To whom it may concern, <br />My cat is having back spasms. When

To whom it may concern,
My cat is having back spasms. When he has a bad spasm in the back/tail area he will dart off. In addition I noticed him dragging his butt on the carpet a few times? But he does not have anything on his butt? He has a mild case of an upper respiratory infection.

Things I have tried: I took him to the animal emergency clinic in DEN yesterday. And they did nothing for us except charge $90 to say that they had no idea why/what was going on, confirm he had a minor case of an upper respiratory infection(but did not give us antibiotics). I am worried that he is in pain and I do not know what else to do? We keep giving him kitty massages, which he seems to like, but we do not know if this is helping or hurting?
Other misc info: I just arrived home from being on business for 2 weeks. (My boyfriend was taking care of him while I was gone.) I read something about cats having OCD? (My boyfriend works a lot, but he was home every night and still gave Cooper attention?) Is this a possibility?

Please advise what I should do?? I am lost. Is there a specific vet location in DEN that I should take him to??

Thanks in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide,
Summer

Optional Information:
Age: 2; Male; Breed: Short hair

Already Tried:
Took him to animal ER in DEN. They did nothing for us.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Hi there,

All though I am an ocean away in rainy England I hope that I may be able to help or at least give you some advice to follow up on.

The most common reasons for "back spasms" in cats in my experience are as follows:
a)constipation - if the stool is very dry or too large to pass through the pelvic canal then sometimes excessive straining can appear to be spasmodic in nature
b) cats have anal glands too (just like dogs) although we tend not to see to many problems in this dept (unlike dogs). However if teh anal glands are blocked or infected this agin can lead to straining/spasm type actions and also scooting/bottom rubbing like you have mentioned in your Q.
c)Male cats are quite often inflicted by bouts of cystitis in which the bladder and the tubing exiting the bladder become inflammaed. This can trigger spasm that shake the whole back end appearing as back spasms.
d) we could be dealing with a genuine back problem here although typically these are less common in cats. I assume the ER vet ruled out pain associated with areas over the back to rule out more common things like cat bite abscessess and bruising from trauma.

Although I cannot possibly diagnose the problem via the internet may I suggest that you check that he has urinated, defecated, has no obvious swelling on his back or any bruising (part the fur). Of all on the list knowing that he is urinating is the best info as blocked bladders are genuine emergencies.

What I would suggest is that you take him to your vet for a further examination incase any signs not evident before have developed and to see if xrays are indicated to rule out constipation, spinal trauma etc
hope this helps

David

p.s I presume when you refer to OCD you mean obsessive compulsive disorder. I would imagine in this case that this in not what is going on and a more physiological reason is the cause.

Edited by dbrooksvet on March 19 2006 at 6:01 AM

David Brooks is a Royal Veterinary College graduate with experience in all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery.

To whom it may concern,My cat is having back spasms.

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