoping that "expect horses" pays off here and that it's one of these diagnoses:

It's still possible that she injured herself jumping, and that she damaged some blood vessels in the process. That could explain the purple/cold toes.

It could also be thyroid disease, which would explain everything quite neatly, including the fact that she eats and drinks way more than a cat of her size should. Always has

Because they are manageable. You can take good care of her while she recovers; it's good she was "brighter" (my vet loves that word too).

If only they could talk and say "You dimwits, it's [whatever!]"

Anyway, you and the cat will be in my thoughts!

Keeping all of you in my thoughts. Get well, Cosa!

Sending much love and healing energy to Cosa! Get well pronto, little girl.

Hugs to you and Cosa both... it's so stressful not knowing what's wrong with our beloved critters.

Oh, damn, I'm so sorry. Sending good thoughts your (and her) way.

I'm so sorry to hear your Cosa isn't feeling right, and I am sending many many good vibes/mojo your way. It's so hard when they can't tell you what's wrong, and the waiting for tests/diagnoses/etc is excruciating. I was recently listening to an interview with a veterinary surgeon on NPR and he had written a book called Tell Me Where It Hurts, the title of which quite aptly sums up the challenge of medical care for our loved pets.

(((Cosa & mudpuppie)))

The wee beasties and I are sending lots of healing mojo your way.

Hugs from me too.

My first dog had a stroke when she and I were 14 and had to be put to sleep 9 months later.


*hugs mudpuppie and puts white light around Cosa*

I hope it goes well pup. You should ask about the vet setting you up to hydrate her at home. A bag of saline and a hollow needle, some tubing. It's a good tool to have for any old cat, since their kidneys tend to be the first to go, and they get dehydrated.

It's not that hard, and it helps them feel better in a hurry.

((hug))

Yeah, she mentioned on the phone a while ago that she'd show me how to do the subcutaneous hydration. My toenails just about jumped off of my body when I heard it (squeamish!), but hey, I'll do it.

They still don't really know anything. They've decided she's got something infectious or inflammatory, but don't know which. Oh, and the thyroid results haven't come back yet. Appears they only do those tests on certain days. Doc thought Friday was one of them, but couldn't promise it.

She's now seen three specialists for free. I don't know if their fascination speaks to a really high standard of care, or if there's something really, really wrong with her that's bringing people down from other floors.

Going to pick her up at 5:30. And right now, am going to Target to buy a tricked-out cat bed that will hopefully convince her to stay in one place for a while.

Thanks for the support, y'all.

Pebble and I send best wishes, hon. Speedy recovery!

Aww. Man. (((hugs and scritches)))

All our 4 leggers and humans are sending good vibes your way 'pupp.

good thoughts going your way from here!

::hugs::

mojo sent.

Go Cosa go! get better soon!

Lots of healing thoughts sent Cosa's way. big hugs to you both.

Poor kitty. Poor you. I hope she's better and comfy soon.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your kitty and you!! (because we know we get upset when we can't fix them immediately). I hope they find the cause soon and make her better.

Poor little cosa!

Soft kitty whuffles to you and her both...

Aw..feel better soon, Cosa!

Good thoughts and scritches and purrs to you and Cosa. I hope both of you get a chance to rest up tonight.

Sending good vibes your way mudpuppie. It's nice that you've got such a great vet school right there to go to.

Silver, Saffron, and Pesto are also sending good animal vibes since that might work better with an animal. ;)

How's Cosa doing, mudpuppie? I hope there's good news to share.