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Tue 29 Jan, 2008 07:12 am
My cat george, who is about 6 and otherwise in good health, has been having a strange ailment recurring on and off over the last half year or so. He walks like he's stiff and hurting in his rear legs and/or hips, and has trouble jumping up on, or down off of, chairs and things.
He had already started to stop showing symptoms of hurting by the time our vet appointment came up, but we took him in anyway, and sure enough the vet said since he seemed to be alright now, it must have just been a pulled muscle or something.
But is happening again right now. He's acting like his rear legs are hurting. I wonder how I can get a better diagnosis done - I used the military vet office before (cost negligible), so am I gonna have to bite the bullet and pay big bucks to find out what's wrong? Anyone ever have this kind of thing with a cat?
Hi snood.
Sounds almost like an arthritic condition a much older cat of mine had, years ago. But six years old is much too young for something like that, surely?
Yep, I'd ask around for a reputable vet & get another opinion if it was me.
Good luck.
It would be uncommon in a cat, but he could have a disk herniation -- he's certainly old enough for one.
Does he carry his hind end lower when you notice he's uncomfortable? If his hocks (the joints immediately above his hind feet) are down as in the picture below, it usually is a sign of diabetes, which can cause hind limb weakness. The symptom can come and go, and may go away when the cat is excited/aggravated (like when he goes to the vet's office).
Maybe you should try that Dr. Frank's stuff. He says it works.
Maybe you could be on a TV testimonial.
I defer to patiodog, but my first thought was the same as msolgas.
Cat's hide pain well, so may only be showing it on days when the pain's worse than usual.
Good going in pursuing this, Snood, and best to George.
Let us know how it goes, snood. (And a big hug for George!
)
I'm calling another vet tomorrow (one with a good reputation). If I ain't willing to cough up some dough for my boy George, I don't know what's important.
Stinky says yer OK in his book... :wink:
snood wrote:I'm calling another vet tomorrow (one with a good reputation). If I ain't willing to cough up some dough for my boy George, I don't know what's important.
That's right.
Just like if georgie found you dead in the bathroom, he'd wait at least 2 hours before checking out what you tasted like....
OK, kidding (even though all of us know that's true, cat's are always looking at "What's in it for me")
You are right though, you're responsible for your boys, their lives are worth more than material things.
snood wrote:I'm calling another vet tomorrow (one with a good reputation). If I ain't willing to cough up some dough for my boy George, I don't know what's important.
Good on ya, snood!
Besides, the anxiety of not knowing what the problem actually is (while observing an animal in obvious pain) can be really upsetting.
And our critters depend on us.
How's Georgie now, Snood & what did the vet say?
I know what my vet would say.
"When it comes down to it, it's just a cat".
cjhsa wrote:I know what my vet would say.
"When it comes down to it, it's just a cat".
Really? Most vets I've known would be interested in finding the cause of the problem, cjhsa. And treating it, unless that's not a good idea, for some particular reason.
msolga wrote:cjhsa wrote:I know what my vet would say.
"When it comes down to it, it's just a cat".
Really? Most vets I've known would be interested in finding the cause of the problem, cjhsa. And treating it, unless that's not a good idea, for some particular reason.
It is just a matter of financial consideration. He's just saying, it might be easier for everyone involved to just get another cat. Including the cat.
cjhsa wrote:msolga wrote:cjhsa wrote:I know what my vet would say.
"When it comes down to it, it's just a cat".
Really? Most vets I've known would be interested in finding the cause of the problem, cjhsa. And treating it, unless that's not a good idea, for some particular reason.
It is just a matter of financial consideration. He's just saying, it might be easier for everyone involved to just get another cat. Including the cat.
Yes, I can see a vet saying (in particularly difficult circumstances - like a serious illness in old age, or a disease being so debilitating that there's not much to hope for improvement) - that it might be best to to put an unfortunate animal down ... but honestly, I've never heard one say "It's just a cat." or "It's just a dog."
Then you're going to a pickpocket, not just a vet.
I know that people will spend a fortune trying to fix up a family pet. Michigan is severly depressed and a lot of folks will spend money with their emotions that really can't afford it. A responsible vet should remind you of that, perhaps by saying, "it's still just a cat, not a child".
I certainly would never go to a vet that says "It's just a cat" and I can't imagine many people would continue to see him either.
It's just a cat, dog, horse, cow, bird, iguana, etc.
Isn't that what this person has chosen to do for a living?
Especially in snoods case, where it doesn't look like it's something immediately life threatening.
Frankly, when someone shows me their new Lexus, what goes through my mind is "It's just a car", but then, I haven't chosen to sell them, or be a auto mechanic.
Pickpocket? There have been many times I've felt the same way about people who sell jewelry, cars, "gourmet" food, as well as some artists, musicians, actors.
Some people would plunk down a couple hundred for the privilege of sitting amongst a thousand other people to hear someone sing for 90 minutes.
I'd rather spend it on my 4 legged family members.
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