Why is my cat walking weird with his back legs?

If he’s exhibiting signs of hind leg neuropathy, he’ll stand on his hocks, the joint in the back legs that’s similar to human ankles. Your cat might also appear crouched over. The neuropathy results from chronic nerve damage caused by the high glucose levels in his system.

Why do cats walk on hind legs?

Warding off Predators Some cats stand on their hind legs when they are feeling threatened by a predator to make themselves appear as large as they possibly can. So, it is a kind of a survival tactic used by your kitty to ward off predators.

What causes a cat to lose mobility in hind legs?

The most common cause of rear limb paralysis in cats is a blood clot that goes to the back leg, called a saddle thrombus or arterial thromboembolism (ATE). This clot blocks blood flow to the affected limb(s). A clot in the back leg suddenly causes the cat to be unable to put full weight on the affected leg.

Why do cats limp their back legs?

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.

What should a cat’s back legs look like?

The haunches and back legs are sturdy, poised for running or jumping. The entire rear quarters are covered with fur, which may be sparser in the very last part of the tummy. When walking or running, the rear limbs of younger cats should flow smoothly with no evidence of stiffness or pain.

Is neuropathy painful in cats?

In cats, a common cause of neuropathic pain is diabetes mellitus. The result is a weakness in the hind legs which comes from damage to the nerves caused by constant high levels of sugar in the blood. Pain may accompany the weakness, with tingling and numbness in the limbs.

Can cats walk on 2 legs?

Meet Pippin the cat! This special little boy can walk around like a little human on his two hind legs. With a lot of work and patience, not only was Pippin nursed back to health, but he thrived and even learned to adapt to living on two legs and is as happy and playful as any other cat.

What causes hind leg weakness in cats?

Hind leg weakness can occur in cats who have heart disease known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This disease causes a thickening of the heart muscle, which can cause blood clots that interrupt the blood supply to the hind legs, known as feline aortic thromboembolism (FATE).

Can a cat recover from hind leg paralysis?

Acupuncture or laser therapy may help recovery. If voluntary movement, pain sensation, and spinal reflexes improve over 1 to 2 months, the outlook for recovery is good. An Elizabethan collar may be needed to prevent the cat from chewing on its leg.

Why does my cat walk on his hind legs?

If your cat starts walking like a drunk, weak in the hind end, don’t assume he got into the catnip. That hind leg neuropathy indicates he’s probably suffering from feline diabetes mellitus. Take him to the vet for diagnosis and treatment: he should soon be back on all four legs.

How to tell if your cat has leg problems?

Rear Leg Problems in Cats. 1 Lameness (limping) 2 Struggling to stand. 3 Slow or stiff walking. 4 Unsteady back legs. 5 Holding a leg off the floor while standing. 6 Dragging the back paws. 7 Legs giving out or collapsing. 8 Paralysis – unable to move the legs at all. 9 Reluctance to exercise, jump, or climb. 10 Disinterest in play.

What should I do if my cat’s hind legs spread out?

I recommend you schedule feed small quantities to keep her from getting too much at once. Feed no more than 1/8 cup at a time. She may also experience some diarrhea since it is a new kibble, you might want to put her on a probiotic for a while to help with that. How is she doing otherwise? Is she still having the same walking issue?

Why do cats with Diabetes Walk on their hocks?

With diabetes cats walk on their hocks. Definitely not what we’re talking about here. I have one question. Do the paws on the hind legs feel cold to the touch, or are they as warm as the front paws? Low potassium levels can cause hind leg weakness too–were her potassium levels checked with her last blood work?