Signs Your Cat Has a Herniated Disc and What You Should Do About It

One of the more painful and dangerous problems your cat can develop is a herniated disc. If the issue is left alone, the disc can slip and end up causing nerve damage. Not only is this incredibly dangerous, but it can cause permanent injury. Below are some signs that your cat might be suffering from a herniated disc as well as what you should do about it.

Hunched Over and Poor Posture

If you're cat has started to move around strangely, then you need to take notice. They are likely trying to limit the range of motion that their spine goes through. This is because moving the spine causes discomfort.

Refusal to Jump

Another issue to be aware of is that a cat with disc problems won't want to jump. You might think that this is an issue with the cat's knee. However, in some instances, the issue can be a problem with their discs. The stress when they jump up or down sends shocks through their bodies. This stress not only puts pressure on the knee joints but also stresses out the spine.

Loss of Bladder Control or Even Bowl Control

This is a severe problem that is caused due to the injury to the nerves in the spine. A herniated disc can put pressure on the nerves, and this can lead to a loss of control when it comes to bathroom functions. This symptom signifies that the issue is severe and that you need to have it checked right away.

Screams of Pain

This is an obvious sign that should not be ignored. A herniated disc is terribly painful, and when this symptom is present along with any of the other issues, you need to head to a vet as soon as possible.

Treatment Options

There are two main treatment options. The first involves administrating anti-inflammatory drugs. After the drugs are injected into the cat, the vet will instruct you to keep the cat in a confined space (a carry box or sectioned-off area in your bedroom) so that they don't injure themselves. The drugs might make them feel better, but they will still be vulnerable for a while.

The second method involves surgery. This is for severe cases where there is a risk of long-term damage to the nerves. Your veterinarian will direct you to a pet orthopedic surgeon, such as one from Animal Clinic Of Billings, who will put the cat under anesthesia and then operate. They will then fix the bulging disc and also administer anti-swelling medications. The cat will then need to recuperate in a cage and on a soft mattress.