TL;DR: Sudden hind-end paralysis in cats is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention to manage pain and restore circulation. Capturing a quick video or photo of your cat's symptoms can help the emergency team prepare for life-saving treatment before you arrive.
What is hind-end paralysis in cats and what are the most common causes?
Sudden loss of movement in a cat's rear limbs, known as hind-end paralysis or paraparesis, is a distressing condition where a cat can no longer use its back legs to stand or walk. In feline patients, this is most commonly associated with Feline Aortic Thromboembolism (FATE), often called a saddle thrombus. This occurs when a blood clot lodges at the base of the aorta, cutting off blood flow to the legs. Other potential causes include spinal cord trauma, severe disc herniation, or inflammatory diseases of the nervous system.
Is sudden rear leg paralysis in my cat a veterinary emergency?
- Urgency Level: High. Sudden paralysis is a life-threatening medical emergency.
- Immediate Action Required: If your cat is dragging their back legs, crying out in pain, or if their rear paws feel cold to the touch, you must transport them to an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
- Professional Care: This condition is extremely painful and requires intervention to manage pain, assess heart health, and determine if circulation can be restored.
- Outcome: Early treatment is the only chance for a positive outcome.
How can a photo or video of my cat help the veterinary team during triage?
- Movement Video: A quick 10-second video helps the triage nurse differentiate between orthopedic injury and neurological or vascular issues by seeing how the legs are positioned.
- Paw Pad Photos: A clear photo of the paw pads helps the vet check for cyanosis (a bluish tint), which indicates a lack of oxygenated blood flow.
- Clinic Preparation: These visual tools allow the clinic to prepare the necessary life-saving equipment before you even arrive.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Acute paralysis from the waist down in cats necessitates emergency triage. Possible causes include arterial thromboembolism secondary to myocardial disease, spinal column and cord diseases such as congenital disorders, degenerative diseases, inflammatory or infectious diseases, neoplasia, trauma, toxic disorders, and vascular diseases. Arterial thromboembolism most commonly occludes at the distal aortic trifurcation, leading to ischemia of pelvic limb muscles and nerves, resulting in acute, painful paraparesis with an inability to flex or extend the hock. The flexor reflex and potentially the patellar reflex may be lost, with decreased sensation distal to the hock. Gastrocnemius and cranial tibial muscles may be firm and painful, nails may be cyanotic, and femoral pulses may be weak or absent. Serum creatine kinase (CK) is often increased, and Doppler ultrasonography can aid in evaluating blood flow in the distal aorta and femoral arteries.
Chapter: Cardiology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1245)