Question
We had adopted a feral kitten. It was very difficult to get her into our control as she would be scared if we tried to hold her, but we continued to keep her food outside so that she eats it.
After a few months (7 months) she became friendlier. I was very attached to her. She used to stay out whole day and at night slept in our bathroom inside.
One day even after calling a lot of times she didn't come out of the bathroom, When I went inside she was struggling to walk. She had lost control of her rear legs and was trying to drag from the front feet.
I immediately took her to the vet. The vet examined her. I mentioned that she had been attacked by a stray cat on her head a few months ago, but that had healed by now. I was told that she's anemic, and the vet put her on some drips and injection (maybe painkillers) but couldn't really determine the cause of this sudden paralysis.
While she was still on the drips, she dilated her eyes and stretched her legs. The vet gave an answer. I couldn't digest the fact. I called her repeatedly, petted her and with my calls she again started 'meow'ing. I was happy again. She hadn't eaten anything from the day of this sudden paralysis (2 days ago) I went home, she still refused to eat, couldn't move around. She had lost her control of moving. After few hours, she was serious again (dilated eyes, stretched out legs, no response) I ran immediately to see the vet. On the way, she was trying to tell something (it was continuous movement of mouth like chewing) She called out 'meow' twice. She took heavy breaths twice and lay motionless. She just left me.
Many questions were left unanswered. Hope anyone tries answering to it.
How did my kitten who was playful and healthy suddenly become paralyzed overnight?
Why was she anemic even after I fed her the healthiest of foods?
Did the attack on head by other cats affect her so deeply? But that was like 2 months ago and had already healed.
How could she die in a span of just 2 days after sudden paralysis?
She wasn't even a year old. How could she leave me, it's so sad.
Answer
I am so sorry your lost your little friend. I know how bad that can hurt. Outdoor cats (and all animals) often live very harsh and short lives.
There are a number of diseases such as FIP that can affect a cat’s nervous system causing paralysis, spasms and convulsions. They can catch these diseases from other cats, other animals or just the outdoor environment.
Some of them can effect the cat in as little as one day.
If your cat contracted one of these bad diseases they often stop eating, which can cause anemia. These diseases can be fatal. Cats are also not tolerant to starvation at all. They can rapidly rapidly develop kidney disease and failure after just a few days of not eating.
You can take comfort in the fact that you helped this little one survive, and not feel the pain of hunger every day.
Answered By - Beo