Amy, I've had several FelV cats with back leg problems, and they seem to know when it's time to stop climbing stairs or trying to jump up on things. I'd let him do what he thinks he is up to doing. To restrict him would stress him, and this is always bad for FelV cats.
Lorrie On 07-23, Amy wrote: > Wondering if people would offer an opinion. My cat, Wolfie, has > rear leg weakness that is getting progressively worse. He's been > seen by numerous vets and it's not going to get any better. I'm > guessing the leukemia is finally getting the best of him. > > Anyway, I'm just wondering how much I should let him do. Initially > my vet said not to restrict him, that letting him use the muscles > was good for them. He is now starting to stumble or sit more > often. He doesn't totally fall over or anything, just gets a bit > wobbly or sits down. If he's on linoleum, he has much less > control of his legs. He is still jumping up and down on my bed, > eating, purring, laying on my chest, going up and down stairs, > etc. I don't want him to get hurt and him doing the stairs makes > me so nervous. On the other hand, I don't want to restrict him > out of fear. I talked to the receptionist at the vet and she said > if it was her cat, the stairs would be off limits. This will be > so tough because I have 3 other cats, 1 very shy one that hides in > the basement and only comes out when my son is sleeping. I would > have to force her to stay in the basement or out of the basement > (as opposed to having access to the cat door in the basement > door). The last thing I want is to see Wolfie get hurt but I > can't seem to think that if he gets to a point where he can't do > the stairs, he will stop doing them. Is that foolish? He is such > an opinionated, strong-willed cat and I know he will not be > pleased if I restrict him in any fashion. > > Oh and he doesn't have to do any stairs. He has food, water, and > litter on all floors. He just chooses to. > > Thoughts? > > Thanks > Amy _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
