Another kitty problem-Tigger's stopped bouncing!

[Simba's Mom]

He won't jump up on the counter to get his drink of water from the faucet. He sits, looks up and reaches (stretches), but then he can't get up there, he just meows. So of course, DH or I has to pick him up. He has no trouble jumping down unaided. He used to bounce during play, too, but he's stopped that. Otherwise he's active and seems fine, eating, drinking, everything normal. A couple weeks ago I got up at night and almost stepped on him-this is when it started. So now, DH is convinced that it's all my fault, that I "damaged" HIS cat-I may be Simba's Mom, but DH is Tigger's Dad. I'm about 90% sure this is just Tigger's way of getting attention, but a small part of me does wonder-is it possible that something's wrong? We've both felt all over Tigger's legs and hips and nothing seems to hurt him, thank goodness. But I thought I'd come here once again to see-does anyone else know why a cat may suddenly stop jumping up on things (but continue jumping down)?

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Could he have some sort of arthritis? Although that seems odd to come on suddenly. I have had a kitty who stopped jumping up on things when she had some minor joint pain in her hips. I don't remember if it came on suddenly or not, though.

 

[eclectics]

Just a thought; did you move something around on the counter near the spot he likes to jump. If anything is different it might be throwing him off. If not, a call to the vet can't hurt. Good luck.

 

[MinnieMe2]

As a rule, cats and dogs don't feign illness for attention. In fact, they hide physical ailments until they can't -- the weak member of the pack/family is the one that is picked on, remember.

How old is Tigger? Possibly a vet check is in order.....

 

[CheshireVal]

As a rule, cats and dogs don't feign illness for attention. In fact, they hide physical ailments until they can't -- the weak member of the pack/family is the one that is picked on, remember.

How old is Tigger? Possibly a vet check is in order.....

When I was in grad school, I had a devious siamese (gone now ) who actually faked a limp. Sydney must have thought I hadn't been spending enough time at home with him, so one day I came home and he was limping. I totally freaked out, thinking a repairman had come into the apt during the day and stepped on him or something. I was going to keep an eye on it and call the vet if it didn't get better. Well, the next day I came home only to find him limping on the other leg!!!! Little brat.

To actually answer the OP's question, though, the only time I've had a cat not able to jump on things was, again, Sydney when he was diagnosed with diabetes. He had gotten really lethargic, though, and weak. He would try to jump on things but just kind of miss because he didn't have the energy. If your cat is otherwise acting normal, he's probably okay, but if he seems weak or unusually sluggish, it would be a good idea to take him to the vet.

 

[DVC Kathy]

I agree that, at the very least, a call to the vet is in order.

If it were a minor strain, it should be gone by now.

We're currently dealing with our second diabetic cat, and muscle weakness can be a sign. You usually notice increased drinking and urination first, then signs of lethargy, including muscle weakness.

Our first diabetic cat was always quite willing and able to jump down from somewhere, even when she couldn't jump up.

There are other causes for muscle weakness, some fairly benign, some not so benign, so it's best to see your vet.

I hope this is a temporary issue, and all news is good news.

Kathy

 

[buckylarue]

Had Tigger recently gotten a rabies or feline leukemia vaccinination? Our cat Bessie had an adverse reaction to her rabies shot last year that made her previously mild arthritis flare up to the point that she could hardly walk. We took her to our normal vet, who was going to put her on Prednisone, but we really didn't want to start her on steroids, so we took her to a holistic vet who gave her an herbal supplement for the allergic reation to the shot and started her on acupuncture treatments for the arthritis. We also started her and her older sister on a daily glucosamine and condroitin supplement. It's been almost a year now and they are both running around like kittens again! Hope you find out what's happening with Tigger soon, and that he makes a full and speedy recovery!

 

[janette]

A cat I had rarely jumped and I'd always thought she was just lazy. She started limping and I took her to the vet and they found she had arthritis all down her back and legs. I felt so badly, they said there wasn't much they could do for arthritis in Cats (it was several years ago so maybe more options now). She did okay for a few more years but eventually I could tell the pain was more than it was fair to ask her to endure.

 

[Simba's Mom]

A cat I had rarely jumped and I'd always thought she was just lazy. She started limping and I took her to the vet and they found she had arthritis all down her back and legs. I felt so badly, they said there wasn't much they could do for arthritis in Cats (it was several years ago so maybe more options now). She did okay for a few more years but eventually I could tell the pain was more than it was fair to ask her to endure.

Gee, you should be a vet! I just got back, and sure enough-Tigger has arthritis. And he's only 3 years old. He's supposed to be on glucosoamine and chrondrotin (sp?), and she said he has to lose weight. I told DH and he's in shock-arthritis at 3 years old!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

i have a cat with blown ligaments in her hind quarters. When she relearned to do her stuff post-injury....Getting down came first--and then jumping up came last. Getting down--they can put all the weight on their front legs. She had to learn out to jump utilizing that principle and it took a while. He injury has healed and she cannot bend her hind legs at the "kitty knee" (different name--but i forget what it is). So she has become quite adept at making up for it with her front legs.

I would guess Tigger has an ailment in his hind legs that you may want to get checked out.

 

[buckylarue]

Gee, you should be a vet! I just got back, and sure enough-Tigger has arthritis. And he's only 3 years old. He's supposed to be on glucosoamine and chrondrotin (sp?), and she said he has to lose weight. I told DH and he's in shock-arthritis at 3 years old!

Glad you got it diagnosed and starting to treat it! If he doesn't show improvement with the Glucosamine and condroitin in a month or so, you still might want to check on acupuncture. Our cat Beulah responded to the g/c very well, but Bessie needed the acupuncture too; they are both fine now!

 

[janette]

Gee, you should be a vet! I just got back, and sure enough-Tigger has arthritis. And he's only 3 years old. He's supposed to be on glucosoamine and chrondrotin (sp?), and she said he has to lose weight. I told DH and he's in shock-arthritis at 3 years old!

I got my cat when she was 1yr and I'm pretty sure she had the arthritis from a very young age. She was a little over 10yrs when we did catch it but at that time it was pretty advanced. Like I said, we just thought she was lazy since she never really jumped like most cats do. I had a cat tower built for her and the lowest platform was 2ft off the ground and she needed a stool to get up there. Hopefully since you've caught it early and can slow the damage and the pain.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hope Tigger is feeling better real soon with the meds, Dorothy.

 

[shadow kitty]

wow.. i hope tigger is feeling better soon. i would hate not being able to jump up on things, i like to sit on the microwave when daddy(froggy) is cooking and watch him. and if i couldnt jump i couldnt get into that big soft bed of his either, itsreally high... i am glad you took tigger to the kitty dr too. i like my kitty dr . he always makes me feel better.