Cats very seldom suffer from paralysis, when they do it usually attacks the hind quarters, leaving them practically useless. This is sometimes seen in kittens after worm fits, also in cats which have nursed too many kittens, or having stayed with them too long without exercise.

In both these cases the constitution should be well built up. In the case of a nursing cat she must be removed from her kittens at once, if not entirely at least several hours a day, letting her exercise but not jump. She will probably walk lame on all her joints, and become rapidly worse if immediate steps are not taken to relieve her of her maternal duties.

When paralysis occurs through old age the cat had better be destroyed, although warmth may be tried, and good feeding on raw meat.

Never allow cats to lie in damp places, this will produce stiffness of the joints. Gentle rubbing of the limbs and back several times a day will be beneficial.

Paralysis may also be caused by an injury to the spine by a fall, or by being shut in a door.

Place a piece of flannel on the cat's spine and iron lightly with a hot iron, not hot enough to burn the flannel; this is good in all cases.

Opening medicines should be given whenever necessary.

Rickets in young kittens is often mistaken for paralysis, especially when they become lame in all their joints; treatment for this will be found in chapter on rickets.