No it isn't: that was ruled out. We're still not quite sure what it is. For the first time in a week the boy seems a little (and I mean a little) better. We put off the test this morning, but will take him up in the morning for the tests, and also his next scheduled anti-inflammation injection. Vet vists are really traumatic for him and we're trying to minimise them. Here he is, sleeping with his bigger brother a few moments ago. (the cat bed is right next to my desk) Callan
So do we: it's heartbreaking watching this poor boy dragging himself around. I've never known a cat like this one. He is intensely curious and devastatingly intelligent, playful but gentle and has the most childlike naievity and innocence. Add to that stunning good looks and you have a treasure, and one which has chipped it's way into my cold, wizened heart. Callan
After seeing a surgeon we have a diagnosis: Polyneuropathy/ Demyelination and Remyelination. Seems there's a bung gene in Bengals that can cause this. The GOOD news is that he's likely to recover without treatment, and quite possibly fully. The BAD news it that this may recur. So he's home now, and resting with his big brother: poor bugger is tuckered out (and so are we!). He's not out of the woods by any stretch, but this is some progress. Callan
So glad you know what the cause is. I think not knowing why they're suffering is a major part of the stress and anxiety. Hope he gets better soon!
They are gorjus snuggling in bed together Mine get along fine and play together but when it comes to bedtime they fight for same spot and never share it lol.
Very sorry to hear this Callan. I can relate to the rollercoaster of emotions you're going through. Glad you've got a diagnosis at least now. I found this thread on the Bengal Chatter forums: http://phenomi.net/bengalchatter/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=6871&p=132043&hilit=back+legs#p132043 Not a lot of extra info, but something. Our guys have also been impacted by Bengal breed issues too (knee surgery, heart murmur). As you describe, they are such amazing creatures and personalities, but I'm not sure I'll be going the purebred route again.
Thanks. I hear where you're coming from - but I'd still get a Bengal again. We came across that message group thread (and several others) during our research, and it was a help. Well a difficult but hopefully productive day today. After a strong weekend Satai seemed to have deteriorated a little overnight, so the trip to the neurologist couldn't come soon enough. After a long consult with the specialist we left him there for some nerve response tests, which has further confirmed the diagnosis. There is a definitive test, which involves a biopsy of the nerve itself (and then sent to Germany!) but the missus and I are both very reluctant to proceed with that. Since the results of the biopsy would only confirm or disprove the diagnosis but not vary the treatment the both we and the neurologist feel there is little point proceeding down that route. We've a couple of bottles of steroid juice to give him over the next few weeks and in the meantime nurse him, comfort him and hope like buggery it does the trick. The boy has a lot of trouble on the tile floor (most of the 30Sq house is tiled), but my stepdaughter had the brilliant suggestion of a carpet runner. a quick trip to Bunnings - works a treat!. Just take one step at a time. It's been an expensive month Callan
We dare not hope lest it be a false-dawn. On Monday Satai could not even sit on tiles: his back legs would just slide out and splay on the floor and he'd have to be carried. On carpet his claws would fold over and he'd just drag for a foot or so then fall/flop over. Tonight he can walk on tiles - albeit hunched - for several meters, and on carpet can walk a distance - all without dragging his back claws on carpet. He can also get on a low (3") platform - clumsily - unaided. It doesn't sound like much at all, and as I said we dare not hope but this is the first progress we've seen in over 3 weeks. a long, long way to go, though. Callan
Well some news to report: Drastic improvement in his condition. Satai can now walk and canter freely, and the arching of his back is subsiding. Mobility has returned to his tail, which now waves vertically when he walks and offers resistance when stroked down. (formerly it just dragged like a chain: he had no control over it at all ) He is using his litter box normally, and once today managed to get up on a low chair unaided. It is fair to say his confidence is clearly shaken: He's very timid at encountering jumps, even small ones and his legs have lost an awful lot of muscle condition: that will take a long time to return. There are still many questions: will he fully recover?. If he does will this recur - if so, what then? There are still follow up visits to the neurologist and other specialists, so some may yet be answered. In some ways he has born this illness better than Winter and I. He has maintained a childlike innocence and accomodation through all of this, and been absolutely amazing. For example, through all of this he has not toileted ANYWHERE outside of his litter box, even when his loss of muscle control was at it's worst. (I had to wash his backside, though). Sal too has been a marvel, grooming Satai, snuggling up to him and laying off the rough house play. Meanwhile Winter and I have been having fits and sleepless nights - and it's fair to say there have been tears. But all signs so far are positive. His strength returns almost by the hour, and his cheekiness has returned. It will be a long road back to the unholy terror he was, but we can at least now see a path to get there. A pikkie. Salai and Satai - sleeping on their daybed in the soft late-Friday afternoon sun. Poor Satai looks rather motheaten: the shaved patches are where the nerve conduction tests were performed. They will grow back.. They're quite the band of brothers, those two..
That's good news, so glad he's better, I hope his condition doesn't come back like that . Those 2 are so pretty together.
Beautiful photo. Glad he is recovering. Fingers crossed it doesn't return. I have also seen ours lay off the chasing and rough play when the other isn't well or has restricted movement for whatever reason. They are such perceptive animals.
