Shifting lameness and weight loss.

Dr. Marie replied:

Hmmm....this is an unusual case.

The fact that we have limping combined with potential respiratory signs and weight loss certainly makes a heart problem along with a blood clot a distinct possibility. However, what doesn't fit is that the limping is changing from leg to leg. It would be extremely unlikely in my opinion that three limbs would get blood clot problems.

It's interesting that things were better after having the baby aspirin. But I am thinking that it was the anti-inflammatory effect of the aspirin that helped and not the anti-clotting effect.

There are no common issues that I can think of that would cause the symptoms that you are seeing in your cat. But, I can think of a few relatively uncommon ones.

Arthritis is a possibility. Usually we'll see changes on xrays consistent with arthritis but not always. Arthritis is not really common in a cat of this age though.

There are some infectious types of arthritis such as mycoplasma arthritis. You could ask your vet if this is a possibility. If it is a possibility then they may consider trying a course of an antibiotic called doxycycline.

Another possibility would be some type of lymphosarcoma (cancer). This type of cancer could be an explanation for the potential lung mass and the weight loss. It is not common for it to affect joints, but in theory it's possible.

It's also possible that there is some type of autoimmune disease present. However, I couldn't find many cases of autoimmune arthritis in cats.

Another possibility to ask your vet about is some type of fungal disease. A lesion in the chest along with shifting joint pain and weight loss could possibly be a sign of histoplasmosis. Histo is not common in all areas though so your vet can help you decide whether this is even possible in your area.

This is not a "normal" case. But, if this is a fungal or a mycoplasma infection then there is a good possibility that a cure can be found. Your vet will likely need to do more tests though.

Hope things work out ok.

Dr. Marie.


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