Pet Forum / Miscellaneous / Animal Health / March 2007

I have a female tabby, left at my front door 2 years ago, that is
probably 13-16 yrs old. While sitting on my bed yesterday she suddenly
flopped over and laid very still for some minutes. She appeared to be
breathing a little shallow so I eventually lifted her to a sitting
position and she immediately curled to the left. She stumbled toward
the edge of bed still curved to the left and started to jump down. To
shorten this a bit, I took her to my vet immediately and after blood
tests, etc. found that her BP was around 240. Weakness in left rear
leg and still curling to the left. I brought her home after a Depo
shot with 2 scripts. One for Prednisone, the other for Atenolol.
Throughout the bight she cried periodically and lay on her side with
legs stretched out titanically. Occasional spasms... Now, this AM she
can't stand up and otherwise the same. She can move all limbs but is
still somewhat spasmodic.
I'm very worried, she spent from 0330 til now in my arms. As long as I
hold her she seems content and reasonably relaxed -- until I move that
is. Can anyone speculate as to her prognosis? I had to hold her while
she drank water this AM and last night she had good appetite for bar-B-
Qued meat I had for dinner. Wouldn't touch her regular food, but then
she has always preferred people food.
I have to leave town in 48 hours and am worried sick that she will not
recover enough by then...

Any help would be appreciated,

Michael