Cat walking funny and now has diahrea

Question
One of my cats, hes probably around 1 1/2 years old now, white tabby and big. He weighs probably anywhere between 15-20 pounds and has been neuterd.

Anyways, yesterday i noticed he has started to walk funny like his back legs and now he has diahrea and is starting to hide. I know that when cats get sick they usualy hide. He usually dosent hide, hes the big lazy type of cat that will roll on his side and sleep anywhere.

The worst part about it is we had just had to get one of our other cats put down yesterday because of kidny faliure at the age of 11. I dont want to lose my big fat opal now too, any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Blair.  I'm so sorry to hear about your poor kitty with kidney failure.  My sincerest sympathy to you and your family.

As for Opal, time to get him to the vet.  Both symptoms are worrisome.  It could be the stress of losing your other kitty caused the diarrhea.  Cats can sense when another is terminally ill.  But there are other possible causes that would need to be treated with antibiotics, such as bacterial and protozoan infections.  Additionally, cats can suffer bouts of colitis, which usually requires steroid treatment, antibiotics, and added fiber to the diet.  There are viral illnesses that can cause diarrhea, and while not treatable, a special bland diet and sub-q fluids to prevent dehydration are often recommended.

What concerns me most is that you have noticed problems with his back legs.  Certainly, obesity could have to do with that.  Fat cats can even get arthritis very young due to heavy wear on the joints from bearing all that weight.

But the first thing that comes to my mind is diabetes.  This is extremely common in cats.  Yours is a little young, but if he's obese, he's at extremely high risk for this disease.  Chronic high blood sugar can damage the nerves along the spinal cord and cause a loss of control of the hind legs, known as diabetic neuropathy.  If the cat's blood sugar is controlled with insulin promptly, this often goes away.  But prolonged high blood sugar can cause permanent neuropathy.  Diabetes can also cause diarrhea.

There are other critical things that can cause this:

A saddle thrombus - a blood clot lodged in a major artery that supplies blood flow to the hind quarters; somewhat common in cats; may be cured with blood thinners or surgical removal of the blood clot

A fibrocartilaginous embolism - it's believed that a piece of cartilage from the spine breaks off and blocks blood vessels in the spinal column; does not cause pain; rare, in cats, however; may possibly be treated with steroids

A tumor of some sort pressing on nerves - may be operable in some cases or shrunken with a steroid, depending on the type of tumor

Toxoplasmosis infection - some studies suggest upwards of 80% of cats have been infected at some point; curable with antibiotics

Feline leukemia or feline AIDS if he goes outdoors or has not been tested - neither is curable and both are contagious

Feline infectious peritonitis - nasty viral disease that may affect the neurological system; not treatable, always fatal, but rather rare

Dehydration from diarrhea - causes electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to muscle cramps, and worse, heart failure if not treated

I know these things sound scary, and indeed, they are!  It could be Opal is suffering from something as simple as a fever, which is causing his muscles to be sore.  However, with such serious possibilities, it would be a good idea to get him right to the vet.

Best wishes!