One Hop Forward, Two Hops Back: The Backwards Walk

2012-08-04 14.40.29How embarrassing!  I can barely stand to think about it… the backwards walk.

I had done so well in the weeks following my amputation.  I had started running and jumping with no problems.  Then, almost 2 months post-op, I had my first episode with the backwards walk.  It really upset me and scared my mom because she didn’t know what was happening.  I had been laying on my mom’s bed and when I got up to hop down, it was like I lost control of my back leg.  I hobbled backwards and bellowed really loud.  It scared me so I plopped down on the floor and refused to move.  When I did try to walk, I would start going forward and then hop backwards again.  After I laid there a while, I was able to get up and go about my business like nothing happened.  Mom didn’t know if my other leg simply fell asleep, if something was wrong with my nerves, another tumor, or if I was having phantom sensations where my other leg would have been.  It often looked as if I was trying to use that missing leg, and since it wasn’t there, I’d wobble and get taken off guard.  I had a few more episodes over the next few weeks, especially if I tried changing directions quickly.  It would last a few minutes, sometimes longer,  before I could walk normally again.  Mom did a lot of research and asked other tripod cat owners about this.  The cause is still unclear, but apparently it is a common occurance.  It often happens in the first days or weeks after amputation, but it can happen months later.  Many people believe it is part of the healing process, perhaps involving some type of phantom sensations that occurs as the nerves and tissues are healing… making me think that other leg was still there when it wasn’t.  Whatever it was, I’m just glad it’s gone.  It seems like as suddenly as it started, it went away.  I haven’t had an episode since.  Of course, if you notice your pet doing anything that worries you, don’t hesitate to run it by your vet.  =) 

3 thoughts on “One Hop Forward, Two Hops Back: The Backwards Walk”

  1. Oh Chelle! I am SO glad you wrote about this!!!!!!! Rene (Jerry) asked me to for future kitty tripawd pawrents, but I felt weird doing it because Jilly did NOT do the backward walk! She seems to be the only kitty that didnt!! I kept waiting for it, waiting for it, waiting for it……..I guess I got real lucky? but I had been warned in advance, even saw a video of a kitty doing it!

    and might I say, when I opened this post and saw the first couple of lines to go with that pic of LM, OH MY GOSH I just about died cracking up……..he is TOO CUTE!!!! Can he be jill’s boyfriend please!?

    1. With the backwards walk, I freaked out for a few minutes until I got online and messaged a couple people who experienced it with their cats. I was still concerned, but as I watched LM and saw that he wasn’t in pain and it didn’t happen all the time, I relaxed just knowing that it was a common issue. On the message boards, I probably even read about it before it happened, but it had been months since his surgery. I thought he was past that, so I was shocked to see it. That’s why I wanted to mention it here as well… so maybe the next person won’t be as surprised. =)

      Hmm… boyfriend, huh? Don’t see why not. You think it could work? Ya know… with the whole city girl, country boy thing? lol

  2. Wow that must have been really scary for your people! I’m glad you’re OK. I had no idea about the backwards walk until Jill told us about it, and now you. THank you SO MUCH for being here to share this experience, it will help so many others at some point.

    Hugs to you Little Man! You’re my hero.

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