All of a sudden yesterday morning my cat seemed unable to move. He just layed in his carrier and wouldn't move, he looked dead but I picked him up because he urinated on himself sometime during the night because it was already dry. When I picked him up he was so listless, he felt like he was dead but he opened his eyes and was breathing but just let his head and legs go limp. He is 13 years old and I thought maybe he had a stroke because I tried to stand him up and he couldn't and just fell over. There were no signs the night before and I took him to the vet and the vet said the tests were all normal and he shouldn't be acting this way and he couldn't stop purring when the pet touched him. He will lift his head up to eat food but not water so he's dehydrated and we have medicine for him. But does anyone know what may have caused this. The vet said he is a long way from the end of his life and everything is really good, but he looks like he is going to die because he won't move or stand up.

frangipanis

poor baby... i have no idea, but it sounds distressing for you and your cat.

Would like to know how he is keeping over the next few days.

bushg

I don't have an answer for you but get back on again we have a vet that gets on sometimes maybe she will have an idea. I will send her a pm in case she signs on, to be sure she see this post. Btw I am sorry and hope all ends well.

KalFour

I don't know what's wrong with him. But use an eye-dropper or similar to keep him hydrated.
I had a pet do something similar the day before she died, but it was due to complete organ failure, combined with arthritic pains. If you don't have anything showing up in test results... well, it wouldn't be that.
Does he seem to be in pain if he's touched in any particular area?
It's possible that he's pinched a nerve in his spine and finds it painful to move. A severe middle ear infection might also cause a balance problem, making him not want to move. But then, a vet should have checked for that.
Have you checked him for bite marks? Prod him gently all over to see if he's upset being touched in any particular areas.

Take care of him, and of yourself.

Kal

carolbcac

A stroke is a possibility, and would account for the sudden onset.
Older cats often become weak due to low potassium levels, but usually don't come on this fast.
Do his hind legs feel cold? Cats can throw a blood clot that cuts off the circulation to different parts of the body. The most common place is in the aorta where it divides in two to go down the hind legs. If it happened further up, it could involve all four limbs.
The pinched nerve suggestion above is a good one also.
Does he hold his head to one side?
Have you noticed any unusual eye movements--for example both eyes moving side to side?
Purring in cats is usually associated with contentment, but they will also purr when in pain or very anxious.
This may be a case where you want to ask your vet for a referral to a specialist, or at least seek a second opinion.
Let us know how he is doing.