Conference misery::feline_v1

    I have the really dim recollection that a nutritional deficiency can
    cause something like this.  I may be remembering incorrectly.  I
    have the equally dim recollection that it might be insufficient
    calcium?
    
    Is it that the leg doesn't support her weight, or is the leg
    actually curled up in a spasm?  Could it be a pinched nerve
    or something like that?
    
    Are xrays planned if the antibiotics don't work?
    

    My memory is hazy - does anyone remember what the other substance
    is that is involved in neural transmission besides Potassium.
    A nerve impulse is actually a switching of these two chemicals
    from inside to outside of the nerve.  Is it Sodium or calcium???
    Anyway an imbalance of either of these, in either direction (too
    much or too little) can cause problems with neural transmission
    sometimes resulting in muscle spasms.  Something makes me think
    that calcium has this effect.
    
    I'm far from a vet, but I think I'd be a bit concerned about a
    blood clot too.  
    
    Good luck and let us know how you make out.
      Nancy DC
    

    Hi,
    
         My mother's cat went through a period last week when he would walk
    and then, all of a sudden, it was as if he couldn't move his back leg. 
    She took him to the vet and found that he had fallen and dislocated his
    hip (he is home recuperating).  Does this sound like what Dejavu is doing?
    
                                    - Andrea

    Here is the latest on Deja (my poor baby).  The vets didn't find
    anything other than a temp of 104.  She is currently on anti-biotics. 
    Of course the whole time she was there, the leg problem didn't happen. 
    Of course she was in the cage (under her towel) 90% of the time.  They
    did take her into a room and let her roam around for a little while but
    nothing happened.  They did check her body and leg for any
    abnormalities and found none.  Just the fever.
    
    About 1/2 hour after I brought her home, it started happening again. Of
    course I knew it would.  I felt so bad for her when she was in the blue
    room and it happened.  Storm, the new dog in the house, happened to be
    there also and wanted to check Deja out.  She felt SO threatened.  She
    is using her carrier as a cave/den and I brought it into the kitchen
    where Storm is not allowed to go.  I should have locked her in my
    bedroom but just now thought of it.  Will try to remember to call my
    daughter when she gets home from school.
    
    The problem with the leg is hard to explain.  It looks just like when
    someone gets a charley horse and the pain is excrutiating.  I can't
    tell if she is in pain or if the leg is going numb.  It lasts for a few
    minutes and then she can walk again.  The poor darling has such a
    confused look on her face and keeps looking to me for help.  
    
    As to x-rays.  If the problem doesnt go away by the time her medicine
    is gone or if Deja gets worse, they will do blood-work and x-rays.  I
    am supposed to see an improvement withing 24-48 hours.  This morning
    made 22 hours.  If she isn't better by Thursday I will be calling the
    vet again and bringing her in.
    
    I really wish I knew how to help her.  I feel so helpless.
    
    Sandi  mom to THUNDER, LIGHTNING, STORM and DEJAVU too
    
    

    Sandi - if she doesn't get any better be sure you push your vet
    to explore a few other possiblities - like electrolyte imbalance
    or someother problem.  Sometimes I think the doctors - animal and
    human alike - just try to put us on antibiotics if they don't have
    any more handy explanation.  It can be quite frustrating.
      Give little Deja a pat for me.
      Nancy DC
    

    
       "New dog"?  could it be a nervous reaction to the dog?  If she feels
    threatened, maybe that's how she is showing you her displeasure,
    especially if it was a dogless household till recently.  Is she going
    to the bathroom ok?  That could be a clue, too.
       I would still have some tests done to be sure, but from what I've
    seen, kitties can show stress in strange ways, just like us.
    
                                             Denise

    I wonder if it might be an allergy reaction to something if it only
    occurs in your home. Have you been using any new household products,
    for example? Or is there any chance that it might have been her
    food that upset her?
    I hope she's soon better, anyway. 
    Julie

    Pesticides out in the yard or at a neighbors?
    

    Another update on Deja. 
    
    In answer to the last few replies...
    
    Deja is an in-door only kitty.  Storm is the new dog in the house but
    Keisha had been there for five years.  No new products in the house. 
    She is eating Truimph cat food, dry and canned, and has been for the
    past 6 months.  I have just started giving them a new treat but it
    hasn't bothered the other 2 kitties.  I don't give it to them every
    day.
    
    Deja does seem better.  She isn't walking as stiffly as before and the
    *spasms* didn't happen last night or this morning.  
    
    I'm hoping that the anti-biotics have something to do with her feeling
    better.  Maybe there was an infection in her leg or hip area that
    couldn't be detected by feeling her body.  I am going to keep a good
    eye on her for at least a week to make sure.
    
    Sandi
    
    

    
    
    Oh I'm soooo glad she is feeling better.  I met Deja, (and Thunder
    and Lightening, and Storm) this weekend!!!  Deja is so sweet, Thunder
    is a real snuggle bunny, she gave me a hug and she didn't even know
    me!!!  Lightening is very regal, but did consent to *allow me* to
    say hello and pat her.  Storm is just beautiful.
    
    Keep us posted Sandi, Panther & Spot are sending a get well card
    and a box of sardines :-)  
    
    Feline better,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    
    
    
    
    
    		I  HATE SARDINES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    		SEND TUNA OR SALMON INSTEAD...
    
    
    Sandi mom to THUNDER, LIGHTNING, STORM and DEJAVU too
    
    Boy, you described my babies to a *T*.  Snuggle bunny is right.....
    
    

    
    
    Boy Sandi, you'd take the sardines right out of the patients mouth!!
    
    They are intended for Deja, after all Panther could not be persuaded
    to part with any of her chocolate stash, (She LOVES chocolate,)
    and Spot could not be persuaded to part with any Pizza Money, so
    they got Mom to send sardines.  If Deja doesn't like them we will
    try sending a cat toy instead!!
    
    Or mabey Panther will just call the Limo service and visit with
    Champagne and cavier and a good book.....
    
    Hope Deja is Feline Better,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    
    

    I like Panther's idea better.  I know the sardines are for Deja but do
    I have to SMELL them too.
    
    Deja is doing so much better.  She is rough-housing with Thunder and
    begging for treats.  She even begs for me to play with her
    
    
    			at midnight of course.
    
    I am really glad to see her back.
    
    Sandi
    
    

    
    
    Sigh....You would like Panther's idea, I have a feeling that she
    and Pookie Mccurdy will be using the Limo this Sunday to visit the
    sick friend.  Meowwww, just send the bill to my Mummie, and don;t
    forget to stock the car with all of our favorite treats, Fresh salmon,
    cavier, cream, Champagne, it will be a genteel party, Meowww.
    
    Feline Expensive,
    
    Panther & Spot & Sue
    

    Another update on DejaVu.
    
    It's happening again........
    
    Saturday and Sunday Deja had leg spasms again. Will keep you updated.
    
    Sandi
    
    

    
    Sandi,
    
    Is she still on antibiotics?  or has the medication stopped?
    
    Have you tried excersising her gently, pulling a string for her
    to follow, to see if she is favoring the bad leg?  Is she lying
    around the house more than usuall??
    
    Lots of questions, but I'm worried about the little sweetheart.
    
    
    Feline concerened,
    
    Sue & Spot & Panther (if she were speaking to me)
    

    Sue,
    
    Yes, she is still on medication.  We did miss a day and a half because
    it takes two to give Deja medicine.  One to hold the cat and all ten
    paws, and one to hold head and give medicine.  Daughter wasn't
    available and the ole wrap-in-towel trick doesn't work with her.  I
    didn't see it happening this morning but will keep an eye on her
    tonight.  
    
    I have noticed one thing thou.  It seems to happen more often right
    after she eats (she doesn't eat much at each sitting).  I am feeding
    Triumph both canned and dry (low ash and low magnesium).  If she is
    still doing it on Wednesday, I'll be singing * to the vet, to the vet,
    to the vet,vet,vet * again.
    
    And I thought she was all better..........
    
    Sandi (confused mom to THUNDER, LIGHTNING, STORM & DEJAVU too)
    
    

    
    
    Hi Sandi,
    
    It could be that the break in the medication is what caused the
    spasms to re-appear.  See if she doesn't get better after 24-48
    hours with continous medication.  If she does, CALL your vet and explain
    that she had a break of about 36 hours in her medicine and that
    the spasms came back, he may want to lengthen the time of the
    prescription to be sure that what ever is causing this is gone.
    
    Do you think crouching at the food bowl is aggrivating her leg?
    Keep an eye on how she walks, and check to see if one foot feels
    colder than the other also, does one hip seem higher than the other
    when she is standing or eating?.  See if gentle follow the string excersice
    helps or hurts her.        
    
    Feline frustrated too,
    
    Sue & Spot & Panther (I Still haven't been forgiven)
    
                                                 

    Latest on DejaVu is the fact that she *seems* to be doing fine.  She
    has been off the pills for one week tomorrow and *so far* no spasms.
    
    I am really *knocking on wood*.......
    
    I saw her playing with a toy last night and she races down the hallway
    and she is playing with Thunder.
    
    It is so nice to see her doing all these things.  
    
    Thanks gang for all the support.
    
    Sandi *grateful mom*