Hello all,

My bengal is 10 months old and she is struggling when putting weight on her back legs, to the point where she cannot jump or climb. I took her to the vets who prescribed anti-inflammatory drops. After 1 week there was no improvement so we had her x rayed. The x rays revealed there were no breaks or fractures, so the vet recommended we continue with the anti inflammatory treatment. There has been no improvement (it actually seems slightly worse) and I am hoping someone can shed some light on what may be the issue.

She shows no signs of pain when her legs or lower back is touched, her appetite is fine and her bowel movements are regular (although she does struggle squatting when pooing).

Obviously I will take her back to vet but I would greatly appreciate any feedback from here, as the vet has no idea what the issue could be beyond a fracture.

Edit: The anti inflammatory medicine (metacam) leaflet says do not continue use after 2 weeks, yet this will be the third week of treatment as prescribed by the vet. Is this normal for a vet to dismiss the manufacturers recommendation?

Thanks in advance,

Jason

Thanks Elaine,

She is not steroids yet. Do you think this would be the next logical course of treatment or perhaps an MRI scan? She shows no signs of pain when being examined by myself or the vet, so I would have thought steroids would be the next step.

I just re read this, she is 10 months not 10 years... DUH!!!

OK Bengal Polyneuropathy - needs steroids. Ask vet to contact Prof Danielle Gunn Moore in Edinburgh about this, your vet can run the signs and symptoms past her but this sounds like it.

See viewtopic.php?t=2607 and https://www.google.co.uk/#q=bengal+poly ... hy&qscrl=1

My cat had it when she was young, she was on steroids for about a year and has not looked back.
Do not get biopsies to confirm. Painful and unnecessary.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21689154

Thanks for the reply - much appreciated.

I suspected it was something unrelated to a break or a tear due to the absence of pain when examined.

What preparation is needed with steroid treatment? Will she need a scan or is it more to do with blood tests?

Thanks again,

Jason

Thanks so much for help Elaine, so helpful.

I have booked an appointment with the vet tomorrow morning and will print copies of the information you have given.

Thanks again,

Jason

Quick update:

The vet says an ECG scan may be required to confirm diagnosis but is going to investigate further for alternative solutions.

He was hesitant to prescribe steroids to a young cat if there is alternative treatment.

Fingers crossed for a quick solution!

I did question whether he thought there was a murmur but he insisted that was not the case.

To be fair, he explained this was the first case of probable polyneuropathy he has encountered in a cat, and wants to seek more advice before prescribing steroids.

On another note, I have been researching neuropathological causes, and one is a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin b1). I have looked at the content of her food (Bozita wet food) and the thiamine additive is absent (it also seems to be absent from most cat foods), and after some research I have ordered some Royal Canin food which lists thiamine in its additives. Perhaps this could be a factor in a breed with a predisposition to polyneuropathy?

Update:

Took her to the vets today for blood tests (FID, leukaemia, toxoplasmosis, Diabetes) and a vitamin boost.

The vet said if the tests come back negative (keeping everything crossed!) then we will try steroids to resolve the issue.

She is looking more mobile since the diet change and is still very happy in herself (no lethargy or irritability) - whether the diet change is relevant or coincidence, who knows?

If your vet feels a bit uncomfortable with treatment, I suggest going to see a Neurologist. I have no idea where you're located, but I really would recommend it, my Lilly was on steroids when she was 7 months old, didn't harm her, just made her a bit chubby, but she's returned back to normal now.

Thanks for the response Sazza.

Since the diet change (extra thiamine) she has really improved over the last three days. She has gone from taking a maximum of three steps within an awkward wide and stiff gait to walking with a normal gait (albeit stiffly) without limit. Fingers crossed the recovery continues.

I am based London - was your cat's neurologist based in or near London? (Just in case she regresses)

Thanks,

Jason

I've seen two neurologists now, my preferred one is based at Dick White Referrals (DWR) which is just south of Newmarket, the guys name is Giunio Cherubini.

They have been so helpful up there, no issues with doing a direct claim on insurance and the staff including the receptionists are just brilliant. The whole place is lovely.

I will probably go back up there with Lilly again