Rear Limb Weakness

Generalized weakness can be a warning sign of heart disease. Your pet may be unable to walk or stand, walk unsteadily, or walk with a limp. In pets with heart disease, weakness is caused by a diseased heart pumping less blood to the body and the muscles.

Cats with heart disease can develop a sudden onset lameness or paralysis, essentially a sudden inability to move a limb. 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. The cat may be vocalizing, usually a sign that the leg is painful. The leg might feel cool to the touch. The clot usually affects both rear legs, but can affect only one rear leg, a front leg, or other parts of the body.